Article
Ecology
Alan M. Tonin, Lais S. Lima, Paulino Bambi, Monique L. Figueiredo, Renan S. Rezende, Jose F. Goncalves
Summary: Studies have shown that the chemistry of seasonal litterfall is influenced by dominant plant species, with different chemical properties observed between wet and dry seasons. These findings suggest that shifts in dominant plant species and seasonality may alter litterfall chemistry, leading to changes in carbon and nutrient fluxes in tropical riparian ecosystems.
FRONTIERS IN FORESTS AND GLOBAL CHANGE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jingjing Du, Wenrui Qv, Yulong Niu, Shuaikang Yuan, Lingyan Zhang, Huilian Yang, Yuyan Zhang
Summary: The pattern of acid rain affects the dissolution activity of heavy metals in water and poses challenges and risks to ecosystem stability. A study on the combined effects of acid rain and ZnO nanoparticles found that co-exposures significantly increased enzyme activity and fungal diversity.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Wenping Deng, Xiling Zheng, Shengsheng Xiao, Qi Chen, Yaoyao Gao, Ling Zhang, Jiahui Huang, Tianjun Bai, Songhua Xie, Yuanqiu Liu
Summary: This study analyzed the interception process and influencing factors of litter for six tree species. The results showed that the interception process of litter can be divided into three phases. Different tree species and rainfall characteristics significantly affected the first phase, but litter mass had no impact. Litter mass and rainfall intensity significantly influenced the maximum interception capacity and minimum storage capacity of litter, and their interaction had the largest contribution to the maximum interception capacity.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Taehyun Kim, Jungyoon Kim, Jeman Lee, Hyun Seok Kim, Juhan Park, Sangjun Im
Summary: This study estimated the water retention capacity of forest leaf litter through lysimeter measurements under field conditions. The results showed that Pinus koraiensis litter stored more water than Quercus acutissima litter during rainfall. The study demonstrated the importance of leaf litter in water balance and the reliability of lysimetry as a measurement method.
Article
Forestry
Yuanqi Chen, Shengfu Chen, Bohan Zhang, Xiaotong Ma, Xiaotong Liu, Ying Huang, Yu Zhang
Summary: This study examines the decomposition and nutrient dynamics of leaf litter and fine roots in an urban forest in subtropical China. The results show that the leaf litter decomposition rate and nutrient mineralization rate are faster for Elaeocarpus decipiens compared to Cinnamomum officinarum. Soil microbial biomass has different effects on leaf litter decomposition and fine root decomposition. Elaeocarpus decipiens has higher leaf litter production and nutrient storage, suggesting faster decomposition rate and nutrient return.
Article
Ecology
Alexander Feckler, Patrick Baudy-Groh, Lisa Friedrichs, Sara Goncalves, Simon Luederwald, Ute Risse-Buhl, Mirco Bundschuh
Summary: Heterotrophic microbial decomposers colonize submerged leaf litter in close proximity to periphytic algae, which release labile organic carbon. The exudates from periphytic algae can either stimulate or reduce leaf litter decomposition. This study found that diatoms reduced alder decomposition and associated fungal abundance, indicating negative priming. It is suggested that alder-associated heterotrophs obtained energy from diatom exudates and channeled it to alternative pathways, potentially affecting energy and nutrient availability in the food web.
Article
Forestry
Ying Lu, Liudong Zhang, Kun Li, Ruiqiang Ni, Rongchu Han, Chuanrong Li, Caihong Zhang, Weixing Shen, Zhongjun Zhang
Summary: Microorganisms play a crucial role in litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems. The diversity and composition of bacterial communities are influenced by litter species and tissues, which are correlated with the initial chemical properties of the litter.
