Data from Zampini et al. 2026: Temperature accelerates decomposition and controls carbon use efficiency for microbes and shredding caddisflies

This dataset supports the analyses and figures presented in the article “Temperature accelerates decomposition and controls carbon use efficiency for microbes and shredding caddisflies” published in Ecosphere (Accepted 12/16/2025). Data include chamber-level decomposition and microbial biomass measurements from two mesocosm experiments, replicate decay rate constants, repeated-measures microbial respiration data, pooled microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE), and individual- and chamber-level caddisfly consumption, assimilation, and growth metrics. All files are organized by experiment and correspond directly to the results and supplemental material reported in the manuscript.Authors:Michael C. Zampini, Steven A. Thomas, Benjamin J. Koch, George W. Koch, Paul Dijkstra, Jane C. MarksJournal:Ecosphere (accepted 12/16/2025)Description:These data support a field-based artificial stream experiment examining how temperature regulatescarbon fluxes from leaf litter through microbes and shredding caddisflies. The datasets includemeasurements of litter decomposition, leaching losses, microbial respiration and biomass,microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE), caddisfly consumption, carbon assimilation, growth, andmultiple estimates of invertebrate CUE.Files:1. Decomposition_kvalue.csvContains litter decomposition rate coefficients (k) calculated from exponential decay modelsfor each leaf species, temperature treatment, and experimental replicate.2. Arrhenius_Activation_Energy.csvContains activation energy (Ea) estimates derived from Arrhenius models for microbial-onlyand invertebrate-inclusive decomposition pathways.3. Leaching.csvDry mass and carbon loss due to leaching (DOC) measured after 48 h incubations for each leaf typeand temperature.4. Microbial_Respiration.csvRates of CO2 production (mg C-CO2 g⁻¹ litter) measured from microbial litter packs acrosstemperature treatments and sampling dates.5. Microbial_Biomass_Litter_Mass_Remaining.csvMicrobial biomass carbon and remaining litter mass measured on days 2, 30, and 55.6. Microbial_CUE.csvMicrobial carbon use efficiency calculated as:CUE = C biomass / (C biomass + C respired)7. Caddisfly_Consumption.csvApparent litter carbon consumption by caddisflies calculated from differences between feedingand fine-mesh treatments.8. Caddisfly_Assimilation_Growth_Biomass.csvCarbon assimilation from 13C tracing (mg C), net biomass growth (mg C), and total biomass carbon (mg C) for individualcaddisflies.9. Caddisfly_CUE_assim_CUE_growth.csvCaddisfly carbon use efficiency calculated using:- Assimilation-based CUE = Assimilated C / Consumed C- Growth-based CUE = Net growth C / Consumed C10. Caddisfly_CUE_Trophic_.csvCaddisfly CUE expressed as trophic efficiency: percentage of decomposed litter carbon assimilatedinto invertebrate biomass.Notes:All units are reported in the data files. These datasets represent raw or minimally processedexperimental measurements and directly underlie all figures and tables in the manuscript.