10.5061/DRYAD.DG4MC
Stoler, Aaron B.
University of Pittsburgh
Relyea, Rick A.
University of Pittsburgh
Data from: Leaf litter species identity alters the structure of pond
communities
Dryad
dataset
2015
resource subsidies
aquatic-terrestrial linkages
ephemeral pond
2015-04-28T13:45:16Z
2015-04-28T13:45:16Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1111/oik.02480
44279 bytes
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CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
The input of leaf litter resources is a major driver of ecosystem
processes in terrestrial and freshwater habitats. Although variation
exists in the quantity and composition of litter inputs due to natural and
anthropogenic causes, few studies have examined how such variation
influences the structure and composition of aquatic food webs. Using
outdoor mesocosms, we examined the bottom–up effects of 10 chemically
distinct tree litter species on microbial, algal, invertebrate and
vertebrate fauna found in temperate ponds. We hypothesized that individual
litter species, which differ in their traits, would differentially and
predictably affect abiotic and biotic elements of pond communities. We
further hypothesized that the presence of leaf litter, regardless of
species, would elevate resource supply and increase the biomass of
community members. Finally, we hypothesized that a mixture of litter
species would have non-additive effects on community responses. We
followed the system for > 4 months and measured > 30 abiotic
and biotic responses related to primary and secondary production. The
different species of leaf litter had major effects on abiotic and biotic
responses, including phytoplankton, periphyton, zooplankton, snails,
amphipods and tadpoles. Most biological responses were negatively
associated with soluble carbon content of litter, or litter decay rate.
Other litter traits, including phenolic concentrations and litter C:N were
of secondary importance but did exhibit both positive and negative
associations with several responses. The absence of litter had pervasive
effects on abiotic attributes, but did not promote substantial changes in
organism biomass. Most responses to the litter mixture were additive. Our
results suggest that changes in temperate forest composition can strongly
affect pond communities.
LitterDataStoler2015Data.xlsx