1
|
Robbins CJ, Manning DWP, Halvorson HM, Norman BC, Eckert RA, Pastor A, Dodd AK, Jabiol J, Bastias E, Gossiaux A, Mehring AS. Nutrient and stoichiometry dynamics of decomposing litter in stream ecosystems: A global synthesis. Ecology 2023:e4060. [PMID: 37186091 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Decomposing organic matter forms a substantial resource base fueling the biogeochemical function and secondary production of most aquatic ecosystems. However, detrital N (nitrogen) and P (phosphorus) dynamics remain relatively unexplored in aquatic relative to terrestrial ecosystems, despite fundamentally linking microbial processes to ecosystem function across broad spatial scales. We synthesized 217 published time series of detrital carbon (C), N, P, and their stoichiometric ratios (C:N, C:P, N:P) from stream ecosystems to analyze the temporal nutrient dynamics of decomposing litter using generalized additive models. Model results indicated that detritus was a net source of N (irrespective of inorganic or organic form) to the environment regardless of initial N content. In contrast, P sink/source dynamics were more strongly influenced by initial P content, where P-poor litters were sinks of nutrients until shifting to net P mineralization after ~40% mass loss. However, large variation surrounded both N and P predictions, suggesting the importance of non-microbial factors such as fragmentation by invertebrates. Detrital C:N ratios converged and became more similar toward the end of decomposition, suggesting predictable microbial functional effects throughout detrital ontogeny. C:P and N:P ratios also converged to some degree, but these model predictions were less robust than for C:N, due in part to the lower number of published detrital C:P time series. Explorations of environmental covariate effects were frequently limited by few coincident covariate measurements across studies, but temperature, N availability, and P tended to accelerate existing ontogenetic patterns in C:N. Our analysis helps unite organic matter decomposition across aquatic-terrestrial boundaries by describing basic patterns of elemental flows catalyzed by decomposition in streams, and points to a research agenda to continue addressing gaps in our knowledge of detrital nutrient dynamics across ecosystems. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caleb J Robbins
- Department of Biology, Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
| | - David W P Manning
- Department of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | - Beth C Norman
- Lacawac Sanctuary Field Station and Environmental Education Center, Lake Ariel, PA, USA
| | - Rebecca A Eckert
- Biology Department, Environmental Studies Department, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA, USA
| | - Ada Pastor
- Group of Continental Aquatic Ecology Research (GRECO), Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Allyn K Dodd
- Arkansas School for Math, Sciences, and the Arts, Hot Springs, AR, USA
| | - Jérémy Jabiol
- HYFE - Hydrobiologie et Fonctionnement des Ecosystèmes, Elven, France
| | - Elliot Bastias
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Andrew S Mehring
- Department of Biology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fenoy E, Pradhan A, Pascoal C, Rubio-Ríos J, Batista D, Moyano-López FJ, Cássio F, Casas JJ. Elevated temperature may reduce functional but not taxonomic diversity of fungal assemblages on decomposing leaf litter in streams. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:115-127. [PMID: 34651383 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mounting evidence points to a linkage between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (B-EF). Global drivers, such as warming and nutrient enrichment, can alter species richness and composition of aquatic fungal assemblages associated with leaf-litter decomposition, a key ecosystem process in headwater streams. However, effects of biodiversity changes on ecosystem functions might be countered by the presumed high functional redundancy of fungal species. Here, we examined how environmental variables and leaf-litter traits (based on leaf chemistry) affect taxonomic and functional α- and β-diversity of fungal decomposers. We analysed taxonomic diversity (DNA-fingerprinting profiles) and functional diversity (community-level physiological profiles) of fungal communities in four leaf-litter species from four subregions differing in stream-water characteristics and riparian vegetation. We hypothesized that increasing stream-water temperature and nutrients would alter taxonomic diversity more than functional diversity due to the functional redundancy among aquatic fungi. Contrary to our expectations, fungal taxonomic diversity varied little with stream-water characteristics across subregions, and instead taxon replacement occurred. Overall taxonomic β-diversity was fourfold higher than functional diversity, suggesting a high degree of functional redundancy among aquatic fungi. Elevated temperature appeared to boost assemblage uniqueness by increasing β-diversity while the increase in nutrient concentrations appeared to homogenize fungal assemblages. Functional richness showed a negative relationship with temperature. Nonetheless, a positive relationship between leaf-litter decomposition and functional richness suggests higher carbon use efficiency of fungal communities in cold waters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Encarnación Fenoy
