Differential Utilization of Allochthonous and Autochthonous Inputs by Aquatic Invertebrates in Some New Zealand Streams: A Stable Carbon Isotope Study

Rounick, J. S.; Winterbourn, Michael J.; Lyon, G. L.

doi:10.2307/3544485

Cited by 165 publications

(167 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…For example, several studies report a similar reduction in d 13 C in a variety of consumer organisms following experimental logging and burning of small catchments in New Zealand and attribute the isotopic shift to increased use of autochthonous energy sources following canopy removal (Rounick et al, 1982;Rounick and Hicks, 1985;Rounick and Winterbourn, 1986). Similarly, Winterbourn et al (1986) reported that macroinvertebrates from open-canopied stream sites in UK were more depleted in 13 C than consumers from closed-canopied forested sites.…”

Section: Long-term Biotic Impacts Via Stable Isotope Analysismentioning

confidence: 89%

“…Prior to isotopic analysis all samples, except fish muscle, were treated with 1N HCl for 24 h to remove any potential carbonates (Rounick et al, 1982), rinsed with distilled water, dried at 65 8C or freeze-dried, and then ground with a mortar and pestle prior to isotopic analysis. Samples of 3-35 mg, depending on the sample type, were weighed into foil containers and combusted in a Carlo Erba CHN Analyzer.…”

Section: Sampling Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Wildfire effects on stream food webs and nutrient dynamics in Glacier National Park, USA

Spencer

Gabel²,

Hauer³

2003

Forest Ecology and Management

164

136

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We documented immediate and mid-term (5 years) impacts on streams from a large (15,500 ha) wildfire in northwestern Montana. Fire-related impacts were ecosystem-wide, extending from water chemistry to fish. During the initial firestorm, phosphorus and nitrogen levels increased 5-to 60-fold above background levels resulting from aerial deposition from smoke and ash. Nutrients returned to background concentrations within several weeks after the fire. During subsequent years, nutrient concentrations periodically increased in fire-impacted sites compared to reference sites, especially during spring run-off.Evidence of post-fire changes was also documented in the aquatic food web via stable isotope analyses. Macroinvertebrates and fish from fire-impacted sites were significantly more enriched in 15 N and depleted in 13 C than consumers from forested reference sites (P < 0:001). The post-fire isotopic shift in consumers was consistent with increased utilization of algae and/or other autochthonous food sources together with decreased reliance on terrestrial leaf litter and other allochthonous food sources. Such a post-fire shift from a detritus based on a periphyton-based food web fits predictions of the river continuum concept following canopy removal and nutrient enrichment.Following decades of active fire suppression, forest managers are now contemplating aggressive efforts to reduce the fuel build-up noted in forests throughout the western US. Such efforts could involve increased use of fire and mechanical thinning and harvest. Results from our work and others suggest that expanded fire activity could mobilize substantial quantities of highly available nutrients to lakes and streams. With significant nutrient delivery mechanisms involving water, as well as airborne transport via smoke and ash, the potential for increased nutrient loadings to surface waters could extend well beyond the catchment of any particular fire. As natural resource managers contemplate expanding the use of fire as a forest restoration tool, they face the dilemma that such efforts could run counter to a decades-long effort to reduce nutrient loadings to lakes and other surface waters threatened by eutrophication. #

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Section: Long-term Biotic Impacts Via Stable Isotope Analysismentioning

confidence: 89%

Section: Sampling Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wildfire effects on stream food webs and nutrient dynamics in Glacier National Park, USA

Spencer

Gabel²,

Hauer³

2003

Forest Ecology and Management

164

136

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, work on a small beech forest stream in the South Island (Middle Bush Stream, Cass) showed that the animals were mainly coarse-and fine-particle detritivores or predators (Winterbourn 1983). The terrestrial nature of most of the paniculate material ingested and assimilated was confirmed by Rounick et al (1982) and contrasted with the condition in a nearby tussock grassland stream where algae assumed much greater significance in insect diets.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Stable carbon isotope analysis was used in this study to investigate whether carbon incorporated into aquatic insect ussue was of terrestrial or aquatic origin. This was possible since the 13 C/ 12 C ratios of terrestrial plants and aquatic algae can differ significantly (Rounick et al 1982), and because the tissue ratios of animals reflect those of the foods they eat (DeNiro & Epstein 1978). Insects for stable carbon analysis were collected from the same 4 sites and 2 additional downstream stations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food resources and ingestion patterns of insects along a west coast, South Island, river system∗

