Biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships in gall-forming insects

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Plant-insect interactions can alter ecosystem processes, especially if the insects modify plant architecture, quality or the quantity of leaf litter inputs. In this study, we investigated the interactions between gall-forming adelgids(Adelgidae) and ezo-spruce(Picea jezoensis) to quantify how the galls affect rates of litter decomposition and nutrient release in an forest ecosystem. Two adelgids species leads to the formation of shoot galls on P. jezoensis. Overall decomposition rate was lower in galled litter relative to ungalled litter. Decomposition rate did not differ between galls induced by two different species. The proportion of N remaining was always higher in galled litter than in ungalled litter indicating differential release of nitrogen in galled litter. Our results illustrate how plant-insect interactions in an tree species can affect ecosystem processes by altering the quality and quantity of litter inputs.