Relationship between dynamics of litterfall and riparian plant species in a tropical stream

Gonçalves, José Francisco; Rezende, Renan de Souza; Gregório, Rener Silva; Valentin, Graziele Cristina

doi:10.1016/j.limno.2013.05.010

Cited by 51 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Several studies have demonstrated the importance of shredders in the decomposition of leaf detritus in temperate streams (Webster & Benfield, 1986;Graça, 2001;Haapala et al, 2001). However, the role of shredders in litter processing in tropical streams is controversial, with some studies showing their importance (Moretti et al, 2009;Tonin et al, 2014;Rezende et al, 2014), but not others (Moretti et al, 2007;Gonçalves Júnior et al, 2012a, b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leaf litter input and electrical conductivity may change density of Phylloicus sp. (Trichoptera: Calamoceratidae) in a Brazilian savannah stream

et al. 2016

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Aim Shredders are generally not abundant in tropical streams, and there is considerable evidence suggesting that the food supply drives this pattern in headwaters. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of variation in the availability of food resources, over one year, on the density of Phylloicus sp. (Trichoptera: Calamoceratidae), which is one of the main shredders in Neotropical headwaters. Methods We measured the relative importance of organic matter in terms of vertical input (VI) and benthic standing stock (BS) on Phylloicus sp. density from October 2012 to September 2013 in a preserved third order stream in the Cerrado savannah biome, Federal District, Brazil. Results Leaves were abundant (monthly biomass of 24.2 g.m–2 ±23.1 SD in VI and 46.1 g.m–2 ±76.7 SD in BS), increasing at the end of dry season (August to October) and comprised the most abundant fraction in VI and BS (~ 70%). Phylloicus sp. had a low density throughout the year (2.4 ind.m–2 ±4.9 SD) and its peak (13.7 ind.m–2 ±17.1 SD in October) was associated with greater leaf biomass in VI and high electrical conductivity in the stream. The well-defined peak of Phylloicus sp. density in October suggests interplay between the increase in Phylloicus density and the leaf litter that enters the stream at the end of the dry season. Electrical conductivity was also higher in October, reflecting an increase in nutrient concentrations in the water during this period. Conclusions The availability of leaf litter may be a determinant factor for the seasonal variation in Phylloicus sp. density in tropical streams, suggesting a bottom-up effect. Changes in the supply of allochthonous resources to the stream can lead to modification in populations of shredders, such as Phylloicus sp., and anthropogenic influences on the riparian vegetation can affect ecological processes of great importance to streams.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leaf litter input and electrical conductivity may change density of Phylloicus sp. (Trichoptera: Calamoceratidae) in a Brazilian savannah stream

et al. 2016

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“…The leafs contribute greatly to energy flow in the system (CARVALHO; UIEDA, 2010), since the starting point for energy distribution in aquatic ecosystems occurs in first order streams, where specialized organisms consume and process the organic matter, that, in the end, will be available to the rest of the system (VANNOTE et al, 1980). The higher leaf contribution as allochthonous energy source to streams has been reported by other studies (MINSHALL, 1967;PAGANO;DURINGAN, 2000;GREGÓRIO et al, 2007;NIN et al, 2009;GONÇALVES et al, 2014). It could be related to a favorable combination of solar radiation, high temperature and abundant rain and nutrients in the tropics, which culminates in high production of vascular plants in riparian vegetation (RICKLEFS, 2010).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

Dynamics of Leaf Fall From Riparian Vegetation and the Accumulation in Benthic Stock in Neotropical Streams1

et al. 2016

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-Considering the importance of the riparian vegetation leaves as an energetic source to first order streams, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the leaf biomass contribution to the system and its temporal dynamics. With this purpose, monthly samples from July 2008 to June 2009 were collected using four sampling devices installed in three streams, in order to collect the vertical, lateral and terrestrial loads, and the benthic stock. We tested the following hypothesis: (1) leaf biomass input is higher after hydric stress periods; and (2) benthic stock biomass increase with higher loads from vertical and lateral entrances. Leaves represented 71.9% (on average) of all sampled allochthonous matter, with seasonal significant variation along the studied year. Peaks of leaf input were registered in September-October, after an increase in rainfall, and also in January, after a decrease in rainfall. Leaf input was higher in the lateral load.

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“…Especially in loworder streams covered by dense riparian vegetation, allochthonous organic matter represents the main resource for aquatic fauna (Wallace et al, 1997). Leaves compose the major fraction of allochthonous organic matter entering in streams (França et al, 2009;Gonçalves et al, 2014;Bambi et al, 2017) and once in the lotic environment, fauna colonize and start the process of leaf breakdown (Gessner et al, 1999;Graça, 2001;Tank et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationships of shredders, leaf processing and organic matter along a canopy cover gradient in tropical streams

2017

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Terrestrial allochthonous organic matter represents a structuring element and an important source of energy and carbon to fauna in small forested streams. However, the role of this matter as a food resource for benthic macroinvertebrates, and consequently, for shredders and their performance in riverine processes, is not clear in low-order tropical streams. Aiming to investigate the relationship between shredders and leaves, we analyzed along a gradient of 8-93% canopy cover biomass and abundance of shredders, accumulated leaves and breakdown rates of local leaves to verify if these parameters were related to shade conditions and to each other. Three hypotheses were tested: i) shredder biomass, accumulated leaves and breakdown rates are related to canopy cover and exhibit higher values in shaded sites; ii) shredder biomass is positively related to accumulated leaves and breakdown rates; and iii) due to the relatively large body size of the important shredders, the association of shredders with leaves and importance to leaf processing should be better expressed in terms of guild biomass than abundance. Shredder biomass varied between 846 and 1506 mg dry mass (DM) m -2 and accumulated leaves varied between 479 and 1120 g ash free dry mass (AFDM) m -2 across sites. Leaf breakdown rate (k), the only measured variable that varied significantly among sites, varied between -0.0015 and -0.0238 day -1 . Neither shredder biomass nor leaf biomass were associated with the shading gradient. On the other hand, shredder abundance and biomass, mainly represented by Triplectides (Trichoptera, Leptoceridae), was positively related to accumulated leaves within sites and to breakdown rates assessed by leaf packs. Leaf breakdown, as assessed by the experimental leaf packs, was associated with shredder biomass, but not with shredder abundance. This result suggests that macroinvertebrates are important for leaf detritus processing and that their biomass reflects their activity, presumably because it is related to their secondary production and perhaps non-consumptive action. Their activity was observed at the scale of leaf packs and not at the scale of variation in canopy cover because apparently canopy did not modulate availability of leaves, which were apparently not limiting to the shredders.

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Relationship between dynamics of litterfall and riparian plant species in a tropical stream

Cited by 51 publications

References 41 publications

Leaf litter input and electrical conductivity may change density of Phylloicus sp. (Trichoptera: Calamoceratidae) in a Brazilian savannah stream

Leaf litter input and electrical conductivity may change density of Phylloicus sp. (Trichoptera: Calamoceratidae) in a Brazilian savannah stream

Dynamics of Leaf Fall From Riparian Vegetation and the Accumulation in Benthic Stock in Neotropical Streams1

Relationships of shredders, leaf processing and organic matter along a canopy cover gradient in tropical streams

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