Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marta A. Moitinho, Josiane B. Chiaramonte, Laura Bononi, Thiago Gumiere, Itamar S. Melo, Rodrigo G. Taketani
Summary: This study investigates the dynamics of fungal communities during the decomposition process of three common plant species in a mangrove habitat in Brazil. The results show that fungal communities display specific succession patterns in different plant species, which may be related to their ecological roles.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Francois Maillard, Valentin Leduc, Chloe Viotti, Allison L. L. Gill, Emmanuelle Morin, Arnaud Reichard, Isabelle Ziegler-Devin, Bernhard Zeller, Marc Buee
Summary: In temperate forests, fungi play a crucial role in the decomposition of leaf litter. However, their influence on the chemical changes in leaf litter remains poorly understood. This study aimed to determine the main factors driving leaf litter chemical transformation during decomposition by conducting a long-term transplantation experiment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
William A. Argiroff, Donald R. Zak, Rima A. Upchurch, Peter T. Pellitier, Julia P. Belke
Summary: Understanding the genetic differences among soil microorganisms and their regulation of spatial patterns in litter decay is a persistent challenge in ecology. Fine root decay, which accounts for around 50% of total litter production in forest ecosystems, remains less understood compared to aboveground litter decay. In this study, the researchers evaluated whether fine root decay is influenced by the genetic potential of the fungal communities present. They also investigated whether the decay-fungal gene connections can be identified by categorizing the fungi into different functional groups based on the presence of genes encoding specific ligninolytic enzymes. The results suggested that fine root decay is influenced by the genetic potential of the fungal communities, particularly in relation to cellulose and hemicellulose decay. The study also found that the genetic potential for decay varied between different fungal functional groups, with ligninolytic saprotrophic fungi having the highest potential and ectomycorrhizal fungi with ligninolytic peroxidases having the lowest potential for plant cell wall degradation. The findings highlight the importance of fungal community composition and genetic variation in controlling fine root decay in temperate forests at regional scales.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Patrick Baudy, Jochen P. Zubrod, Marco Konschak, Nina Roeder, Thu Huyen Nguyen, Verena C. Schreiner, Christiane Baschien, Ralf Schulz, Mirco Bundschuh
Summary: Aquatic hyphomycetes play important roles in stream ecosystems, but are at risk from fungicide exposure. Fungicide exposure may lead to shifts in fungal community composition, impacting leaf decomposition. Tolerant species in mixed cultures help safeguard the decomposition process.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yao-Bin Song, Meng-Yao Zhou, Yu-Lu Qin, Johannes H. C. Cornelissen, Ming Dong
Summary: The study found that there are significant differences in the decomposition response of aquatic plants to eutrophication, with varying effects on different species. Higher water total phosphate content significantly reduces the decomposition rate of fern litter, while the decomposition rate of angiosperm litter is also affected.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peter G. Kennedy, Francois Maillard
Summary: Dead microbial cells, known as necromass, are important sources of carbon and nutrients in soils. Recent studies have focused on the microbial communities associated with decomposing fungal necromass in different terrestrial ecosystems. This article highlights the ecological patterns and research frontiers of the fungal necrobiome, and suggests that combining laboratory assays with field-based surveys and experiments will enhance our understanding of its composition and role in soil biogeochemical cycling.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Tyler M. Rippel, Gina M. Wimp
Summary: This study analyzed the changes in fungal communities and their functionality during senescence and litter decomposition of the foundation plant species Spartina patens. The research found that different types of plant biomass hosted unique fungal communities and litter chemistry. Functional groups in live biomass were replaced by diverse saprotrophs during senescence, and lignocellulose saprotrophs showed the highest abundance in lower thatch.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Martina Vasutova, Martin Jirousek, Michal Hajek
Summary: The study revealed that fungal communities in boreal ecosystems are primarily influenced by substrate identity rather than site differences. Only a few fungi behave as generalists across different plant species, while most specific fungi are found in dead parts of specific plants.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Attila Szolnoki, Matjaz Perc
Summary: The self-protection of alliances is crucial for maintaining biodiversity in the face of natural selection. Two-species alliances can either defeat each other or exchange positions through inner dynamics. The four-species model shows diverse behaviors depending on the characteristics of inner invasions and the intensity of site exchanges. In cases where the inner invasion is biased, three-member rock-scissors-paper-type solutions emerge. Interestingly, if the oppressed species engage in more intensive site exchanges, they can become a winning pair and dominate the parameter space.
