Effects of Seabirds on Plant Communities

Ellis, Julie C.; Bellingham, Peter J.; Cameron, E. K.; Croll, Donald A.; Kolb, Gundula S.; Kueffer, Christoph; Mittelhauser, Glen H.; Schmidt, Susanne; Vidal, Éric; Wait, D. Alexander

doi:10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780199735693.003.0006

Cited by 21 publications

(22 citation statements)

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“…Nesting birds introduce nutrients to ecosystems low in nutrients, thus changing soil trophy and habitat conditions (Stempniewicz et al 2006;Smykla et al 2007;Jakubas et al 2008;Huang et al 2014;Zwolnicki et al 2015). This, in turn, causes changes in the quantity and mass of vascular plant communities and cyanobacterial and algal assemblages in the vicinity of nesting locations (Elvebakk 1994;Matuła et al 2007;Zmudczyńska et al 2009;Richter et al 2009;Kolb et al 2010;Ellis et al 2011;Mulder et al 2011;Richter et al 2014Richter et al , 2015aWojciechowska et al 2015;Zmudczyńska-Skarbek et al 2015a, b).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cyanobacterial and algal diversity in the vicinity of two different seabird colonies in Spitsbergen

Pietryka¹,

Richter²,

Matuła³

2016

Polish Polar Research

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Abstract:The aim of the study was to compare cyanobacterial and algal assemblages occurring in ornithocoprophilous habitats formed under the influence of two seabird colonies (mixed colony of piscivorous Uria lomvia and Rissa tridactyla and planktivorous Alle alle) nesting on the southwest side of Hornsund (Spitsbergen). Various influences of the bird colonies (e.g. surface trophy, treading) lead to the formation of ornithogenic habitats with quantitatively and qualitatively diverse cyanobacterial and algal assemblages. Only 6 species common to both habitats were identified, but due to their different proportions the similarity ended there. Cyanobacterial and algal assemblages of both ornithogenic habitats also react rather differently to the intensity of the bird colonies' influence. The assemblages located directly beneath piscivorous bird nests were characterized by a larger number of species, which decreased the farther from the colony it was. Cyanobacterial and algal assemblages located directly next to planktivorous bird nests were species poor, but species richness increased at locations farther from their direct influence. The obtained results confirmed that bird colonies characterized by different diet and behavior influenced the formation of two separate, quantitatively and qualitatively different cyanobacterial and algal assemblages. Species such as Eucapsis sp., Gleocapsopsis sp., Gloeothece sp., Woronichinia sp., Hematococcus sp. were characteristic for algae and cyanobacteria assemblages in the vicinity of piscivorous bird colonies, whereas Aphanocapsa sp., Gloeothece sp., Komvophoron minutum, Pseudanabaena sp., Gloeocystis sp. 2 occurred in the vicinity of planktivorous bird colonies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cyanobacterial and algal diversity in the vicinity of two different seabird colonies in Spitsbergen

Pietryka¹,

Richter²,

Matuła³

2016

Polish Polar Research

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“…60 t dry mass of feces km -2 within the breeding colony, and ∼25 t km -2 area around the colony (Stempniewicz, 1990). Such enormous amounts of fertilization, constituting locally the major source of nutrients for terrestrial ecosystems, have large impacts on arctic plant communities (Erskine et al, 1998; Ellis, 2005; Ellis et al, 2011; Zwolicki et al, 2015, 2016). Seabird nesting sites and their vicinities are characterized by much higher concentrations of ammonium, nitrate, phosphate, and many other salts as compared to areas beyond the influence of the birds (Anderson and Polis, 1999; García et al, 2002; Zwolicki et al, 2013, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential Responses of Arctic Vegetation to Nutrient Enrichment by Plankton- and Fish-Eating Colonial Seabirds in Spitsbergen

Zwolicki

Zmudczyńska-Skarbek

Matuła³

et al. 2016

Front. Plant Sci.