Article
Agronomy
Chang Liao, Chunyan Long, Qian Zhang, Xiaoli Cheng
Summary: This study conducted a field litter decomposition experiment in subtropical China, evaluating the effects of litter quality, morphology, and microbial activity on phosphorus (P) loss in leaf and fine root litter of three different species. The results showed that P loss was primarily controlled by microbes, and there were different correlations between leaf and root P loss. Litter quality had a greater impact on leaf P loss, while morphology had a greater impact on root P loss during the decomposition process.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Matthew J. Hill, Ian Thornhill, Scott D. Tiegs, Ana Castro-Castellon, J. Salvador Hernandez-Aviles, Arantza Daw, Victor Hugo Salinas-Camarillo, Sarah Hobbs
Summary: Organic-matter decomposition is a crucial process in freshwater ecosystems, affecting food web dynamics and the global carbon cycle. However, research on this process in small standing waterbodies such as ponds is lacking. This study compares organic-matter decomposition in urban pond and stream habitats, revealing different decomposition rates and complex responses. Understanding these processes at a multi-habitat scale is important for freshwater assessment and conservation.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Bing Mao, Tingting Cui, Tongqing Su, Qiangsheng Xu, Feng Lu, Hongxin Su, Jianbing Zhang, Shuangshuang Xiao
Summary: Litter decomposition is a crucial process for nutrient cycling and carbon budgets in mixed forests. However, there is limited knowledge about the response of soil microbial processes to the mixed-litter decomposition of fresh leaf, semi-decomposed leaf, and fine root. In this study, a laboratory microcosm experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of mixed-litter decomposition on soil enzyme activity and microbial community in a karst forest in Southwest China. The results showed that the presence of fresh leaf litter had a significant influence on mixed-litter decomposition and soil enzyme activity. Furthermore, litter N concentration and the initial quality of litter played important roles in the decomposition process.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jishuai Su, Yujin Zhao, Yongfei Bai
Summary: Climate change-induced alterations in precipitation regimes can significantly affect litter decomposition and carbon and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. This global meta-analysis found that litter decomposition showed double-asymmetric responses to precipitation changes, with litter decomposition in forests being more sensitive. The initial lignin concentration in litter primarily determined the responses of litter decomposition to precipitation changes.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Pedro Henrique Medeiros Rajao, Matty P. Berg, Johannes H. C. Cornelissen, Andre Tavares Correa Dias
Summary: We revealed the direct and indirect effects of species leaf size and hydraulic traits on litter rainfall interception, runoff and soil loss. We propose a new litter-soil ecohydrological model, by using structural equation models, which can be used as a tool to predict ecosystem functioning, and guide management and restoration actions with water and soil conservation targets.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Songze Wan, Shenglei Fu, Chenlu Zhang, Juan Liu, Yun Zhang, Rong Mao
Summary: The study found that subtropical plantations undergoing understory removal and litter addition have impacts on litter decomposition dynamics. Understory removal inhibited litter decomposition rates, while litter addition also slowed down decomposition rates, but they did not interact with each other when present simultaneously. Mixed leaf and twig litter had additive effects on litter decomposition rates.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Diamela De Veer, Anthony Drouin, Jil Fischer, Camila Gonzalez, Geraldine Holtmann, Daniela Honorato-Zimmer, Ailin Leyton, Paloma Nunez, Jose Miguel Sepulveda, Nelson Vasquez, Martin Thiel
Summary: This study examined the cognition and perception of litter in the environment by schoolchildren from the Pacific Coast of Latin America. The findings showed that litter cognition was lower in urban environments and higher in natural environments. The perception of litter was highly negative in both environments, but the reasons behind it differed between urban and natural environments.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ikramjeet Maan, Amarpreet Kaur, Aditi Sharma, Harminder Pal Singh, Daizy R. Batish, Ravinder Kumar Kohli, Naresh Kumar Arora
Summary: Anthropogenic influences have a significant impact on the distribution and propagation of woody flora in urban environments. Understanding the differences between invasive and non-invasive species can enhance our knowledge of urban invasions. This study compared leaf litter decomposition between an invasive species, Broussonetia papyrifera, and a non-invasive species, Morus alba, in urban habitats. The faster decomposition rate of B. papyrifera contributes to its successful invasion in urban regions.
