Decay processes in woody debris influence the taxonomic and functional composition of littoral macroinvertebrates

We examined the effects of woody debris decay state of on the densities, taxonomic and functional composition, and diversity of macroinvertebrates in littoral zones of undeveloped lakes. Our study revealed that the interacting effects of increasing roughness and softness of the wood, as well as changes in the quality of food resources with progressing decomposition of woody debris exerted the strongest impacts on macroinvertebrate communities. Structurally complex, decomposed wood supported higher densities and species richness of macroinvertebrates than undecayed wood. We also found several taxa which were typical for decayed wood, including macroinvertebrates considered as xylophages. Decaying wood underpinned greater functional richness than undecayed wood, with high densities of collector-gatherers and shredders which could benefit from organic matter originating from decomposing wooden tissue, as well as predators attracted by numerous potential prey inhabiting this complex habitat. As decaying wood enhanced abundant and diverse macroinvertebrate communities, which in turn could subsidize upper trophic levels, it provides a valuable habitat in littoral zones, particularly in lakes with already sparse macrophyte cover.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author