Consequences of Detrital Complexity for Ecosystem Function

University Of Georgia Research Foundation Inc, Athens GA

Investigators

Abstract

This project will examine the importance of leaf detritus with differing decay characteristics on ecosystem properties in headwater streams that receive most of their energy from the surrounding forest as autumn-shed leaves. By manipulating the quality and complexity (i.e., number of leaf types) of detrital resources, the investigators will test the hypothesis that quality and complexity of detritus in a detritus-based ecosystem regulates ecosystem structure and function. This will be accomplished by controlling detritus persistence and availability to stream-dwelling consumer organisms. Increasing the complexity of leaf detritus should reduce temporal variation in key ecosystem characteristics and processes such as standing crop of organic matter, organic matter export, fungal reproduction, nutrient retention, ecosystem metabolism, and invertebrate abundance, biomass and production. Anthropogenic reductions in global biodiversity require an improved understanding of the impacts of biodiversity on ecosystem processes, such as the consequences of different riparian replanting schemes for stream ecosystems.