Macroinvertebrate community dynamics: strong negative response to salmon redd construction and weak response to salmon-derived nutrient uptake

Honea, Jonathan M.; Gara, R. I.

doi:10.1899/08-030.1

Cited by 22 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 84 publications

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“…This study, together with the current study, contrasts others examining MDN persistence in aquatic consumers, which have generally shown MDN levels to decrease in the months following salmon spawning (Bilby et al 1996, Claeson et al 2006, Walter et al 2006, Reichert et al 2008, Honea and Gara 2009. However, these studies were conducted in Washington, USA streams with lower spawner densities and relatively warm winter water temperatures that would allow higher metabolic rates and tissue turnover.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 86%

“…Studies tracking persistence have generally shown MDN levels to diminish in primary producers (Bilby et al 1996, Claeson et al 2006, Holtgrieve et al 2010, but see Verspoor et al 2010), macroinvertebrates (Bilby et al 1996, Claeson et al 2006, Walter et al 2006, Honea and Gara 2009, and salmonid fishes (Bilby et al 1996, Reichert et al 2008, but see Rinella et al 2012) over the months following salmon spawning. Additional studies that track MDN across multiple trophic levels and from a range of physiographical settings will help ecologists come to a general understanding of the factors that regulate MDN persistence in salmon streams.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Seasonal persistence of marine‐derived nutrients in south‐central Alaskan salmon streams

Rinella

Wipfli

Walker³

et al. 2013

Ecosphere

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Abstract. Spawning salmon deliver annual pulses of marine-derived nutrients (MDN) to riverine ecosystems around the Pacific Rim, leading to increased growth and condition in aquatic and riparian biota. The influence of pulsed resources may last for extended periods of time when recipient food webs have effective storage mechanisms, yet few studies have tracked the seasonal persistence of MDN. With this as our goal, we sampled stream water chemistry and selected stream and riparian biota spring through fall at 18 stations (in six watersheds) that vary widely in spawner abundance and at nine stations (in three watersheds) where salmon runs were blocked by waterfalls. We then developed regression models that related dissolved nutrient concentrations and biochemical measures of MDN assimilation to localized spawner density across these 27 stations. Stream water ammonium-N and orthophosphate-P concentrations increased with spawner density during the summer salmon runs, but responses did not persist into the following fall. The effect of spawner density on d 15 N in generalist macroinvertebrates and three independent MDN metrics (d 15 N, d 34 S, and x3:x6 fatty acids) in juvenile Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma) was positive and similar during each season, indicating that MDN levels in biota increased with spawner abundance and were maintained for at least nine months after inputs. Delta 15 N in a riparian plant, horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile), and scraper macroinvertebrates did not vary with spawner density in any season, suggesting a lack of MDN assimilation by these lower trophic levels. Our results demonstrate the ready assimilation of MDN by generalist consumers and the persistence of this pulsed subsidy in these organisms through the winter and into the next growing season.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 86%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal persistence of marine‐derived nutrients in south‐central Alaskan salmon streams

Rinella

Wipfli

Walker³

et al. 2013

Ecosphere

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“…This is the first study to present evidence of a positive response to salmon nutrients in grazing invertebrate populations so many months after salmon spawning, likely through an algal-mediated pathway. This finding contrasts studies that did not detect any persistent influence of spawning salmon on grazer abundance so many months after spawning Gara 2003, Honea andGara 2009) and studies where Merritt 2006, Lessard et al 2009). These differences show that the delayed ecological influence of salmon nutrients varies greatly among regions.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 62%

“…Many other taxa showed no difference in abundance or growth (Lessard et al 2003, Lessard andMerritt 2006). In coastal Washington, six months after spawning there was no difference in stream invertebrate community composition and abundance between one stream reach with and one without spawning salmon Gara 2003, Honea andGara 2009). It is probable that the retention of salmon nutrients in streams, and thus their influence on stream invertebrate populations, varies with latitude, climate, and watershed geomorphology across the range of Pacific salmon (Gende et al 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Streambed disturbance by spawning salmon may also assist nutrient retention through the re-suspension of fine sediment, which can aggregate with salmon matter into larger particles (Rex and Petticrew 2008). Salmon nitrogen has been detected in multiple trophic levels year-round using stable isotope techniques, thus demonstrating the persistence of salmon nutrients within freshwater ecosystems (e.g., Bilby et al 1996, Hicks et al 2005, Honea and Gara 2009). However, it remains an open question as to the extent that salmon nutrients persist in and have ecological effects on the ecology of streams throughout the year.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Persistent ecological effects of a salmon-derived nutrient pulse on stream invertebrate communities

