Leaf traits drive plant diversity effects on litter decomposition and FPOM production in streams

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198243
• Publication Date: 2018-05-29T13:36:33Z
• Authors: Naiara López-Rojo; Aingeru Martínez; Javier Pérez; Ana Basaguren; Jesús Pozo; Luz Boyero
• Keywords: Detritivore; Microcosm; Litter; Plant litter; Decomposer

Biodiversity loss in riparian forests has the potential to alter rates of leaf litter decomposition stream ecosystems. However, studies have reported full range positive, negative and no effects plant diversity on decomposition, there is currently explanation for such inconsistent results. Furthermore, it uncertain whether affects other ecological processes related as fine particulate organic matter production or detritivore growth, which precludes a thorough understanding how detrital food webs are impacted by loss. We used microcosm experiment examine production, growth dominant leaf-shredding detritivore, using mixtures varying species composition. hypothesized that would decrease all studied processes, but depend traits present (both their average values variability). Our findings partly supported our hypotheses, showing had consistently effect (but not growth) across mixtures, was mediated detritivores. Importantly, magnitude relative importance different mechanisms underlying this (i.e., complementarity vs. selection) varied depending composition mainly because differences nutritional quality trait variability. Complementarity prevalent size, with positive selection also occurring some mixtures. results support notion detrimental key ecosystem drive webs, largely depends order