Breakdown and macroinvertebrate colonization of needle and leaf litter in conifer plantation streams in Shikoku,southwestern Japan |
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Authors: | Mayu Hisabae Shin Sone Mikio Inoue |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan; |
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Abstract: | Breakdown and macroinvertebrate colonization of conifer needles (Cryptomeria japonica) and deciduous broadleaves (Euptelea polyandra) were investigated using litter bags in two study sites in streams flowing through a conifer plantation of C. japonica in Shikoku, southwestern Japan (one site with conifer canopy and another with mixed conifer and broadleaved canopy). Breakdown
rates and macroinvertebrate densities were compared between litter species (conifer needle vs broadleaf) and between the two
sites (conifer vs mixed canopy) to determine (1) whether breakdown rate of broadleaves is higher than conifer needles, (2)
whether macroinvertebrates prefer broadleaves to conifer needles, and (3) whether the difference in riparian canopy is reflected
in macroinvertebrate abundance. The results indicated that breakdown rates of broadleaves were higher than those of conifer
needles, suggesting poorer quality of the latter as food for macroinvertebrates. Differences in macroinvertebrate density
between needles and broadleaves were generally consistent with those in breakdown rates: broadleaves tended to have higher
densities than needles, suggesting that conifer needles were not preferred by macroinvertebrates. However, total macroinvertebrate
density in the conifer site was not significantly different from that in the mixed site, although the dominant shredder taxon
differed (conifer site: gammarids; mixed site: lepidostomatids). Although conifer needles are low-quality food for macroinvertebrates,
this may offer some advantages. Conifer needles remain on the streambed for longer periods owing to their lower breakdown
rates, being a constantly available resource. In addition, accumulations of conifer litter may effectively trap and retain
particulate organic matter. |
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