Leaf litter decomposition and invertebrate colonization in Alpine environments above the tree line: an experimental study

• Autorzy: Bo T. , Cammarata M. , Lopez-Rodriguez M. J. , Tierno de Figueroa J. M. , Fenoglio S.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Recent studies suggested a general warming trend in the Alps, resulting in a significant migration of forests to altitudes higher than the usual, regional tree line. As a consequence, some headwater streams will likely receive more allochthonous organic matter. For this reason, the dynamics of decomposition of terrestrial leaf detritus in stream reaches that naturally lacked this resource represents a subject of considerable interest, on which no information is currently available. The aim of this study was to analyse breakdown and macroinvertebrate colonisation of leaf bags in an Alpine headwater stream above the tree line. Results of this study indicate that decomposition of terrestrial leaves in a lotic alpine environment above the tree line takes place through a process similar to what happens at lower altitudes, but with some differences. The reduced rate of decomposition observed may be due to lower temperatures. At lower altitudes, tree cover provides a supply of organic material sufficient to support a rich guild of shredders. This study demonstrates that also above tree line, where communities are dominated by scrapers, an important part of the benthic community take part in the decomposition process of leaves. We can conclude that streams above the tree line, while hosting invertebrate communities dominated by rhithrophilous organisms that feed mostly on biofilm, also harbour a rich population of opportunist invertebrates. It seems that, in the case of expected temperature increase at higher altitudes , terrestrial organic detritus may be actively degraded by lotic benthic communities.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

leaf litter; decomposition; invertebrate colonization; climate change; stream ecology; detritus; macroinvertebrate; Po River; Alpine stream

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Polish Journal of Ecology
• Rocznik: 2014
• Tom: 62
• Numer: 2
• Opis fizyczny: p.217-225,fig.,ref.

Twórcy

autor

Bo T.

• Dipartimento di Scienze di Scienze ed Innovazione Tecnologica, Universita del Piemonte Orientale, Via Teresa Michel 11, 15121, Alessandria, Italy

autor

Cammarata M.

• Dipartimento di Scienze di Scienze ed Innovazione Tecnologica, Universita del Piemonte Orientale, Via Teresa Michel 11, 15121, Alessandria, Italy

autor

Lopez-Rodriguez M. J.

• Departamento de Ecologia. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain

autor

Tierno de Figueroa J. M.

• Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain

autor

Fenoglio S.

• Dipartimento di Scienze di Scienze ed Innovazione Tecnologica, Universita del Piemonte Orientale, Via Teresa Michel 11, 15121, Alessandria, Italy

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