Landscape-Scale Food Webs of Fish Nursery Habitat Along a River-Coast Mixing Zone

Hoffman, Joel C.; Kelly, John R.; Peterson, Greg S.; Cotter, Anne M.

doi:10.1007/s12237-014-9880-8

Cited by 23 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…This finding agrees with those of other studies that have found that the turbidity maximum zone is a significant nursery area that positively influences fish growth and condition 66,70 . In addition, a positive relationship between the number of organic matter basal sources and fish production 71 has been suggested.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human pressures on two estuaries of the Iberian Peninsula are reflected in food web structure

Donázar-Aramendía

Sánchez-Moyano

García-Asencio

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

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As a result of the increased urban and agricultural development in coastal environments, estuaries are among the most modified and threatened aquatic ecosystems. This study used stable isotopes to examine the effects of human impacts by contrasting the food web structures of two Iberian estuaries exposed to different degrees of human pressure. More complex feeding pathways were found in the more altered estuary (Guadalquivir). Greater spread among species along the carbon axis suggests that the primary consumers exploit organic matter with various origins, whereas different nitrogen signals of the secondary consumers suggest that they feed on different suites of prey. In contrast, the similar isotopic signals of secondary consumers in the relatively little influenced estuary (Guadiana) suggests similarity in diet composition and feeding on the same organic matter sources. Understanding trophic interactions in estuaries is vital for defining proper management and conservation, and the preliminary data provided here are one step in this direction.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human pressures on two estuaries of the Iberian Peninsula are reflected in food web structure

Donázar-Aramendía

Sánchez-Moyano

García-Asencio

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

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“…Adjacent habitats and ecosystems can be linked both by energy exchange and organisms' movements, as it is the case of estuarine fish (Hoffman et al 2015, Selleslagh et al 2015. In this study, we examined primary consumers with no or with more limited abilities to translocate to different habitats to feed, so they had to utilize the OM sources available locally.…”

Section: Cross-habitat and Cross-ecosystem Connectivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Connectivity between habitats is facilitated by physical exchanges of water and movements or migrations of animals (Vanni et al 2004, Sheaves 2009, Hoffman et al 2015. The cross-habitat movements of nutrients and organic matter (OM) can influence food web dynamics and productivity in the recipient estuarine habitat (Nixon & Buckley 2002, Riley et al 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estuarine consumers utilize marine, estuarine and terrestrial organic matter and provide connectivity among these food webs

Dias¹,

Morais²,

Cotter³

et al. 2016

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The flux of organic matter (OM) across ecosystem boundaries can influence estuarine food web dynamics and productivity. However, this process is seldom investigated taking into account all the adjacent ecosystems (e.g. ocean, river, land) and different hydrological settings (i.e. river discharge). Therefore, we aimed to quantify the contribution of autochthonous and allochthonous OM to the lower food web along the estuarine salinity gradient, under different river discharge conditions. The carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stable isotope ratios of pelagic (zooplankton) and benthic (Corbicula fluminea) primary consumers indicated that they rely on a mixture of autochthonous and allochthonous OM, including terrestrial-derived OM. Unexpectedly, the highest contribution of terrestrial-derived OM to the estuarine food web was observed during a low river discharge period (up to 70%), that succeeded a large winter flood, showing that extreme weather events may produce prolonged effects on estuarine food webs. The contribution of marine-derived OM was higher during low river discharge periods (up to 88%) and was restricted to the seaward end of the estuary. Concomitantly, the contribution of phytoplankton to primary consumers was the highest observed (up to 91%). Further, both pelagic and benthic consumers also relied on benthic C (i.e. sediment OM and microphytobenthos). This study demonstrates that primary consumers enhance connectivity between estuarine ecosystems by utilizing subsidies of terrestrial and marine origin, and also between estuarine habitats through reliance on pelagic and benthic OM.

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“…We did not expect similar within‐colony variation at Ashland Island because a comparable habitat‐based difference in Hg contamination does not exist within Chequamegon Bay. Because a distinct isotopic gradient does not exist within Chequamegon Bay (Hoffman et al 2015a), we could not take an equivalent analytical approach with Ashland Island birds.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Foraging Ecology Differentiates Life Stages and Mercury Exposure in Common Terns (Sterna hirundo)

Bracey

Etterson

Strand

et al. 2020

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

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Some populations of common terns (Sterna hirundo) breeding at inland lakes in North America are declining, including the Laurentian Great Lakes. Terns nesting at inland colonies forage in freshwater during the breeding season and primarily in coastal marine environments during the nonbreeding season. As piscivores, they are susceptible to dietary Hg exposure. To characterize patterns of Hg exposure in this population, we 1) quantified within and among season differences in total mercury (THg) concentrations (μg/g) in blood and feathers at 2 Lake Superior breeding colonies, and 2) documented spatial and temporal variation in exposure by studying adult foraging ecology using geospatial tracking devices and stable isotopes. We used general linear models to assess the relationship between isotopic composition and THg concentrations in bird tissues relative to sex, age, colony location, and season. The THg concentrations were lowest in winter‐grown feathers (geometric mean [95% confidence limits]): 1.32 (1.09–1.59) μg/g dw (n = 60), higher at the more industrially influenced colony (chick feathers: 4.95 [4.62–5.37] μg/g dw [n = 20]), and increased with a riverine‐based diet. During the breeding season, Hg exposure varied along a gradient from lake to river, with adult females having lower blood THg concentrations than males (females: 0.83 [0.67–1.03]) μg/g ww (n = 7); males: 1.15 (0.92–1.45) μg/g ww (n = 5). Stable isotope values suggested adults obtained 42 ± 12% (n = 12) of their diet from the river during incubation, which was validated with tracking data. During chick‐rearing, chicks obtained 68 ± 19% (n = 44) of their diet from the river. Our results indicate colony location, foraging behavior, and season influenced Hg exposure for these Lake Superior colonies and underscores the importance of local contamination with respect to exposure. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:398–410. © 2020 SETAC

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Landscape-Scale Food Webs of Fish Nursery Habitat Along a River-Coast Mixing Zone

Cited by 23 publications

References 46 publications

Human pressures on two estuaries of the Iberian Peninsula are reflected in food web structure

Human pressures on two estuaries of the Iberian Peninsula are reflected in food web structure

Estuarine consumers utilize marine, estuarine and terrestrial organic matter and provide connectivity among these food webs

Foraging Ecology Differentiates Life Stages and Mercury Exposure in Common Terns (Sterna hirundo)

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