Contrasting effects of hemiparasites on ecosystem processes: can positive litter effects offset the negative effects of parasitism?

Oecologia
Marko J Spasojevic, Katharine N Suding

Abstract

Hemiparasites are known to influence community structure and ecosystem functioning, but the underlying mechanisms are not well studied. Variation in the impacts of hemiparasites on diversity and production could be due to the difference in the relative strength of two interacting pathways: direct negative effects of parasitism and positive effects on N availability via litter. Strong effects of parasitism should result in substantial changes in diversity and declines in productivity. Conversely, strong litter effects should result in minor changes in diversity and increased productivity. We conducted field-based surveys to determine the association of Castilleja occidentalis with diversity and productivity in the alpine tundra. To examine litter effects, we compared the decomposition of Castilleja litter with litter of four other abundant plant species, and examined the decomposition of those four species when mixed with Castilleja. Castilleja was associated with minor changes in diversity but almost a twofold increase in productivity and greater foliar N in co-occurring species. Our decomposition trials suggest litter effects are due to both the rapid N loss of Castilleja litter and the effects of mixing Castilleja litter with...Continue Reading

References

May 5, 2005·The New Phytologist·Malcolm C Press, Gareth K Phoenix
Jul 25, 2007·Ecology·Amy E MillerKatharine Nash Suding
Jun 1, 1994·Journal of Chemical Ecology·C S White
Mar 1, 1998·Oecologia·Ragan M Callaway, Steven C Pennings
May 1, 2002·Oecologia·Steven C Pennings, Ragan M Callaway

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Citations

Jan 5, 2012·Oecologia·Victoria A Borowicz, Joseph E Armstrong
Jul 13, 2012·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·David M Watson, Matthew Herring
Jan 30, 2013·The New Phytologist·James P FisherDuncan D Cameron
Jul 23, 2015·Journal of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology : JARO·Nima MaftoonWillem F Decraemer
Sep 12, 2012·Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology·Mathieu CharleboisW Robert J Funnell
Oct 31, 2019·PloS One·Nicole E RaffertyPaul D Nabity
Apr 2, 2021·Plant Physiology·Jakub TěšitelDavid M Watson

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