Extreme rainfall events alter the trophic structure in bromeliad tanks across the Neotropics
Nenhuma Miniatura disponível
Data
2020-12-01
Autores
Romero, Gustavo Q.
Marino, Nicholas A. C.
MacDonald, A. Andrew M.
Céréghino, Régis
Trzcinski, M. Kurtis
Mercado, Dimaris Acosta
Leroy, Céline
Corbara, Bruno
Farjalla, Vinicius F.
Barberis, Ignacio M.
Título da Revista
ISSN da Revista
Título de Volume
Editor
Resumo
Changes in global and regional precipitation regimes are among the most pervasive components of climate change. Intensification of rainfall cycles, ranging from frequent downpours to severe droughts, could cause widespread, but largely unknown, alterations to trophic structure and ecosystem function. We conducted multi-site coordinated experiments to show how variation in the quantity and evenness of rainfall modulates trophic structure in 210 natural freshwater microcosms (tank bromeliads) across Central and South America (18°N to 29°S). The biomass of smaller organisms (detritivores) was higher under more stable hydrological conditions. Conversely, the biomass of predators was highest when rainfall was uneven, resulting in top-heavy biomass pyramids. These results illustrate how extremes of precipitation, resulting in localized droughts or flooding, can erode the base of freshwater food webs, with negative implications for the stability of trophic dynamics.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Como citar
Nature Communications, v. 11, n. 1, 2020.