APPLIED MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTATION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Joana Mariz, Ricardo Franco-Duarte, Fernanda Cassio, Claudia Pascoal, Isabel Fernandes
Summary: Aquatic hyphomycetes play a crucial role in freshwater ecosystems by decomposing leaf litter and cycling nutrients. In this study, it was found that both inter- and intraspecific functional diversity exists among aquatic hyphomycetes, with some taxa showing unexpected patterns of taxonomic and functional divergence.
Article
Forestry
Katarzyna Rozek, Dominika Chmolowska, Inaki Odriozola, Tomas Vetrovsky, Kaja Rola, Petr Kohout, Petr Baldrian, Szymon Zubek
Summary: Understanding the effects of different tree species on soil microbial diversity is crucial for sustainable forest management. This study compared the effects of 14 tree species in Poland and Europe on fungal and bacterial diversity in soils. Results showed that Acer pseudoplatanus had the highest fungal species richness, while Carpinus betulus and Quercus rubra had the lowest. Tree species identity mainly influenced fungal composition, while soil chemical properties such as pH and exchangeable Ca, K and Mg influenced bacterial composition.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Juan A. Encina-Dominguez, Eduardo Estrada-Castillon, Miguel Mellado, Cristina Gonzalez-Montelongo, Jose Ramon Arevalo
Summary: "Disturbances in the pine forests of Mexico, primarily caused by cattle, horses, goat, and sheep grazing, have resulted in low tree recruitment, establishment of invasive shrubs, changes in species composition, and invasion of weeds primarily spread by livestock. This study compared a grazing-excluded pine forest stand with a nearby area subjected to livestock grazing in the Sierra de Zapaliname natural protected area in northeast Mexico. The results showed that grazing has altered the understory species composition and reduced evenness in the control plots. To maintain species diversity and forest structure, it is recommended to restrict extensive grazing or reduce the number of animals in areas of high ecological value."
Article
Mathematics, Interdisciplinary Applications
D. Bazeia, M. Bongestab, B. F. de Oliveira, A. Szolnoki
Summary: The introduction of a fourth species into a model of three cyclically dominant species may not necessarily disrupt the coexistence of species, but can lead to three consecutive phase transitions. Through analysis using various techniques and Hamming distance density profiles, the study reinforced previous findings about cyclically dominant systems and revealed new insights and counter-intuitive phenomena.
CHAOS SOLITONS & FRACTALS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guodong Liu, Jinfang Sun, Peng Xie, Chao Guo, Kaixiang Zhu, Kun Tian
Summary: Microbial communities in wetlands respond to climate warming by changing their network interactions, leading to accelerated litter decomposition.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Agronomy
Javier Palomino, Pablo Garcia-Palacios, Gerlinde B. B. De Deyn, Laura Beatriz Martinez-Garcia, Sara Sanchez-Moreno, Ruben Milla
Summary: Plant domestication has led to changes in leaf litter quality, affecting decomposition and soil decomposer communities. Domesticated litters decompose faster and have different impacts on soil bacteria, fungi, and nematodes.
Article
Ecology
Ana Pereira, Veronica Ferreira
Summary: The decomposition of litter from native and invasive tree species varied due to differences in leaf characteristics and nitrogen concentrations. Increased nitrogen concentration in invaded streams may stimulate microbial activity on litter, affecting important stream ecosystem processes.
Article
Biology
Veronica Ferreira, Albano Figueiredo, Manuel A. S. Graca, Elizabete Marchante, Ana Pereira
Summary: Biological invasions, particularly of woody species, can have cross-ecosystem effects, especially in meta-ecosystems like stream-riparian forests. The invasion of N-fixing species in temperate deciduous broadleaf forests can lead to changes in stream ecosystem functioning, affecting water quality, flow, and litter input characteristics. Different traits of native and invasive tree species, environmental conditions, and the extent of invasion can influence the magnitude of these effects on streams, potentially jeopardizing multiple ecosystem services.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Veronica Ferreira, Joao Silva, Julien Cornut, Manuel A. S. Graca
Summary: This study compared the microbial colonization and decomposition of green and rooibos teas and native alder leaf litter in two streams with different environmental conditions. The results showed that tea may be used as a surrogate for leaf litter in studies on microbial-driven leaf litter decomposition in streams, although the decomposition rates may vary.