- Department of Biology and Geology, University of Almería, Almería, Spain
- Andalusian Centre for Assessment and Monitoring of Global Change (CAESCG), Almería, Spain
| | - Arunava Pradhan
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-sustainability, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Pascoal
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-sustainability, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Juan Rubio-Ríos
- Department of Biology and Geology, University of Almería, Almería, Spain
- Andalusian Centre for Assessment and Monitoring of Global Change (CAESCG), Almería, Spain
| | - Daniela Batista
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-sustainability, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | | | - Fernanda Cássio
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-sustainability, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - J Jesús Casas
- Department of Biology and Geology, University of Almería, Almería, Spain
- Andalusian Centre for Assessment and Monitoring of Global Change (CAESCG), Almería, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Frenken T, Paseka R, González AL, Asik L, Seabloom EW, White LA, Borer ET, Strauss AT, Peace A, Van de Waal DB. Changing elemental cycles, stoichiometric mismatches, and consequences for pathogens of primary producers. OIKOS 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.08253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Thijs Frenken
- Dept of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Inst. of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) Wageningen the Netherlands
- Great Lakes Inst. for Environmental Research (GLIER), Univ. of Windsor Windsor ON Canada
| | - Rachel Paseka
- Dept of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Univ. of Minnesota St. Paul MN USA
| | | | - Lale Asik
- Dept of Biology and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Rutgers Univ. Camden NJ USA
| | - Eric W. Seabloom
- Great Lakes Inst. for Environmental Research (GLIER), Univ. of Windsor Windsor ON Canada
| | - Lauren A. White
- National Socio‐Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC), Univ. of Maryland Annapolis MD USA
| | - Elizabeth T. Borer
- Great Lakes Inst. for Environmental Research (GLIER), Univ. of Windsor Windsor ON Canada
| | - Alex T. Strauss
- Great Lakes Inst. for Environmental Research (GLIER), Univ. of Windsor Windsor ON Canada
- Dept of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, Univ. of Minnesota St. Paul MN USA
| | - Angela Peace
- Dept of Mathematics and Statistics, Texas Tech Univ. Lubbock TX USA
| | - Dedmer B. Van de Waal
- Dept of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Inst. of Ecology (NIOO‐KNAW) Wageningen the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Filter-feeders have differential bottom-up impacts on green and brown food webs. Oecologia 2021; 195:187-198. [PMID: 33389154 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-020-04821-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Nutrient recycling by consumers can strongly impact nutrient availability for autotrophic and heterotrophic microbes, thus impacting functions such as primary production and decomposition. Filter-feeding freshwater mussels form dense, multispecies assemblages in aquatic ecosystems and have been shown to play a critical role in nutrient cycling. Mussel excretion can enhance benthic primary production and influence algal species composition. However, the role of mussels in brown or detritus-based food webs and species-specific differences has received considerably less attention. Here, using mesocosm experiments, we assessed how three species of freshwater mussels that occupy three different phylogenetic tribes influenced benthic algal accrual, ecosystem metabolism, cotton strip decomposition, leaf litter (Acer saccharum) decomposition, and litter-associated fungal biomass measured as ergosterol. Additionally, we measured mussel excretion and biodeposition rates and assessed the stoichiometry (C:N, C:P, and N:P) of the benthic algae, cotton strips, and leaf litter. In comparison to controls without mussels, generally, mussel treatments had higher benthic algal biomass composed of more diatoms, higher gross primary productivity and net ecosystem production rates, and higher cotton strip tensile strength loss, but there was not a difference in ecosystem respiration rates, leaf litter decomposition rates, or fungal biomass. Benthic algae had lower C:N and higher N:P in mussel treatment tanks and cotton strip C:N was lower in mesocosms with mussels. Our results suggest that nutrient regeneration by mussels most strongly regulates green food webs, with some impacts to brown food webs, suggesting that consumers have interactive effects on microbial functioning in freshwaters.
