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Invasive Acacia Tree Species Affect Instream Litter Decomposition Through Changes in Water Nitrogen Concentration and Litter Characteristics

  • Microbiology of Aquatic Systems
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Abstract

Non-native nitrogen-fixing Acacia species have been invading riparian ecosystems worldwide, potentially threatening stream communities that strongly depend on allochthonous litter. We examined the effects of the invasion of native deciduous temperate forests by Acacia species on litter decomposition and associated fungal decomposers in streams. Litter of native (Alnus glutinosa and Quercus robur) and invasive (Acacia melanoxylon) species were enclosed in fine-mesh bags and immersed in three native and three invaded streams, for 14–98 days. Litter decomposition rates, fungal biomass, and aquatic hyphomycete sporulation rates were higher in invaded than in native streams, likely due to the higher water nitrogen concentration found in invaded streams. Alnus glutinosa litter had higher aquatic hyphomycete sporulation rates and species richness, and higher decomposition rates, probably because they were soft and nitrogen rich. Quercus robur litter also had high aquatic hyphomycete sporulation rates but lower decomposition rates than Al. glutinosa, probably due to high polyphenol concentration and carbon:nitrogen ratio. Acacia melanoxylon litter had lower aquatic hyphomycete sporulation rates and species richness, and lower decomposition rates, most likely because it was very tough. Thus, litter decomposition rates varied in the order: Al. glutinosa > Q. robur > Ac. melanoxylon. The aquatic hyphomycete community structure strongly differed between native and invaded streams, and among litter species, suggesting that microbes were sensitive to water nitrogen concentration and litter characteristics. Overall, increases in water nitrogen concentration and alterations in litter characteristics promoted by the invasion of native riparian forests by Acacia species may affect the activity and community structure of microbial decomposers, and instream litter decomposition, thus altering the functioning of stream ecosystems.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Olímpia Sobral (CFE, University of Coimbra) for all the help in the field and the laboratory, and Teresa Gonçalves and Chantal Fernandes (CNC, University of Coimbra) for the use of the lyophilizer. Water nutrient analyses were ordered to Centro de Apoio Científico-Tecnolóxico á Investigación (CACTI, University of Vigo, Spain). Ergosterol analyses were ordered to Instituto do Ambiente Tecnologia e Vida (IATV, University of Coimbra, Portugal).

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The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Funding

This study was financed by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through the exploratory project IF/00129/2014 granted to Verónica Ferreira and through the strategic project UIDP/04292/2020 granted to MARE. Ana Pereira received a doctoral fellowship from FCT (SFRH/BD/118069/2016), financed by the European Social Fund (FSE) from the European Union (UE), through the Programa Operacional Regional Centro (CENTRO 2020) and by National Funds from the Orçamento de Estado, through Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior (MCTES).

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  1. MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal

    Ana Pereira & Verónica Ferreira

  2. CEGOT—Centre of Studies in Geography and Spatial Planning, Department of Geography and Tourism, University of Coimbra, Largo da Porta Férrea, 3004-530, Coimbra, Portugal

    Albano Figueiredo

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  1. Ana Pereira
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Pereira, A., Figueiredo, A. & Ferreira, V. Invasive Acacia Tree Species Affect Instream Litter Decomposition Through Changes in Water Nitrogen Concentration and Litter Characteristics. Microb Ecol 82, 257–273 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-021-01749-0

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