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Rates of decomposition and nutrient release of herbivore inputs are driven by habitat microsite characteristics

  • Original Article
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Ecological Research

Abstract

Ungulates use habitat with differential microclimate characteristics; therefore, fecal inputs to a particular habitat may result in vastly different rates of decomposition and nutrient release. We tested this hypothesis and conducted a 1-year decomposition experiment where we deployed fecal samples from Shiras moose (Alces alces shirasi) and subsequently measured loss of fecal mass, nutrient release captured with resin bags, and associated consequences for nitrogen (N) cycling in soils. The microhabitat type in which fecal samples were deployed influenced rates of decomposition observed; samples experienced faster rates of decomposition in a riparian habitat type than a conifer site. Cumulative nutrient losses as nitrate (NO3 −) measured with anion and cation exchange resin bags were significantly higher in the conifer site (0.08 g N/feces) than the riparian site (0.02 g N/feces), whereas ammonium (NH4 +) losses, though higher than nitrate losses, were not significantly different between the riparian site (0.40 g N/feces) and the conifer site (0.26 g N/feces) after 1-year. Concentrations of soil NH4 + and NO3 − beneath the fecal samples in the riparian site were significantly higher relative to control soils after 1 year, but no differences were detected in the conifer site. Cumulatively, our findings supported our hypothesis that fecal deposition by large herbivores can strongly influence nutrient releases to the ecosystem through the decomposition of fecal matter. Such nutrient additions may have direct effects on N cycling in soil and provide valuable inputs that are available for plant uptake and subsequent growth.

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Acknowledgments

We thank P. Lendrum, S. Prestigiacomo, M. Franco, and L. Waters for their assistance in the field and laboratory. In addition, we thank M. Kauffman and P. Lendrum who reviewed earlier versions of this manuscript and provided valuable comments. Financial support for this project was provided by the Idaho State University Research Committee and the Geological Society of America. K. Lohse and N. Guernsey were supported by NSF Idaho EPSCoR (EPS-0814387).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, 921 S. 8th Avenue, Mail Stop 8007, Pocatello, ID, 83209-8007, USA

    Noelle C. Guernsey, Kathleen A. Lohse & R. Terry Bowyer

  2. Department of Geosciences, Idaho State University, 921 S. 8th Avenue, Mail Stop 8072, Pocatello, ID, 83209-8007, USA

    Kathleen A. Lohse

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  1. Noelle C. Guernsey
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  2. Kathleen A. Lohse
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  3. R. Terry Bowyer
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Correspondence to Noelle C. Guernsey.

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Guernsey, N.C., Lohse, K.A. & Bowyer, R.T. Rates of decomposition and nutrient release of herbivore inputs are driven by habitat microsite characteristics. Ecol Res 30, 951–961 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-015-1296-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-015-1296-9

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