Abstract
Biodiversity at many scales (functional group, species, genetic) can result in emergent ecological patterns. Here we explore the influence of tree genotypic variation and diversity on in-stream ecosystem processes and aquatic communities. We test whether genetically diverse inputs of leaf litter interact with a keystone organism, anadromous salmon, to influence in-stream ecosystem function. We used reach-level manipulation of salmon carcasses and leaf litter bags to examine how nutrient inputs interact with genetic variation in leaf litter decomposition. Genotypic variation in black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa) significantly influenced leaf litter chemistry, litter mass loss, and fungal biomass, but these variables were only weakly influenced by salmon carcass presence or a genotype × salmon (G × E) interaction. Mixtures of genotypes tended to demonstrate antagonistic effects (slower than expected decomposition) in the absence of salmon, but synergistic effects (faster than expected decomposition) when salmon were present. Our findings suggest that the influence of plant genotypic variation in linking aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems may be altered and in some cases intensified in the presence of a keystone vertebrate species.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 910-920 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences |
Volume | 73 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2016 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Aquatic Science
- Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Cite this
Salmon carcasses influence genetic linkages between forests and streams. / Leroy, Carri J.; Fischer, Dylan G.; Andrews, Walton M.; Belleveau, Lisa; Barlow, Clyde H.; Schweitzer, Jennifer A.; Bailey, Joseph K.; Marks, Jane C; Kallestad, Jeff C.
In: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Vol. 73, No. 6, 2016, p. 910-920.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Salmon carcasses influence genetic linkages between forests and streams
AU - Leroy, Carri J.
AU - Fischer, Dylan G.
AU - Andrews, Walton M.
AU - Belleveau, Lisa
AU - Barlow, Clyde H.
AU - Schweitzer, Jennifer A.
AU - Bailey, Joseph K.
AU - Marks, Jane C
AU - Kallestad, Jeff C.
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - Biodiversity at many scales (functional group, species, genetic) can result in emergent ecological patterns. Here we explore the influence of tree genotypic variation and diversity on in-stream ecosystem processes and aquatic communities. We test whether genetically diverse inputs of leaf litter interact with a keystone organism, anadromous salmon, to influence in-stream ecosystem function. We used reach-level manipulation of salmon carcasses and leaf litter bags to examine how nutrient inputs interact with genetic variation in leaf litter decomposition. Genotypic variation in black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa) significantly influenced leaf litter chemistry, litter mass loss, and fungal biomass, but these variables were only weakly influenced by salmon carcass presence or a genotype × salmon (G × E) interaction. Mixtures of genotypes tended to demonstrate antagonistic effects (slower than expected decomposition) in the absence of salmon, but synergistic effects (faster than expected decomposition) when salmon were present. Our findings suggest that the influence of plant genotypic variation in linking aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems may be altered and in some cases intensified in the presence of a keystone vertebrate species.
AB - Biodiversity at many scales (functional group, species, genetic) can result in emergent ecological patterns. Here we explore the influence of tree genotypic variation and diversity on in-stream ecosystem processes and aquatic communities. We test whether genetically diverse inputs of leaf litter interact with a keystone organism, anadromous salmon, to influence in-stream ecosystem function. We used reach-level manipulation of salmon carcasses and leaf litter bags to examine how nutrient inputs interact with genetic variation in leaf litter decomposition. Genotypic variation in black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa) significantly influenced leaf litter chemistry, litter mass loss, and fungal biomass, but these variables were only weakly influenced by salmon carcass presence or a genotype × salmon (G × E) interaction. Mixtures of genotypes tended to demonstrate antagonistic effects (slower than expected decomposition) in the absence of salmon, but synergistic effects (faster than expected decomposition) when salmon were present. Our findings suggest that the influence of plant genotypic variation in linking aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems may be altered and in some cases intensified in the presence of a keystone vertebrate species.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84970976484&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84970976484&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1139/cjfas-2015-0439
DO - 10.1139/cjfas-2015-0439
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84970976484
VL - 73
SP - 910
EP - 920
JO - Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
JF - Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
SN - 0706-652X
IS - 6
ER -