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The role of seabirds as sea-land biovectors of nutrients is well documented. However, no studies have examined whether and how colonial seabirds that differ in diet may influence terrestrial vegetation. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to describe and compare plant communities located in the vicinity of the two most common types of seabird colonies in Arctic, occupied by piscivorous or planktivorous species. Within 46 plots arranged in four transects in the vicinity of planktivorous (little auk, Alle alle) and piscivorous colonies (mixed colony of Brunnich’s guillemot, Uria lomvia, and black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla) we measured the following: guano deposition, physical and chemical characteristics of soil, total nitrogen and its stable isotope signatures in soil and plants, ground vegetation cover of vascular plants and mosses, and the occurrence of lichens, algae and cyanobacteria. Using LINKTREE analysis, we distinguished five plant communities, which reflected declining influence along a birds fertilization gradient measured as guano deposition. SIMPROOF test revealed that these communities differed significantly in species composition, with the differences related to total soil nitrogen content and δ15N, distinctive levels of phosphates, potassium and nitrates, and physical soil properties, i.e., pH, conductivity and moisture. The communities were also clearly distinguished by distance from the bird colony. The two colony types promoted development of specific plant communities: the immediate vicinity of the planktivorous colony characterized by a Deschampsia alpina–Cerastium arcticum community while under the piscivorous colony a Cochlearia groenlandica–Poa alpina community was present. Despite the similar size of the colonies and similar magnitude of guano input, differences between ornithogenic communities were connected mostly to phosphate content in the soil. Our results show that the guano input from seabirds which have different diets can affect High Arctic vegetation in specific and more complex ways than previously realized.

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“…Birds that forage at sea and breed on land deposit large amounts of guano, eggshells, feathers, and carcasses near their colonies, thus initiating the formation of ornithogenic soils and thereby facilitating the development of associated tundra communities, with increased primary and secondary production and biodiversity (Mulder et al 2011;Ellis et al 2011). This large-scale transport of organic and inorganic matter from sea to land is crucial for many Arctic and Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems, which otherwise are characterized by chronic deficiency of certain nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium (Ryan and Watkins 1989;Cocks et al 1998;Stempniewicz 2005;Bokhorst et al 2007;Smith and Froneman 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Guano deposition and nutrient enrichment in the vicinity of planktivorous and piscivorous seabird colonies in Spitsbergen

et al. 2012

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The crucial role of seabirds in the enrichment of nutrient-poor polar terrestrial ecosystem is well-known. However, no studies have examined the potentially different impacts associated with piscivorous and planktivorous bird colonies on the surrounding tundra soils. Therefore, we compared guano deposition and physical and chemical parameters of soil near two large seabird colonies, one of planktivorous little auks (Alle alle) and the other comprising piscivorous Brunnich's guillemots (Uria lomvia) and kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla). The two colonies generated similar levels of guano deposition, with the intensity of deposition decreasing away from the colony. Guano deposition adjacent to both colonies was considerably higher than that in control areas. The increased guano supply around colonies significantly enhanced soil conductivity, nitrogen (NO 3 -, NH 4 ? ), potassium (K ? ), and phosphate (PO 4 3-) ion concentrations and led to reduced pH values. Guano deposition explained 84 % (piscivorous colony) and 67 % (planktivorous colony) of the total variation in the tested soil parameters. Planktivore and piscivore colonies affected adjacent tundra in different ways. The phosphate content and pH value of soil influenced by piscivores were significantly higher than values measured in planktivore-influenced soil. The gradient of guano deposition and associated ion content in the soil decreased more rapidly with distance from the piscivore colony. Climate-induced changes in populations of planktivorous and piscivorous seabirds are expected in the study region and may therefore have substantial consequential effects on Arctic terrestrial ecosystems.

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Effects of Seabirds on Plant Communities

Cited by 21 publications

References 0 publications

Cyanobacterial and algal diversity in the vicinity of two different seabird colonies in Spitsbergen

Cyanobacterial and algal diversity in the vicinity of two different seabird colonies in Spitsbergen

Differential Responses of Arctic Vegetation to Nutrient Enrichment by Plankton- and Fish-Eating Colonial Seabirds in Spitsbergen

Guano deposition and nutrient enrichment in the vicinity of planktivorous and piscivorous seabird colonies in Spitsbergen

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