Abstract
Stream functioning is energetically dependent on terrestrial vegetation due to the input of leaves. The decomposition process of this allochthonous resource may be controlled by leaf identity and abiotic and biological predictors that are also influenced by the presence of riparian cover. In subtropical Uruguayan streams, most of the riparian zones have been reduced, and the response of the decomposition process to the predictors may depend on the presence of riparian cover. We analyzed the importance of leaf identity and riparian cover on the abiotic and biotic predictors of leaf decomposition in rangeland streams, comparing two stream types (open canopy stream, OCS, and riparian forest stream, RFS). Decomposition experiments of native species (Eryngium pandanifolium and Schoenoplectus californicus) and the exotic Eucalyptus globulus were carried out. There were no significant differences in decomposition rate between the stream types; however, some predictors had significant, albeit differential, effects on the decomposition process depending on the presence of riparian forest. In OCS, the decomposition rates were positively influenced by NH4-N and streamflow but negatively by PO4-P, conductivity, and proportions of scrapers. Most of these variables had nonsignificant effects on decomposition rates in RFS. Experimentation procedures are needed to establish the mechanisms by which the presence of riparian cover modulates the response of the leaf decomposition to the effects of abiotic and biotic variables in subtropical streams. Leaf decomposition is much more affected by changes in leaf identity, suggesting that riparian changes that are accompanied by changes in leaf inputs may strongly affect this ecosystem function.
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Upon a reasonable request, the data that supported our results are available from the corresponding authors.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Bárbara Suárez, Giancarlo Tesitore, and Lucia Gaucher for their collaboration in the field and laboratory. We thank Claudia Fosalba for her collaboration in the water parameters analysis in the laboratory.
Funding
This work was supported by the CYTED (Ibero-American Program of Science and Technology for Development) under Grant “Ibero-American network for the formulation and application of ecological state assessing protocols, management and restoration of rivers (IBEPECOR)”, Ref.416RT0509. CYTED Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (ES). FTM is supported by the SIN-ANII ("Sistema Nacional de Investigadores") and PEDECIBA "Geociencias and Biología" ("Programa de Desarrollo de las Ciencias Básicas"). M. Barrios is supported by the doctoral scholarship of the SNB-ANII (“Sistema Nacional de Becas de la Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovación”). We had additional support from Universidad de las Américas, UDLA, research grant AMB. BRT. 20.01.
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Barrios, M., Burwood, M., Krӧger, A. et al. Riparian cover buffers the effects of abiotic and biotic predictors of leaf decomposition in subtropical streams. Aquat Sci 84, 55 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00027-022-00886-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00027-022-00886-z