2022 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Virtual Conference

March 13 - 15, 2022

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5/26/2021  |   8:30 AM - 10:30 AM   |  RESOURCE MODIFICATION BY STREAMBED ECOSYSTEM ENGINGEERS FACILITATES INVERTEBRATE COMMUNITY ASSEMBLY AND ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION   |  Virtual Platform

RESOURCE MODIFICATION BY STREAMBED ECOSYSTEM ENGINGEERS FACILITATES INVERTEBRATE COMMUNITY ASSEMBLY AND ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION

Ecosystem engineers that alter resource availability can facilitate aggregations of other organisms with consequences for ecosystem functions. We conducted a mesocosm experiment that quantified how net-spinning caddisflies (Hydropsychidae) influence local food resources, macroinvertebrate density, and ecosystem respiration by building retreat structures made of organic materials and silk. We found that food resources, measured as particulate organic matter (POM), and macroinvertebrate density were 1.4X and 2X higher in the presence of caddisflies compared to controls, respectively. Furthermore, we show that macroinvertebrate density was 1.7X higher per given unit of POM in the presence of caddisflies compared to controls, suggesting that caddisflies may enhance the quality of POM for colonist consumers. Finally, we found that ecosystem respiration was 1.6X higher in the presences of caddisflies compared to controls, likely due to increased metabolic activity of invertebrates and heterotrophic microbes. Taken together, these results suggest that caddisfly engineering increases the quantity, and possibly quality, of resources, which leads to greater macroinvertebrate densities and increased ecosystem respiration. Our findings highlight how positive interactions through resource modification can have consequences for community assembly which can cascade to ecosystem functions related to carbon cycling.

  • Ecosystem functioning
  • Organic matter
  • Engineer

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Presenters/Authors

Benjamin Tumolo (), Montana State University, bbtumolo@gmail.com;


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Lindsey Albertson (), Montana State University , lindsey.albertson@montana.edu;


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Wyatt Cross (), Montana State University, wyatt.cross@montana.edu ;


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Grace Davenport (), Amherst College, gdavenport21@amherst.edu ;


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Geoffrey Poole (), Montana State University, Montana Institute on Ecosystems, gpoole@montana.edu ;


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