Shelters of leaf-tying herbivores decompose faster than leaves damaged by free-living insects: Implications for nutrient turnover in polluted habitats

Damage by free-living insects (D) reduces decomposition rates of mountain birch (Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii) leaves compared to intact leaves (C), but structuring of litter due to engineering activity of leaf-tying insects (S) counterbalances adverse effects of leaf damage on decomposition processes.60