Coarse Particulate Organic Matter (CPOM) degradation is a key function, particularly in forest streams, where the process is jointly performed by microorganisms (fungi, bacteria) and detritivorous invertebrates.
A meta-analysis conducted in Phase I of RESIST showed an overall antagonistic effect in the effects of multiple stressors on litter decomposition. In our experiments, we observed that the involvement of macroinvertebrates in litter decomposition, the type of habitat, and the quality of the litter used shaped the stressor interactions (Medina-Madariaga et al., 2024).