Bottom-up effects of streambed drying on consumer performance through changes in resource quality

Mas‐Martí, Esther; Sanpera-Calbet, Isis; Muñoz, Isabel

doi:10.1007/s00027-017-0531-6

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…The lower fungal biomass found under intermittent flow conditions also influenced the lipid content, as demonstrated in other studies (e.g., [9,19,45]). Flow intermittency determines a reduction in the total and essential fatty acids in leaf litter [19,47], which influences its quality. Müller-Navarra et al [48] found that the contents of lipids, such as fatty acids, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, is essential and can limit consumer growth, reproduction, neural development and trophic transfer efficiency.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quality and quantity of leaf litter: Both are important for feeding preferences and growth of an aquatic shredder

Arias-Real¹,

Menéndez²,

Abril³

et al. 2018

PLoS ONE

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The study of leaf litter as a resource for shredders has emerged as a key topic in trophic links in ecology. However, thus far, most studies have emphasized the leaf quality as one of the main determinants of shredder behaviour and growth without simultaneously considering the leaf quantity availability. Nevertheless, the combined effects of leaf quantity and quality on shredder behaviour and growth is particularly crucial to further understand how ecosystem functioning may respond to the increasing flow intermittency due to climate change. In this study, we explore how changes in the leaf litter quality and quantity influence the feeding preferences and growth of an invertebrate shredder (Potamophylax latipennis). To do so, we used black poplar leaves conditioned in two streams with different flow regimens as a food resource. Afterwards, using a microcosm approach, we offered leaf discs that varied in terms of leaf quantity and quality to P. latipennis. Our results showed that flow intermittency had a negative effect on the quality of the food resource, and a lower quality had a negative effect on the consumption and growth rates of P. latipennis. Furthermore, we found that P. latipennis fed selectively on higher quality leaves even though the availability (quantity) of this resource was lower. In the context of climate change, with higher aridity/drier conditions/scenarios, our findings suggest that a decrease in the availability (quantity) of high-quality resources could potentially threaten links in global fluvial food webs and thus threaten ecosystem functioning.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quality and quantity of leaf litter: Both are important for feeding preferences and growth of an aquatic shredder

Arias-Real¹,

Menéndez²,

Abril³

et al. 2018

PLoS ONE

Self Cite

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“…When flow regimes become intermittent, the lack of water can impede microbial and consumer colonization of POM, resulting in decreases in decomposition, the extent of which is related to the duration of the drying (46,63). Consistent water cover is therefore important to decomposition, and thus shifts toward lower flows when litter inputs are high (e.g., in the fall) can have a large impact on consumers and associated food webs (63,64).…”

Section: Hydrology Influences Decomposition Via Consumersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Linkages between flow regime, biota, and ecosystem processes: Implications for river restoration

Palmer

Ruhí

2019

Science

443

271

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River ecosystems are highly biodiverse, influence global biogeochemical cycles, and provide valued services. However, humans are increasingly degrading fluvial ecosystems by altering their streamflows. Effective river restoration requires advancing our mechanistic understanding of how flow regimes affect biota and ecosystem processes. Here, we review emerging advances in hydroecology relevant to this goal. Spatiotemporal variation in flow exerts direct and indirect control on the composition, structure, and dynamics of communities at local to regional scales. Streamflows also influence ecosystem processes, such as nutrient uptake and transformation, organic matter processing, and ecosystem metabolism. We are deepening our understanding of how biological processes, not just static patterns, affect and are affected by stream ecosystem processes. However, research on this nexus of flow-biota-ecosystem processes is at an early stage. We illustrate this frontier with evidence from highly altered regulated rivers and urban streams. We also identify research challenges that should be prioritized to advance process-based river restoration.

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“…We observed very slow leaf litter decomposition rates associated with a reach that experienced substantial riverbed drying over three months, variable water quality conditions during that time, and significant changes in associated macroinvertebrate communities. Indeed, in the sampling reaches that did not experience dry phases (perennial and perennial with flow variability), leaf litter decomposition was faster, with flowing water that likely allowed natural colonization by bacteria and fungi, making leaves more palatable for macroinvertebrates [53,54]. In the sampling site where dry events occurred, desiccation may have influenced the conditioning process and, consequently, reduced biotic decomposition activity [55,56].…”

Section: Leaf Litter Decompositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Flow Intermittency Affects Leaf Decomposition and Benthic Consumer Communities of Alpine Streams: A Case Study along the Po River

Gruppuso

Doretto

Falasco

et al. 2022

Water

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Streams and rivers are becoming increasingly intermittent in Alpine regions due to the global climate change and related increases of local water abstractions, making it fundamental to investigate the occurrence of supraseasonal drying events and their correlated effects. We aimed to investigate leaf litter decomposition, the C:N ratio of the litter, and changes in associated macroinvertebrate communities in three reaches of the Po River: One upstream, consistently perennial, a perennial mid-reach with high hydrological variability, and an intermittent downstream reach. We placed leaf litter bags of two leaf types—chestnut and oak; both showed comparable decomposition rates, but the remaining litter mass was different and was attributed to the C:N ratio and palatability. Furthermore, (1) in perennial reaches, leaf litter decomposed faster than in the intermittent ones; (2) in intermittent reaches, the C:N ratio showed a decreasing trend in both leaf types, indicating that drying affected the nitrogen consumption, therefore the conditioning phase; (3) associated macroinvertebrate communities were richer and more stable in perennial reaches, where a higher richness and abundance of EPT taxa and shredders was observed. Our results suggest that the variations in the hydrology of mountain streams caused by global climate change could significantly impact on functional processes and biodiversity of benthic communities.

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Bottom-up effects of streambed drying on consumer performance through changes in resource quality

Cited by 6 publications

References 65 publications

Quality and quantity of leaf litter: Both are important for feeding preferences and growth of an aquatic shredder

Quality and quantity of leaf litter: Both are important for feeding preferences and growth of an aquatic shredder

Linkages between flow regime, biota, and ecosystem processes: Implications for river restoration

Flow Intermittency Affects Leaf Decomposition and Benthic Consumer Communities of Alpine Streams: A Case Study along the Po River

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