Collapse
|
5
|
Paumelle M, Donnadieu F, Joly M, Besse-Hoggan P, Artigas J. Effects of sulfonamide antibiotics on aquatic microbial community composition and functions. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 146:106198. [PMID: 33096465 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge on interactions among microbial communities colonizing various streambed substrata (e.g. cobbles, sediment, leaf-litter etc.) is essential when investigating the functioning of stream ecosystems. However, these interactions are often forgotten when assessing the responses of aquatic microbial communities to chemical contamination. Using a stream microcosm approach, the respective impact of two sulfonamide antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole and sulfamethazine) on the ability of microbial heterotrophs to decompose alder leaves was investigated in the presence or absence of periphyton. Our hypothesis suggested that sulfonamides would negatively impair microbial litter decomposition and that periphyton could possibly alleviate this effect by stimulating microbial decomposer activity through a priming effect. Results showed that the presence of periphyton enriched water with oxygen and labile dissolved organic carbon forms. However, these labile organic carbon sources did not stimulate leaf-litter decomposition but mostly decoupled microbial decomposer activity from particulate organic matter to dissolved organic matter through negative priming. Also, the two sulfonamide molecules did not affect the leaf-litter decomposition process but significantly decreased bacterial biomass accrual on leaves. The reduction of bacteria was concomitant with an increase in biomass-specific β-glucosidase activity and this was attributed to a stress response from bacteria to sulfonamides. Further research looking at microbial interactions would provide for better assessment of chemical contamination effects in communities and processes in stream ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Paumelle
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement (LMGE), F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Florence Donnadieu
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement (LMGE), F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Muriel Joly
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement (LMGE), F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Sigma Clermont, Institut de Chimie de Clermont-Ferrand (ICCF), F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Pascale Besse-Hoggan
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Sigma Clermont, Institut de Chimie de Clermont-Ferrand (ICCF), F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Joan Artigas
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome et Environnement (LMGE), F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Ardón M, Zeglin LH, Utz RM, Cooper SD, Dodds WK, Bixby RJ, Burdett AS, Follstad Shah J, Griffiths NA, Harms TK, Johnson SL, Jones JB, Kominoski JS, McDowell WH, Rosemond AD, Trentman MT, Van Horn D, Ward A. Experimental nitrogen and phosphorus enrichment stimulates multiple trophic levels of algal and detrital-based food webs: a global meta-analysis from streams and rivers. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2020; 96:692-715. [PMID: 33350055 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenic increases in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations can strongly influence the structure and function of ecosystems. Even though lotic ecosystems receive cumulative inputs of nutrients applied to and deposited on land, no comprehensive assessment has quantified nutrient-enrichment effects within streams and rivers. We conducted a meta-analysis of published studies that experimentally increased concentrations of N and/or P in streams and rivers to examine how enrichment alters ecosystem structure (state: primary producer and consumer biomass and abundance) and function (rate: primary production, leaf breakdown rates, metabolism) at multiple trophic levels (primary producer, microbial heterotroph, primary and secondary consumers, and integrated ecosystem). Our synthesis included 184 studies, 885 experiments, and 3497 biotic responses to nutrient enrichment. We documented widespread increases in organismal biomass and abundance (mean response = +48%) and rates of ecosystem processes (+54%) to enrichment across multiple trophic levels, with no large differences in responses among trophic levels or between autotrophic or heterotrophic food-web pathways. Responses to nutrient enrichment varied with the nutrient added (N, P, or both) depending on rate versus state variable and experiment type, and were greater in flume and whole-stream experiments than in experiments using nutrient-diffusing substrata. Generally, nutrient-enrichment effects also increased with water temperature and light, and decreased under elevated ambient concentrations of inorganic N and/or P. Overall, increased concentrations of N and/or P altered multiple food-web pathways and trophic levels in lotic ecosystems. Our results indicate that preservation or restoration of biodiversity and ecosystem functions of streams and rivers requires management of nutrient inputs and consideration of multiple trophic pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Ardón
