HR: 15:30h
AN: NB14A-01    [Abstracts]
TI: The Role of Road Corridors on Riparian Vegetation and Stream Ecosystem Dynamics.
AU: * Crowl, T
EM: facrowl@cc.usu.edu
AF: Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-5205 United States
AU: Heartsill-Scalley, T
EM: heartsill@cc.usu.edu
AF: Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-5205 United States
AU: Covich, A P
EM: alanc@uga.edu
AF: Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2202 United States
AU: Hein, C L
EM: clhein@cc.usu.edu
AF: Ecology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-5205 United States
AB: Stream ecosystems are dependent on organic material from the riparian zone as a major energy source for the food web. Leaf litter (organic matter) entering streams is processed by a combination of physical and biological mechanisms. In temperate streams, microbial conditioning is important for detrital processing. Much less is known in tropical systems, especially those dominated by large macro-consumers such as decapods. There is also variation among species in terms of processing rates that are explained by nutritional value, chemical defenses and palatability. These traits are a function of plant life history. If riparian species are being significantly altered through invasions by exotic species along road corridors, then we can expect changes in detrital processing rates and ultimately, ecosystem function. As part of a biocomplexity project in Puerto Rico, we are quantifying the changes to species composition and trait-mediated decomposition and foodweb dynamics. Where roads are constructed, exotic invasives include Spathodea, Bambusa, Syzigium and a various grasses. Because of the chemical defenses and their high nutritional value, decomposition rates on these species is much higher than for native riparian species. The increased breakdown rates may `accelerate' ecosystem processes and either enhance or destabilize existing food web linkages.
UR: http://biocomplexity.cnr.colostate.edu
DE: 1803 Anthropogenic effects
SC: North American Benthological Society [NB]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly