Living in the litter: the influence of tree leaf litter on wetland communities

摘要: Empirical research in streams has demonstrated that terrestrial subsidies of tree leaf litter influence multiple community factors including composition, diversity and growth individuals. However, little examined the importance species on wetlands, which are ubiquitous across landscape serve as important habitats for a unique diverse organisms. Using outdoor mesocosms, we assessed impact 12 monocultures three mixtures (from both broadleaf conifer trees) pond communities containing gray frog tadpoles Hyla versicolor, periphyton, phytoplankton zooplankton. We found had substantial differential impacts all trophic groups effects algal abundance, zooplankton density amphibian growth. In many instances, patterns responses were specific to individual yet some responses, pH values periphyton biomass, generalizable broad taxonomic groups. addition, while most additive, evidence antagonistic mixing among body mass. Our results highlight potential human naturally driven changes forest composition wetland through associated litter.