Abstract
Litter decomposition rates are affected by a variety of abiotic and biotic factors, including the presence of fungal endophytes in host plant tissues. This review broadly analyzes the findings of 67 studies on the roles of foliar endophytes in litter decomposition, and their effects on decomposition rates. From 29 studies and 1 review, we compiled a comprehensive table of 710 leaf-associated fungal taxa, including the type of tissue these taxa were associated with and isolated from, whether they were reported as endo- or epiphytic, and whether they had reported saprophytic abilities. Aquatic (i.e., in-stream) decomposition studies of endophyte-affected litter were significantly under-represented in the search results (p < 0.0001). Indicator species analyses revealed that different groups of fungal endophytes were significantly associated with cool or tropical climates, as well as specific plant host genera (p < 0.05). Finally, we argue that host plant and endophyte interactions can significantly influence litter decomposition rates and should be considered when interpreting results from both terrestrial and in-stream litter decomposition experiments.
Highlights
Litter decomposition is an essential ecosystem process that significantly contributes to the global carbon cycle
Few studies examined the role of foliar endophytes in the decomposition of litter from non-grass hosts (i.e., Class 2 or 3, or non-clavicipitaceous endophytes), and even fewer studies focused on the effects of endophytes on leaf litter decomposition in aquatic systems
High C:N ratios typically result in slower decomposition, but in Class 1 endophyte-infected (E+) Schedonorus pratensis litter, Gundel et al [58] reported higher C:N ratios and faster overall decomposition rates compared to E- litter, suggesting that other factors may influence endophyte-mediated effects in host grasses
Summary
Litter decomposition is an essential ecosystem process that significantly contributes to the global carbon cycle. Chomel et al [9] reviewed the generally recalcitrant properties of alkaloids, phenolic compounds, and terpenes in litter decomposition, but only briefly covered the roles of endophytes—ubiquitous microbes that mostly live asymptomatically within host plant tissues—in regulating the production of these secondary metabolites in host plants. Both endophytic fungi and bacteria were isolated from healthy plant tissues, including stems, leaves, and roots [10]; their in planta functions are mostly unknown. Ubiquitous within plant tissues, endophyte communities can vary spatially and temporally within host plants [17] and represent an important bridge between host plant characteristics that influence decomposition and the decomposer community
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