Consumption of leaf detritus by a stream shredder: Influence of tree species and nutrient status |
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Authors: | John G Irons III Mark W Oswood John P Bryant |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska, 99775 Fairbanks, AK, USA |
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Abstract: | Four species of riparian vegetation (alder, birch, willow and poplar) were fertilized with nitrogen, phosphorus, nitrogen
+ phosphorus, or no fertilizer (control). The resulting leaf detritus (leached but not microbially colonized) was offered
to a stream shredder, Hydatophylax variabilis (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae). In one experiment, shredder consumption of leaf detritus from different nutrient treatments
(within tree species) was compared, and in a second experiment, consumption of different tree species (within nutrient treatments)
was compared. Larvae preferred leaf detritus from nitrogen + phosphorus treatments (except in poplar where nitrogen treatment
was preferred). Alder was preferred over other tree species for all treatments. Chemical and physical analyses of leaf litter
showed differences between tree species and nutrient treatments in nutrient content, tannins and leaf toughness. Leaf consumption
by larvae was positively associated with nitrogen content and negatively associated with condensed tannin content. Species
composition and nutrient status of riparian vegetation may strongly influence detrital food webs in streams. |
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Keywords: | stream shredder feeding detritus riparian nutrition |
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