Article
Ecology
Veronica Ferreira, Laryssa H. R. Pazianoto, Alejandro Solla
Summary: The study examined the effects of invasive tree pathogens on tree litter, microbial decomposers, and litter decomposition. Results indicated that tree health status influenced outcomes differently depending on the tree species, highlighting the importance of considering cross-ecosystem effects in forest and stream ecosystems.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Ana Pereira, Veronica Ferreira
Summary: The study found that nitrogen-fixing Acacia species can decrease tree species diversity, alter litter quality, and increase water nitrogen concentration in invaded riparian forests. Litter diversity has antagonistic effects on litter decomposition in streams, which can be modulated by water nitrogen concentration. Litter decomposition rates and microbial decomposer activity are higher in invaded streams, likely due to higher water nitrogen concentration, although the effects are small.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
David M. Costello, Scott D. Tiegs, Luz Boyero, Cristina Canhoto, Krista A. Capps, Michael Danger, Paul C. Frost, Mark O. Gessner, Natalie A. Griffiths, Halvor M. Halvorson, Kevin A. Kuehn, Amy M. Marcarelli, Todd Royer, Devan M. Mathie, Ricardo J. Albarino, Clay P. Arango, Jukka Aroviita, Colden Baxter, Brent J. Bellinger, Andreas Bruder, Francis J. Burdon, Marcos Callisto, Antonio Camacho, Fanny Colas, Julien Cornut, Veronica Crespo-Perez, Wyatt F. Cross, Alison M. Derry, Michael M. Douglas, Arturo Elosegi, Elvira Eyto, Veronica Ferreira, Carmen Ferriol, Tadeusz Fleituch, Jennifer J. Follstad Shah, Andre Frainer, Erica A. Garcia, Liliana Garcia, Pavel E. Garcia, Darren P. Giling, R. Karina Gonzales-Pomar, Manuel A. S. Graca, Hans-Peter Grossart, Francois Guerold, Luiz U. Hepp, Scott N. Higgins, Takuo Hishi, Carlos Iniguez-Armijos, Tomoya Iwata, Andrea E. Kirkwood, Aaron A. Koning, Sarian Kosten, Hjalmar Laudon, Peter R. Leavitt, Aurea L. Lemes da Silva, Shawn J. Leroux, Carri J. LeRoy, Peter J. Lisi, Frank O. Masese, Peter B. McIntyre, Brendan G. McKie, Adriana O. Medeiros, Marko Milisa, Yo Miyake, Robert J. Mooney, Timo Muotka, Jorge Nimptsch, Riku Paavola, Isabel Pardo, Ivan Y. Parnikoza, Christopher J. Patrick, Edwin T. H. M. Peeters, Jesus Pozo, Brian Reid, John S. Richardson, Jose Rincon, Geta Risnoveanu, Christopher T. Robinson, Anna C. Santamans, Gelas M. Simiyu, Agnija Skuja, Jerzy Smykla, Ryan A. Sponseller, Franco Teixeira-de Mello, Sirje Vilbaste, Veronica D. Villanueva, Jackson R. Webster, Stefan Woelfl, Marguerite A. Xenopoulos, Adam G. Yates, Catherine M. Yule, Yixin Zhang, Jacob A. Zwart
Summary: Microbes play a critical role in plant litter decomposition and the fate of carbon in rivers and riparian zones. The process of nutrient immobilization, whereby microbes acquire nitrogen and phosphorus from the environment during the decomposition of low-nutrient plant litter, is influenced by nutrient loading and changing climate. However, environmental controls on immobilization are poorly understood due to the complex interplay between environmental factors and plant litter chemistry.
