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The trophic significance of epilithic algal production in a fertilized tundra river ecosystem
Author(s) -
Peterson Bruce,
Fry Brian,
Deegan Linda,
Hershey Anne
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.1993.38.4.0872
Subject(s) - tundra , trophic level , δ15n , environmental science , algae , food web , ecosystem , ecology , δ13c , organic matter , isotopes of nitrogen , phosphorus , stable isotope ratio , fertilizer , isotope analysis , nitrogen , environmental chemistry , biology , chemistry , physics , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
Fertilization of a pristine tundra river with phosphorus and nitrogen changed the nitrogen and carbon stable isotope ratios in epilithic algae. Determination of δ 15 N and δ' 3 C values in consumers allowed this algal organic matter to be traced in the food web for several kilometers downstream of the fertilizer addition sites. Changes in the isotopic composition of consumers documented the tight coupling between algal production in response to fertilization and measured increases in the growth of insects and fish.