A meta-analysis of drought effects on litter decomposition in streams

Abstract Droughts, or severe reductions of water flow, are expected to become more frequent and intense in rivers many regions under the ongoing climate change scenario. It is therefore important understand stream ecosystem functioning drought conditions. We performed a meta-analysis studies addressing effects on litter decomposition streams (50 contributing 261 effect sizes) quantify overall this key process identify main moderators controlling these effects. Drought reduced by 43% overall, which can impact energy matter fluxes along heterotrophic food webs. The magnitude depended type (natural > human-induced drought), decomposer community (microbes + macroinvertebrates microbes) natural drought, (warm humid temperate Mediterranean) identity. also increased with severity drought. will likely be strongest abundant shredders undergoing especially if temporary. composition riparian vegetation may modulate decomposition, have management applications.