Multiyear resource enrichment creates persistently higher species diversity in a landscape-scale field experiment

J Lancaster; BJ Downes

Journal article

Multiyear resource enrichment creates persistently higher species diversity in a landscape-scale field experiment

J Lancaster, BJ Downes

Ecology | WILEY | Published : 2021

DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3451

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Abstract

Short-term resource enrichment can increase species diversity in communities, but prolonged resource enrichment may result in either a diversity collapse or persistent high species diversity if fluctuation-dependent mechanisms of species coexistence are triggered. We tested the effects of resource enrichment on stream invertebrates by boosting densities of benthic detritus. In a 22-km stream length, we used wooden stakes to enhance retention of detritus at 40-m-long sites; other sites acted as controls. Detritus and invertebrates were sampled prior to treatment and then 1, 2, and 5 yr later. Previously, we reported that detrital densities, species diversity, and densities increased at enrich..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Jill Lancaster Author

Barbara Downes Author

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Grants

Awarded by Australian Research Council

Funding Acknowledgements

This research was supported by grants from the Australian Research Council, including Discovery grants (DP0772854 and DP120103145) awarded to JL and BJD, and a Linkage grant (LP140100054) awarded to BJD and others. We are grateful to local landholders for allowing access to study sites. Special thanks to Alena Glaister, Wim Bovill, and Patrick Pickett for heroic efforts in the field and laboratory. Thanks also to the various people who helped with practical work. Author contributions: Both authors designed and executed the experiment, collected samples, analyzed data, and wrote the paper.