2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
5/21/2018 | 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM | THE EFFECTS OF OVERLAPPING CONSUMER AGGREGATIONS ON THE DECOMPOSITION OF LEAF LITTER. | 420 A
THE EFFECTS OF OVERLAPPING CONSUMER AGGREGATIONS ON THE DECOMPOSITION OF LEAF LITTER.
Consumer driven nutrient recycling is a critical process in freshwater ecosystems. Global declines in consumer biodiversity highlight the importance of understanding the unique contributions of consumers to ecosystem processes. Dense aggregations of consumers like fish or mussels excrete nutrients which can have bottom up effects on ecosystem functions by increasing the availability of nutrients and/or altering their stoichiometry. However, interactive effects may occur when consumer groups are stoichiometrically distinct. We used leaf litter decomposition as a model ecosystem process to test whether these overlapping consumer hotspots, via altered nutrient availability, exerted priming effects on decomposition rates. Over six weeks, in 45 stream mesocosms spanning a range of fish and mussel biomasses, we measured water column nutrient levels and the mass loss of a common stream macrophyte (Justicia americana) from 1.25 mm mesh bags. Preliminary results indicate a non-significant decrease in decomposition rate in treatments with single consumer groups and a statistically significant increase in decomposition rate when both fish and mussels were present. These results suggest consumer community overlap may have indirect effects on the decomposition of organic matter.
- Organic Matter
- Decomposition
- Food Webs
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Presenters/Authors
Matthew BrabbleRose
(), Oklahoma Biological Survey, North Carolina Wesleyan College, rose.caleb96@gmail.com;
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Thomas Parr
(), University of Oklahoma, Thomas.parr@ou.edu;
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Caryn Vaughn
(), University of Oklahoma, cvaughn@ou.edu;
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