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Rates of decomposition and nutrient release of herbivore inputs are driven by habitat microsite characteristics
Author(s) -
Guernsey Noelle C.,
Lohse Kathleen A.,
Bowyer R. Terry
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
ecological research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.628
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1440-1703
pISSN - 0912-3814
DOI - 10.1007/s11284-015-1296-9
Subject(s) - riparian zone , nutrient , nutrient cycle , ecosystem , feces , nitrate , ecology , soil water , ammonium , herbivore , habitat , decomposition , environmental science , environmental chemistry , chemistry , zoology , agronomy , biology , organic chemistry
Ungulates use habitat with differential microclimate characteristics; therefore, fecal inputs to a particular habitat may result in vastly different rates of decomposition and nutrient release. We tested this hypothesis and conducted a 1‐year decomposition experiment where we deployed fecal samples from Shiras moose ( Alces alces shirasi ) and subsequently measured loss of fecal mass, nutrient release captured with resin bags, and associated consequences for nitrogen (N) cycling in soils. The microhabitat type in which fecal samples were deployed influenced rates of decomposition observed; samples experienced faster rates of decomposition in a riparian habitat type than a conifer site. Cumulative nutrient losses as nitrate (NO 3 − ) measured with anion and cation exchange resin bags were significantly higher in the conifer site (0.08 g N/feces) than the riparian site (0.02 g N/feces), whereas ammonium (NH 4 + ) losses, though higher than nitrate losses, were not significantly different between the riparian site (0.40 g N/feces) and the conifer site (0.26 g N/feces) after 1‐year. Concentrations of soil NH 4 + and NO 3 − beneath the fecal samples in the riparian site were significantly higher relative to control soils after 1 year, but no differences were detected in the conifer site. Cumulatively, our findings supported our hypothesis that fecal deposition by large herbivores can strongly influence nutrient releases to the ecosystem through the decomposition of fecal matter. Such nutrient additions may have direct effects on N cycling in soil and provide valuable inputs that are available for plant uptake and subsequent growth.