Decomposition in Aquatic and Terrestrial Invaded Systems: DATIS

Contacts: Tracy Gartner, Carthage College: tgartner@carthage.edu

Initiated: 2012

Project Status: Concluded. No longer accepting collaborators.

Description

Ecosystem processes will be affected by climate change and through this research project we addressed this effect by measuring decomposition rates at a wide variety of geographical locations with different climatic conditions. Leaf decomposition in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems is a critical ecosystem level process. These processes have been studied extensively as separate ecosystems for many different species of plants. Decomposition of invasive plant’s leaves have also been studied in many different conditions, ecosystems and climates. We evaluated leaf decomposition rates in paired terrestrial and aquatic systems and compared native and invasive plant species decomposition rates in different climatic conditions.

 Hypotheses/Objectives: The goals of this study were to:

1. Develop and test integrative protocols to unite aquatic and terrestrial decomposition
2. Identify the threshold of invasive plant abundance necessary to affect ecosystem processes (as defined by mass loss/decomposition and C, N, P, and Ca dynamics)

Summary of Methods: We used standard methods to measure decomposition rates in all research sites and to evaluate both terrestrial and aquatic decomposition rates. In addition to the two types of ecosystems, we will also compare the decomposition rates of native and invasive plant species in a variety of geographical locations.

Expanded project info: EREN DATIS Protocols Revised Aug 30 2013 – updated protocol link coming soon.

Curriculum: Decomposition Curriculum – updated curriculum link coming soon.

Other Project Materials:

• DATIS Spreadsheet (Revised February 2013)
• View the Decomposition Project Participants and the Map of Participating Institutions

Publications:

• A feature article on strategies for incorporating distributed-network research into undergraduate teaching was published by researchers from EREN’s DATIS Project: Gartner et al. (2020) Strategies for Incorporating Long-Term, Distributed-Network Research Projects into the Undergraduate Curriculum: Lessons from Ecological Research as Education Network’s Decomposition Project. The American Biology Teacher. 82(3):142-148. https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2020.82.3.142
• Hornbach, D.J., K.L. Shea, J.J. Dosch, C.L. Thomas, T.B. Gartner, A. Aguilera, L.J. Anderson, K. Geedey, C. Mankiewicz, B.R. Pohlad and R.E. Schultz (2021). Decomposition of leaf litter from native and non-native woody plants in terrestrial and aquatic systems in the eastern and upper midwestern US. American Midland Naturalist 186: 51-75. https://doi.org/10.1674/0003-0031-186.1.51

In Memoriam: We remember with appreciation the significant contributions of project co-leader Carolyn Thomas.