Effects of leaf litter traits on terrestrial isopod and millipede consumption, assimilation and growth

Lam, Weng Ngai; Slade, Eleanor M.; Wardle, David A.

doi:10.1111/1365-2435.14520

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 124 publications

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“…This result is coherent with what is observed on copper hills (Delhaye et al 2016) and with Noccaea ( Thlaspi ) caerulescens across Europe (Dechamps et al 2007). These changes in dominant trait values along the gradient could influence ecosystem processes such as litter decomposition (Kazakou et al, 2006) and interactions with soil fauna (Lam et al 2024).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interspecific trait differences drive plant community responses on serpentine soils

Delhaye,

Dimitrakopoulos,

Adamidis

2024

Preprint

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Serpentine ecosystems are characterized by multiple environmental stressors such as high levels of trace metals such as nickel (Ni), low availability of macronutrients and low water retention. These harsh environmental conditions exert a strong selective force on the vegetation, but their effect on the functional trait composition of the communities remains unknown. In 26 plots on four serpentine sites on Lesbos Island (Greece), we measured six leaf functional traits related to resource acquisition and stress resistance on the 20 most abundant plant species. We quantified the proportion of variance explained by inter- and intraspecific traits difference and tested if individual species show changes in trait values explained by soil Ni content. We investigated the selective value and the community level changes for each trait along the natural soil Ni gradient using a species multilevel model approach and functional diversity analyses. We also tested the role of the abundant serpentine endemicOdontarrhena lesbiacain driving these patterns. Intraspecific variation explained by soil Ni content is smaller than 2%, with most of the variance being explained by interspecific differences in trait values and most species do not show significant changes in trait values. At the community level, leaf thickness is the only trait driving an increase in species abundance along the gradient. Functional diversity analyses suggest a shift towards a stress tolerance syndrome (thick leaves with low SLA values) on Ni rich soils, but an increase in the diversity of these traits. However, these patterns are driven by the increasing abundance ofO. lesbiaca. When this species is excluded, there is an increase in the community mean leaf area and SLA, suggesting that the community does not respond to metallic stress with classical stress syndromes. Intraspecific variation in leaf trait responds little to soil metal toxicity. Endemic species harbour original trait values compared to species with broad distribution which should justify their conservation as a priority.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interspecific trait differences drive plant community responses on serpentine soils

Delhaye,

Dimitrakopoulos,

Adamidis

2024

Preprint

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Plant functional types and tissue stoichiometry explain nutrient transfer in common arbuscular mycorrhizal networks of temperate grasslands

Dawson

Shek

Reed

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Plants and mycorrhizal fungi form close mutualistic relationships that affect the structure and function of ecosystems. Recent studies show how certain plant communities can form associations with the same mycorrhizal fungus leading to preferential transfer of carbon and limiting nutrients, such as nitrogen, between different species through common mycorrhizal networks. This phenomenon has been documented in a wide range of ecosystems but its mechanisms remain poorly understood. In an experimental prairie-pasture plant system, replicated at three sites across a 520 km latitudinal gradient in the Pacific Northwest, USA, we identified general processes that reconcile competing hypotheses related to resource transfer in common mycorrhizal networks. We used stable isotope tracers, paired with analyses of fungal DNA and plant and fungal community structure and traits, to quantify above- and belowground allocation and transfer of carbon and nitrogen between 18 different plant species. We applied isotopically enriched carbon (13C) and nitrogen (15N) as a pulse of carbon dioxide (CO2) and ammonia (NH3) to the leaves of target 'donor' species common across experimental sites. At each site, we performed >1360 measurements of foliar and root isotopic enrichment, which revealed morphological traits and tissue stoichiometry as the most important predictors of interspecific resource transfer. Assimilation of isotopic tracers was similar between labeled 'donor' plants with no significant difference between sites for labeled 'donor' plants with no significant difference in transfer between species among experimental treatments, including rainfall exclusion or species diversity. However, allocation of carbon and nitrogen to roots and transfer to 'receiver' species varied significantly between functional groups (annual/perennial or grass/forb) due to differences in tissue stoichiometry. Our findings points to a simple mechanistic answer for long-standing questions regarding mutualism and transfer of resources between plants via mycorrhizal networks, an explanation that can lead to general predictions of preferential flow of limiting resources in other ecosystems.

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Effects of leaf litter traits on terrestrial isopod and millipede consumption, assimilation and growth

Lam,

Slade,

Wardle

2024

Functional Ecology

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Nutrient cycling through leaf litter consumption is an essential ecological function performed by macrodetritivorous invertebrates such as isopods and millipedes. Leaf litter consumption rates can vary greatly depending on the environment, consumer identity and litter traits, but generalizations about the effects of plant traits on macrodetritivore leaf litter consumption, assimilation and growth are not well established and are mostly indirectly inferred. We conducted a systematic search of the global literature and obtained 456 standardized measures from laboratory experiments of relative consumption (RCR), assimilation (RAR) and growth (RGR) rates of terrestrial isopods and millipedes, extracted from 56 different articles. We investigated if commonly measured leaf traits, plant functional groups, prior microbial conditioning of leaves and climatic conditions affected these rates. We obtained data on commonly measured leaf traits from the TRY global plant trait database, inferred plant functional groups from taxonomic groupings and obtained climatic data from information reported within articles. RCR, RAR and RGR varied greatly among macrodetritivore and plant species, but overall, there were no differences between isopods and millipedes. Microbial conditioning of litter greatly increased RCR. Plant functional group was an important predictor of RCR, with eudicot trees and forbs being consumed in greater quantities than magnoliid trees and grasses. Fresh leaf N:P ratio had a positive effect on RAR, and leaf N and C:N ratio had positive and negative effects on RGR, respectively, while climatic variables had weak effects on the three rates. Our work shows that plant traits (both those associated with plant functional groups and commonly measured leaf traits) exert strong effects on resource processing rates by terrestrial macrodetritivores. Further, prior microbial conditioning of leaf litter has a large and globally consistent positive effect on macrodetritivore litter consumption, suggesting that they may consume little, if any, freshly senesced leaf material when microbially conditioned litter is available. Our results suggest that, where extremes of temperature or precipitation do not occur, variables reflective of food quality (leaf traits and microbe conditioning) are more important drivers of macrodetritivore leaf litter consumption than are extrinsic climatic variables. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

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Effects of leaf litter traits on terrestrial isopod and millipede consumption, assimilation and growth

Cited by 3 publications

References 124 publications

Interspecific trait differences drive plant community responses on serpentine soils

Interspecific trait differences drive plant community responses on serpentine soils

Plant functional types and tissue stoichiometry explain nutrient transfer in common arbuscular mycorrhizal networks of temperate grasslands

Effects of leaf litter traits on terrestrial isopod and millipede consumption, assimilation and growth

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