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The stable isotope compositions (C, N, and S) of hve, senescent, and standing dead Spartina alterniflora were compared in order to determine the effects of aerial decomposition on the isotopic signature of aboveground S. dlterniflora tissue entering the food chain. Aerial decomposition of aboveground S. alterniflora resulted in a 6 to 18% increase in P S , and a 2 to 3 % decrease in 615N values; 613c values were unchanged. We describe mechanisms whereby the activity of fungi and epiphytic microorganisms may contribute to the observed shlfts in and 6I5N, respectively. The 613c value of salt marsh benthic and eplphytic microalgae ranged from -13.0% in summer to -17.6%0 in early spring. Average 6'" values of microalgae and standing dead S. altemiflora were -0 3 and l.?%, respectively, reflecting the activity of NZ-fixing microorganisms. The 615N values for omnivorous and herbivorous salt marsh macrofauna ranged between 7.5 and 2.2% and for predatory Fundulus spp. averaged 9.2%. Given a presumptive + 3 % trophic shift in N assimilation, these results suggest that N2-fixing microorganisms associdted with microalgal communities were an important source of N to salt marsh consumers. The 6% 6'"N, and 6"'s values of primary producers were compared to the values of the following consumers: Fundulus spp., Uca spp., Ilyanassa obsoleta, and Littoraria irrorata. 6I3C VS 6 1 5 ~ and 613C vs 63JS dual isotope plots demonstrated that microalgae and standing dead S. alternjflora are important food resources in the North Carolina (USA) marshes we sampled. In addition, a compilation of literature values suggests that this is true in salt marshes throughout the East and Gulf coasts of North America. Future isotope studies of marsh food webs should include detrital Spartina spp. material in analyses of trophic structure.

marine ecology. progress series

The role of standing dead Spartina alterniflora and benthic microalgae in salt marsh food webs:considerations based on multiple stable isotope analysis