et al. 2011

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Abstract. Pulsed resource subsidies can have ecological effects that persist over time. These subsidies can be particularly important in aquatic ecosystems, which are often resource-limited. Anadromous salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) deliver annual nutrient pulses to many freshwater ecosystems around the North Pacific. The persistent ecological consequences of this nutrient subsidy are poorly understood across the range of Pacific salmon and likely depend on stream habitat, background nutrient dynamics, and the abundance of spawning salmon. Using a model selection approach, we examined relationships among spawning salmon density, stream habitats, and the abundance and diversity of stream invertebrates ten months after salmon spawning, across 21 streams in central British Columbia, Canada. Total invertebrate abundance increased with salmon density and with higher stream temperatures. Invertebrate diversity was more closely related to stream habitat characteristics than to salmon density. These results suggest that salmon nutrients have a greater impact on stream invertebrate population sizes than on the variety of taxa that inhabit these streams. The three most common invertebrate families-grazing mayflies (Heptageniidae), predatory stoneflies (Chloroperlidae), and chironomid midges (Chironomidae)-all increased in abundance with salmon density. Stream habitat variables (temperature, pH, and substrate size) also explained significant variation in the abundances of the three groups. These results suggest that salmon nutrients retained in the watershed from previous years help support greater abundances of some invertebrate taxa. Thus the pulsed nutrient subsidy provided by spawning salmon may have ecological effects that persist many months, or even years, after it is delivered.Key words: aquatic conservation; ecosystem-based management; fisheries; food web; Fraser River; marine-derived nutrients; nutrient pulse; Oncorhynchus nerka; productivity; resource subsidy.

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Seasonal variation exceeds effects of salmon carcass additions on benthic food webs in the Elwha River

et al. 2016

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Abstract. Dam removal and other fish barrier removal projects in western North America are assumed to boost freshwater productivity via the transport of marine-derived nutrients from recolonizing Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.). In anticipation of the removal of two hydroelectric dams on the Elwha River in Washington State, we tested this hypothesis with a salmon carcass addition experiment. Our study was designed to examine how background nutrient dynamics and benthic food webs vary seasonally, and how these features respond to salmon subsidies. We conducted our experiment in six side channels of the Elwha River, each with a spatially paired reference and treatment reach. Each reach was sampled on multiple occasions from October 2007 to August 2008, before and after carcass placement. We evaluated nutrient limitation status; measured water chemistry, periphyton, benthic invertebrates, and juvenile rainbow trout (O. mykiss) response; and traced salmon-derived nutrient uptake using stable isotopes. Outside of winter, algal accrual was limited by both nitrogen and phosphorous and remained so even in the presence of salmon carcasses. One month after salmon addition, dissolved inorganic nitrogen levels doubled in treatment reaches. Two months after addition, benthic algal accrual was significantly elevated. We detected no changes in invertebrate or fish metrics, with the exception of 15 N enrichment. Natural seasonal variability was greater than salmon effects for the majority of our response metrics. Yet seasonality and synchronicity of nutrient supply and demand are often overlooked in nutrient enhancement studies. Timing and magnitude of salmon-derived nitrogen utilization suggest that uptake of dissolved nutrients was favored over direct consumption of carcasses. The highest proportion of salmon-derived nitrogen was incorporated by herbivores (18-30%) and peaked 1-2 months after carcass addition. Peak nitrogen enrichment in predators (11-16%) occurred 2-3 months after addition. All taxa returned to background δ 15 N levels by 7 months. Since this study was conducted, both dams on the Elwha River were removed over 2011-2014 to open over 90% of the basin to anadromous fishes. We anticipate that as the full portfolio of salmon species expands through the basin, nutrient supply and demand will come into better balance.

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Macroinvertebrate community dynamics: strong negative response to salmon redd construction and weak response to salmon-derived nutrient uptake

Cited by 22 publications

References 84 publications

Seasonal persistence of marine‐derived nutrients in south‐central Alaskan salmon streams

Seasonal persistence of marine‐derived nutrients in south‐central Alaskan salmon streams

Persistent ecological effects of a salmon-derived nutrient pulse on stream invertebrate communities

Seasonal variation exceeds effects of salmon carcass additions on benthic food webs in the Elwha River

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