Plant litter is the major source of energy and nutrients in stream ecosystems and its decomposition is vital for ecosystem nutrient cycling and functioning. Invertebrates are key contributors to instream litter decomposition, yet quantification of their effects and drivers at the global scale remains lacking. Here, we systematically synthesized data comprising 2707 observations from 141 studies of stream litter decomposition to assess the contribution and drivers of invertebrates to the decomposition process across the globe. We found that (1) the presence of invertebrates enhanced instream litter decomposition globally by an average of 74%; (2) initial litter quality and stream water physicochemical properties were equal drivers of invertebrate effects on litter decomposition, while invertebrate effects on litter decomposition were not affected by climatic region, mesh size of coarse-mesh bags or mycorrhizal association of plants providing leaf litter; and (3) the contribution of invertebrates to litter decomposition was greatest during the early stages of litter mass loss (0-20%). Our results, besides quantitatively synthesizing the global pattern of invertebrate contribution to instream litter decomposition, highlight the most significant effects of invertebrates on litter decomposition at early rather than middle or late decomposition stages, providing support for the inclusion of invertebrates in global dynamic models of litter decomposition in streams to explore mechanisms and impacts of terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric carbon fluxes.

Agritec Plant Research Ltd Zemědělská 16 Šumperk 78701 Czech Republic

CREAF E08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès Catalonia Spain

CSIC Global Ecology Unit CREAF CSIC UAB E08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès Catalonia Spain

Davines Group Rodale Institute European Regenerative Organic Center Via Don Angelo Calzolari 55 a 43126 Parma Italy

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences KU Leuven Celestijnenlaan 200E 3001 Leuven Belgium

Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management University of Copenhagen Frederiksberg 1958 Denmark

Forest and Nature Lab Ghent University Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267 9090 Gontrode Belgium

Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development University Malaysia Terengganu 21030 Kuala Nerus Terengganu Malaysia

Key Laboratory for Humid Subtropical Eco Geographical Processes of the Ministry of Education School of Geographical Sciences Fujian Normal University Fuzhou 350007 China

MARE Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre Department of Life Sciences University of Coimbra 3000 456 Coimbra Portugal

State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture Zhejiang A and F University Lin'an 311300 China

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