Winterbourn

Cowie

Rounick

1984

New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research

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were similar to those found in the forested tributaries and indicated a return to allochthonous dependence by the fauna. Although algae appeared to be ingested sparingly by stone-surface browsers at forested sites, some such as Deleatidium had I3 C/ 12 C ratios indicating the incorporation of substantial autochthonous carbon. To explain this it is suggested that heterotrophic organisms within stone-surface organic layers use algal exudates as a major source of energy, and that they and their products (e.g., slimes) are subsequently ingested and assimilated by organic layer feeders. AbstractFood utilisation by benthic insect larvae at 6 sites along a West Coast, South Island river system (Devils Creek and the Inangahua River) was studied by gut content and stable carbon isotope analyses. At forested and open sites the dominant materials ingested by all species of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera examined were fine detrital particles in the 0.45-75 um size range. Diatoms and filamentous algae were eaten in varying amounts by some species. Larvae of Deleatidium (Ephemeroptera) and Chironomidae were the numerically dominant prey of the stonefly, Stenoperla prasina at all sites. Stable carbon analyses indicated that most species were dependent largely on carbon of terrestrial origin at forested sites, whereas autochthonous material was used increasingly further down Devils Creek. However, in the large, open Inangahua River "C/ 12 C ratios of insects

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“…Conners & Naiman (1984) determined that between 81 and 95% of organic carbon supplied to first-and second-order streams in pristine boreal forest in eastern Quebec was terrestrially derived. In New Zealand, no comprehensive energy budgets have been calculated, but the faunas of small, forested streams have been shown to depend primarily on allochthonous sources of carbon (Rounick et al 1982;Hicks 1997).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors controlling litter input dynamics in streams draining pasture, pine, and native forest catchments

Scarsbrook¹,

Quinn

Halliday

et al. 2001

New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research

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The effects of varying land use on the inputs of litter to streams were investigated in nine small Waikato, New Zealand, hill country streams between June 1995 and October 1997. Mass, timing, and composition of both vertical and lateral litter inputs were measured. Litter inputs to pasture streams were lower than those to streams in native or exotic pine forest. Litter inputs to native forest streams peaked in summer, with leaf material forming the dominant litter-type throughout the year. The pine forest sites showed a winter minimum, with a pulse of reproductive litter (pollen heads) in spring. One pasture site, where riparian vegetation included willow and poplar showed an autumnal peak, with low inputs at other times of the year. Climate variables (air temperature, rainfall, and windrun) varied in their power of prediction of litter inputs. Mean air temperature showed a strong positive relationship with monthly litter input at the most intensively sampled native forest site. Annual litter inputs were positively related to canopy cover, although canopytype modified this relationship. At several sites lateral inputs of litter showed a positive relationship with the slope of the contributing area. Overall, lateral inputs were positively related to % unvegetated groundcover. In open pastures the combination of a lack of riparian trees, and the potential litter-trapping capacity of pasture grasses, severely limits inputs of coarse particulate organic matter to streams.

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Differential Utilization of Allochthonous and Autochthonous Inputs by Aquatic Invertebrates in Some New Zealand Streams: A Stable Carbon Isotope Study

Cited by 165 publications

References 31 publications

Wildfire effects on stream food webs and nutrient dynamics in Glacier National Park, USA

Wildfire effects on stream food webs and nutrient dynamics in Glacier National Park, USA

Food resources and ingestion patterns of insects along a west coast, South Island, river system∗

Factors controlling litter input dynamics in streams draining pasture, pine, and native forest catchments

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