The influence of changes in terrestrial plant community structure on aquatic ecosystem function across the LTER network

Synthesis Riparian zones help maintain regional biodiversity,4 and we hypothesize that alterations to these ecotones could have large impacts on aquatic ecosystem function. Two examples from LTER sites illustrate this hypothesis. Current declines in eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) resulting from woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) infestations are altering riparian tree community composition5 and ecosystem function6 in… Read more »

Disturbance & Variance: Detecting Change in Terrestrial & Aquatic Ecosystems

Proposal for ASM workshop follow-up (coPIs: Rusak, Fraterrigo and Turner) Disturbance and Variance: Detecting change in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems Rationale and Conceptual Framework Populations, communities, and ecosystems vary in space and time. Variability is a fundamental property of natural systems, and its quantification and interpretation cross boundaries between many different disciplines. However, our understanding… Read more »

Functional Response to Resource Change across LTER Sites (Biodiversity of Riparian Ecotones)

Workshop Proposal: Biodiversity of Riparian Ecotones As ecotones between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, riparian zones are templates for the dynamic exchange of energy, nutrients and biological interactions. Recent studies in headwater systems have suggested that these exchanges constitute reciprocal subsidies (sensu Polis et al. 1996) between streams and terrestrial riparian habitats (Nakano & Murakami 2000;… Read more »