GLOBAL BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mario Brauns, Daniel C. Allen, Iola G. Boechat, Wyatt F. Cross, Veronica Ferreira, Daniel Graeber, Christopher J. Patrick, Marc Peipoch, Daniel Schiller, Bjoern Guecker
Summary: Human impacts, such as nutrient pollution and land-use change, have led to declines in the quality and quantity of freshwater resources. This study analyzes the effects of human stressors on stream ecosystem functions and finds that most stressors inhibit ecosystem functioning. Nitrate uptake efficiency is particularly affected, with agriculture having the largest inhibitory effect. However, there are both negative and positive effects within each stressor-function pair. Wastewater effluents, agriculture, and urban land use have the strongest overall effects. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the multifunctionality of streams and rivers and the need for ecological function-based freshwater management strategies.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Tom Reveillon, Thibaut Rota, Eric Chauvet, Antoine Lecerf, Arnaud Sentis
Summary: Understanding the balance of energetic losses and gains is crucial for predicting the persistence of populations and ecosystem processes. This study shows that an energetic mismatch occurs for a stream detritivore with increasing temperatures, leading to a decrease in energetic efficiency. The consumer-resource model predicts a decrease in biomass and abundance, as well as a decrease in leaf litter decomposition rate, highlighting the importance of considering physiological processes in predicting the impact of climate change on ecosystem functions.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Limnology
Karoline H. Madureira, Veronica Ferreira
Summary: Changes in forest composition and litter inputs to streams due to invasion by exotic tree species can affect the functioning of freshwater ecosystems. This study assessed the chemical characteristics and decomposition processes of litter from an invasive tree species and two native tree species. The results showed that different litter types have varying effects on microbial activity, decomposition rates, and fungal community structure. The invasion of native riparian forests by the exotic tree species can alter the quality of litter inputs and impact the microbial decomposers, thus impacting the functioning of stream ecosystems.
Article
Biology
Kai Yue, Pieter De Frenne, Koenraad Van Meerbeek, Veronica Ferreira, Dario A. Fornara, Qiqian Wu, Xiangyin Ni, Yan Peng, Dingyi Wang, Petr Hedenec, Yusheng Yang, Fuzhong Wu, Josep Penuelas
Summary: Invertebrates contribute significantly to stream litter decomposition, with their effects influenced by initial litter quality and stream water physicochemical properties. Climate region, mesh size, and mycorrhizal association have minimal impact on invertebrate effects. Invertebrate contribution is highest during the early stages of litter mass loss.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Veronica Ferreira, Ricardo Albarino, Aitor Larranaga, Carri J. LeRoy, Frank O. Masese, Marcelo S. Moretti
Summary: Small streams are an integral part of catchments and have specific characteristics. Despite their small size and remote locations, they contribute significantly to ecosystem services important for humans. Biodiversity maintenance and downstream transference of ecosystem services are key roles of small streams. However, small streams are highly vulnerable to disturbances.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ana Balibrea, Veronica Ferreira, Vitor Goncalves, Pedro Miguel Raposeiro
Summary: Streams in active volcanic islands are often naturally enriched with metals. In the Azores archipelago, some streams have high concentrations of metals. In this study, leaf litter with different characteristics was exposed in metal-enriched and reference streams to assess the feeding preferences and performance of a caddisfly species. The results suggest that the caddisfly's performance was more influenced by litter characteristics than by metal enrichment.
Review
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Veronica Ferreira, Manuel A. S. Graca, Arturo Elosegi
Summary: Droughts have significant impacts on stream ecosystem functioning, particularly on the decomposition of litter. A meta-analysis of 50 studies showed that overall, drought reduced litter decomposition by 43%, affecting energy and matter fluxes in food webs. The magnitude of drought effects depended on factors such as drought type, decomposer community, climate, and litter identity, with stronger effects in severe drought conditions and certain stream characteristics.
Review
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Veronica Ferreira, Luis Mauricio Bini, Maria de los Angeles, Gonzalez Sagrario, Katya E. Kovalenko, Luigi Naselli-Flores, Andre Andrian Padial, Judit Padisak
Article
Ecology
Clother Coste, Thierry Lamaze, Gael Grenouillet, Eric Chauvet
Summary: Researchers collected 252 samples from 53 French streams at 3 different heights to test hypotheses of assemblage zonation of freshwater lichens. They identified 149 lichenic taxa and recorded 6 environmental parameters. The results showed that the abundance of hydrophilic species was relatively consistent across different heights and altitudes, and the species were strongly influenced by exposure to stream water and altitude, leading to the proposal of a new classification system for freshwater lichens based on their affinity with water exposure.
ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)