Does leaf litter from invasive plants contribute the same support of a stream ecosystem function as native vegetation?

• DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1779
• Publication Date: 2017-04-10T13:32:39Z
• Authors: Lenka Kuglerová; Liliana García; Isabel Pardo; Yaseen Mottiar; John S. Richardson
• Keywords: Litter; Plant litter; Detritivore; Native plant

Abstract Riparian habitats are highly susceptible to invasion and the spread of non‐native plants. Many freshwater organisms processes dependent on allochthonous subsidies, thus, riparian invasions often associated with changes in aquatic ecosystems. We studied potential effects plant instream decomposition detritivore communities. compared rates ( k ) leaf litter from species native invasive coastal British Columbia, macroinvertebrate assemblages local novel resource subsidy. Five five plants representing various growth forms (i.e., herbs, shrubs, trees) were used a bag experiment. Litter bags distributed stream‐side experimental channels, ensuring similarity background environmental conditions (substrate, flow, temperature). Compared litter, ‐values 2.6 times higher for herbs 1.3 trees, while shrubs did not differ. Shrubs also decomposed significantly slower than trees herbs. These patterns could be partially explained by chemical properties litter. Throughout whole experiment, negatively related content structural carbohydrates which tended leaves shrubs. The had positive relationships nitrogen measured unconditioned conditioned some highest values nitrogen. found no significant between lignin Taxonomic richness all macroinvertebrates densities shredders incubated 21 but 53 d. Finally, proportion variance rates, when other biological (all richness) chemistry variables. Our results indicate that decomposition; however, direction change is largely quality identity rather form or exotic status.