Effects of exotic tree plantations on plant litter decomposition in streams

Abstract

The need for tree-derived industrial products is causing an increase in the land surface covered by fast-growing monoculture plantations throughout the world. Species planted are selected mostly prioritizing their rapid growth, with less consideration to minimizing the negative environmental effects they create. Among the various ecosystems that can be negatively affected by plantations, streams are among the most impacted, as they strongly depend on dead organic matter from the surrounding vegetation. Changes in land use in favour of monocultures can have large consequences on stream biodiversity and functioning since they can lead to alterations in the diversity, quantity, quality and timing of litter inputs. Here, we review the literature dealing with the effects of plantations on litter decomposition in streams, with special focus on eucalyptus and conifer plantations, which have been more thoroughly studied than other planted tree species. The effects of plantations on litter decomposition in streams have a degree of regional specificity, and depend on the composition of detritivores, litter characteristics (of native and exotic species) and local environmental conditions. There is, nonetheless, a need for further research describing the effects of specific planted exotic species and for more studies out of Europe and North America.