Resource preference of two stream detritivores in the laboratory largely differs from the supply of detritus below eucalypt plantations

Abstract Detritivores are pivotal in forest streams as they process detritus and promote secondary production. Many studies have addressed the preference of freshwater detritivores towards materials differing quality. Nevertheless, few compare resource preferences laboratory with availability field. In present study, feeding two stream (the caddisfly Sericostoma pyrenaicum amphipod Echinogammarus tarragonensis ) , over three native leaf species (alder, chestnut oak) an exotic (eucalypt) were quantified laboratory. Preference for eucalypt leaves conditioned 1, 2 3 weeks was also described. We then contrasted patterns experiments a 15-month-long benthic standing stock time series below deciduous another plantation. Both preferred consuming alder more leaves, although selective than caddisfly. The consumption unmatched by field, especially under plantations amphipod. Our results show that strength high-quality resources can differ among different taxa, which modulate their response to land use changes.