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, U.S.A
| | - Lydia H Zeglin
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, U.S.A
| | - Ryan M Utz
- Falk School of Sustainability, Chatham University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, U.S.A
| | - Scott D Cooper
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology and Marine Science Institute, University of California - Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, U.S.A
| | - Walter K Dodds
- Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, U.S.A
| | - Rebecca J Bixby
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, U.S.A
| | | | - Jennifer Follstad Shah
- Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program/Department of Geography, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, U.S.A
| | - Natalie A Griffiths
- Climate Change Science Institute and Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, U.S.A
| | - Tamara K Harms
- Institute of Arctic Biology and Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, U.S.A
| | - Sherri L Johnson
- Pacific Northwest Research Station, U. S. Forest Service, Corvallis, OR, 97731, U.S.A
| | - Jeremy B Jones
- Institute of Arctic Biology and Department of Biology and Wildlife, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, U.S.A
| | - John S Kominoski
- Department of Biological Sciences and Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, U.S.A
| | - William H McDowell
- Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 03824, U.S.A
| | - Amy D Rosemond
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, U.S.A
| | - Matt T Trentman
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, U.S.A
| | - David Van Horn
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, U.S.A
| | - Amelia Ward
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Jabiol J, Lecerf A, Lamothe S, Gessner MO, Chauvet E. Litter Quality Modulates Effects of Dissolved Nitrogen on Leaf Decomposition by Stream Microbial Communities. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2019; 77:959-966. [PMID: 30899980 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-019-01353-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Rates of leaf litter decomposition in streams are strongly influenced both by inorganic nutrients dissolved in stream water and by litter traits such as lignin, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations. As a result, decomposition rates of different leaf species can show contrasting responses to stream nutrient enrichment resulting from human activities. It is unclear, however, whether the root cause of such discrepancies in field observations is the interspecific variation in either litter nutrient or litter lignin concentrations. To address this question, we conducted a controlled laboratory experiment with a known fungal community to determine decomposition rates of 38 leaf species exhibiting contrasting litter traits (N, P and lignin concentrations), which were exposed to 8 levels of dissolved N concentrations representative of field conditions across European streams (0.07 to 8.96 mg N L-1). The effect of N enrichment on decomposition rate was modelled using Monod kinetics to quantify N effects across litter species. Lignin concentration was the most important litter trait determining decomposition rates and their response to N enrichment. In particular, increasing dissolved N supply from 0.1 to 3.0 mg N L-1 accelerated the decomposition of lignin-poor litter (e.g. < 10% of lignin, 2.9× increase ± 1.4 SD, n = 14) more strongly than that of litter rich in lignin (e.g. > 15% of lignin, 1.4× increase ± 0.2 SD, n = 9). Litter nutrient concentrations were less important, with a slight positive effect of P on decomposition rates and no effect of litter N. These results indicate that shifts in riparian vegetation towards species characterized by high litter lignin concentrations could alleviate the stimulation of C turnover by stream nutrient enrichment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy Jabiol
- EcoLab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INP, UPS, 118 route de Narbonne, Bât 4R1, Toulouse cedex 9, 31062, France.
- LIEC-Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire des Environnements Continentaux, Université de Lorraine, UMR 7360, Avenue du Général Delestraint, 57070, Metz, France.
| | - Antoine Lecerf
- EcoLab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INP, UPS, 118 route de Narbonne, Bât 4R1, Toulouse cedex 9, 31062, France
| | - Sylvain Lamothe
- EcoLab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INP, UPS, 118 route de Narbonne, Bât 4R1, Toulouse cedex 9, 31062, France
| | - Mark O Gessner
- Department of Experimental Limnology, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Alte Fischerhütte 2, 16775, Stechlin, Germany
- Department of Ecology, Berlin Institute of Technology (TU Berlin), Ernst-Reuter-Platz 1, 10587, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eric Chauvet
- EcoLab, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, INP, UPS, 118 route de Narbonne, Bât 4R1, Toulouse cedex 9, 31062, France
| |
Collapse
|