URBAN FORESTRY & URBAN GREENING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chester B. Zarnoch, Noshin Hossain, Erika Fusco, Mary Alldred, Timothy J. Hoellein, Sophia Perdikaris
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mary Alldred, Jonathan J. Borrelli, Timothy Hoellein, Denise Bruesewitz, Chester Zarnoch
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2020)
Article
Ecology
John J. Kelly, Maxwell G. London, Nina Oforji, Ayomide Ogunsola, Timothy J. Hoellein
FRESHWATER SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Sally A. Entrekin, Emma J. Rosi, Jennifer L. Tank, Timothy J. Hoellein, Gary A. Lamberti
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2020)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chelsea M. Rochman, Timothy Hoellein
Review
Environmental Sciences
Stefan Krause, Viktor Baranov, Holly A. Nel, Jennifer D. Drummond, Anna Kukkola, Timothy Hoellein, Gregory H. Sambrook Smith, Joerg Lewandowski, Berta Bonnet, Aaron Packman, Jon Sadler, Valentyna Inshyna, Steve Allen, Deonie Allen, Laurent Simon, Florian Mermillod-Blondin, Iseult Lynch
Summary: Microplastics are widely distributed in the environment, but the mechanisms by which they enter freshwater food webs and are subject to physical and geological controls are not well understood. This knowledge gap hinders the assessment of exposure risks, ecotoxicological impacts, and public health impacts from microplastics.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Timothy J. Hoellein, Chelsea M. Rochman
Summary: Research on plastics in global ecosystems is rapidly evolving, with oceans being the primary focus and land and freshwater ecosystems often overlooked. A conceptual model was developed to synthesize the sources, fluxes, and fates of plastics in a watershed, highlighting both the components receiving the most attention and the pathways that have been overlooked.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
John J. Kelly, Maxwell G. London, Amanda R. McCormick, Miguel Rojas, John W. Scott, Timothy J. Hoellein
Summary: Microplastics are retained in sludge in wastewater treatment plants, where they harbor diverse bacterial communities including those associated with bioflocculation. Effluent microplastics have higher abundances of bacteria linked to plastic breakdown and some potentially pathogenic taxa compared to influent microplastics. WWTPs can modify the microplastic-associated bacterial assemblages, potentially influencing the fate of microplastics in the environment.
Article
Ecology
Loren Hou, Caleb D. McMahan, Rae E. McNeish, Keenan Munno, Chelsea M. Rochman, Timothy J. Hoellein
Summary: The study found that no microplastics were detected in fish before the 1950s, but from the mid-20th century to 2018, there was a significant increase in microplastic concentrations when data from all fish were considered. Microplastics in fish and sediment showed similar patterns in the 2018 samples, indicating a potential relationship between the two.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Samuel F. Bosio, Patrick A. Shirey, Sally A. Entrekin, Timothy J. Hoellein, Ashley H. Moerke, Emma J. Rosi, Jennifer L. Tank, Gary A. Lamberti
Summary: Long-term monitoring of large wood (LW) additions in three small streams in the midwestern USA revealed that most logs moved within the first 3 years and formed aggregations after 14 years. Factors contributing to log movement included high flow events and log position in the channel. The study suggests that adding LW to small, groundwater-dominated streams can provide sustained ecological benefits with minimal risk to downstream reaches.
RIVER RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Anna E. S. Vincent, Timothy J. Hoellein
Summary: Plastic litter accumulation in ecosystems globally poses a significant threat to the environment, with rivers serving as both sources and transformers of plastic pollution. Despite established methods for studying particle transport dynamics in rivers, there is a lack of research on the transport and retention of microplastics in flowing water. This study found that microplastics exhibit differences in downstream velocity, retention, turnover rates, and spiraling lengths compared to fine particulate organic matter (FPOM), highlighting the complex dynamics of plastic pollution in rivers.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jennifer D. Drummond, Uwe Schneidewind, Angang Li, Timothy J. Hoellein, Stefan Krause, Aaron Packman
Summary: This study found that a significant amount of microplastics are present in rivers, mainly accumulating in riverbed sediment. Model simulations showed that microplastic residence times are longest in river headwaters, with an average accumulation of 5% of microplastic inputs per river kilometer. These findings highlight the importance of considering microplastic accumulation in global assessments.
Article
Ecology
Loren Hou, Rachel McNeish, Timothy J. Hoellein
Summary: This study reveals that the egestion rates of microplastics from aquatic organisms are comparable to the rates of microplastic movement in the environment, suggesting that aquatic organisms may play an important role in microplastic dynamics at the ecosystem scale.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jennifer N. Piacente, Joseph R. Milanovich, Martin B. Berg, Timothy J. Hoellein, Andres G. Munoz, Armand A. Cann, Isabella S. Lentini
JOURNAL OF FRESHWATER ECOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Raul F. Lazcano, Anna E. S. Vincent, Timothy J. Hoellein