A comparison of decomposition rates and biological colonization of leaf litter from tropical and temperate origins

Litter decomposition is an ecosystem process that allows energy and nutrients transfer from dead plant matter into detrital food webs. Several studies revealed leaf litter rates differ across biomes, but the reasons for these differences are not yet clear. Here, we test role of several physical chemical characteristics as predictors whether life forms (evergreen vs. deciduous) in rates. Leaves dominant riparian trees were collected four ecoregions (temperate deciduous forest, subtropical seasonal semideciduous tropical Cerrado dense ombrophylous forest) their measured. We then determined decomposition, colonization by aquatic hyphomycetes macroinvertebrates a same stream (i.e., under environmental conditions), consumption shredders laboratory conditions. Deciduous evergreen tree species did measured characteristics, leaves decompose faster than evergreens. Leaf differed characteristics. temperate decomposed other three ecoregions, generally supported higher hyphomycete richness sporulation shredders. There significant negative correlations between associated biotic variables initial lignin concentration lignin:N ratio. conclude ratio important although unmeasured parameters such micronutrients may also play roles this key process.