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Decomposition of litter from submersed macrophytes: the indirect effects of high [CO 2 ]
Author(s) -
TITUS JOHN E.,
PAGANO ANGELA M.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
freshwater biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.297
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2427
pISSN - 0046-5070
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2427.2002.00869.x
Subject(s) - macrophyte , litter , colonisation , nitrogen , plant litter , ecology , decomposition , invertebrate , ecosystem , aquatic plant , environmental science , aquatic ecosystem , zoology , chemistry , biology , colonization , organic chemistry
1. We grew the submersed freshwater macrophyte Vallisneria americana under controlled conditions at low and high [CO 2 ] to produce litter with high and low tissue nitrogen concentration ([N]), respectively. We then followed mass and nitrogen dynamics in situ in this litter to test the indirect effect of [CO 2 ] on its subsequent decomposition and colonisation by macroinvertebrates. 2. Litter from plants grown in high CO 2 initially lost mass and N at a significantly lower rate but, by day 30, both litter types had lost about 90% of mass and N. Litter [N] did not appear to govern decay rate. 3. There was no effect of CO 2 on the pattern of macroinvertebrate colonisation. 4. The potential exists for high [CO 2 ] to increase rates of C and N cycling and, thereby, to increase internal N loading in macrophyte‐dominated shallow water ecosystems.