DOCSLIB.ORG

Sediment Fe:PO4 Ratio As a Diagnostic and Prognostic Tool for the Restoration of Macrophyte Biodiversity in Fen Waters

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Sediment Fe:PO4 Ratio As a Diagnostic and Prognostic Tool for the Restoration of Macrophyte Biodiversity in Fen Waters Freshwater Biology (2008) 53, 2101–2116 doi:10.1111/j.1365-2427.2008.02038.x APPLIED ISSUES Sediment Fe:PO4 ratio as a diagnostic and prognostic tool for the restoration of macrophyte biodiversity in fen waters JEROEN J. M. GEURTS*,†,ALFONSJ.P.SMOLDERS*,†, JOS T. A. VERHOEVEN‡,JANG.M. ROELOFS* AND LEON P. M. LAMERS* *Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Biology, Institute for Wetland and Water Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands †B-WARE Research Centre, Radboud University Nijmegen, Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands ‡Landscape Ecology, Institute of Environmental Biology, Utrecht University, Sorbonnelaan 16, 3584 CA Utrecht, The Netherlands SUMMARY 1. Globally, freshwater wetlands, including fen waters, are suffering from biodiversity loss due to eutrophication, water shortage and toxic substances, and to mitigate these pressures numerous restoration projects have been launched. Water quality data are generally used to evaluate the chances of reestablishment of aquatic vegetation in fen waters and shallow peat lakes. Here we investigated whether sediment characteristics, which are less prone to fluctuate in time, would result in more reliable predictions. 2. To test if sediment characteristics can indeed be used not only for an easy and early diagnosis of nutrient availability and water quality changes in fen waters, but also for the prognosis of biodiversity response, we recorded the aquatic vegetation and collected surface water, sediment pore water and sediment samples in 145 fen waters in the Netherlands, Ireland and Poland. 3. Endangered macrophyte species were more closely related to surface water chemis- try than common species in terms of occurrence and abundance. Sites featuring endangered species appeared to have significantly lower turbidity and pH, and lower concentrations of SO4,PO4, total phosphorus (TP) and NH4 than other sites. 4. PO4 and TP concentrations in the water layer increased markedly at PO4 concentra- )1 tions above 5–10 lmol L in the sediment pore water. High surface water PO4 and TP concentrations appeared to be SO4-induced and only occurred below certain threshold )1 )1 values for pore water Fe:PO4 (3.5 mol mol ) and total sediment Fe:P (10 mol mol ). 5. Interestingly, the occurrence of endangered species also correlated strongly with sediment and sediment pore water ratios; the number of endangered species increased )1 markedly at pore water Fe:PO4 ratios above 1 mol mol , whereas their actual ) abundance had the greatest increase at ratios above 10 mol mol 1. Additionally, endangered species seemed to be more sensitive to accumulation of potentially toxic substances such as sulphide and ammonium than non-endangered species. 6. As an indicator of both biogeochemical processes and biodiversity, pore water Fe:PO4 ratios could be a valuable diagnostic and prognostic tool for the restoration of water Correspondence: Jeroen J. M. Geurts, Aquatic Ecology and Environmental Biology, Institute for Wetland and Water Research, Radboud University Nijmegen, Toernooiveld 1, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands. E-mail [email protected] Ó 2008 The Authors, Journal compilation Ó 2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2101 2102 J. J. M. Geurts et al. quality and biodiversity in fen waters, e.g. for selecting the most promising sites for restoration and for optimization of restoration measures. Keywords: aquatic macrophytes, fen restoration, iron, phosphate, sediment needed for good prediction of vegetation responses, Introduction although alkalinity seems quite conservative (Ves- Worldwide, freshwater wetlands are being threatened tergaard & Sand-Jensen, 2000). By contrast, the by anthropogenic disturbance, causing huge biodi- predictive power of certain sediment characteristics versity losses (Lake et al., 2000; Dudgeon et al., 2006). may be greater than water chemistry because they are In recent decades, many fen waters in the Netherlands more stable over time and indicative of several have deteriorated, mainly due to eutrophication and important sediment processes, such as nutrient avail- pollution (Smolders & Roelofs, 1995a; Lamers et al., ability in the sediment and nutrient fluxes from the 2001, 2002a). Several characteristic aquatic macro- sediment to the overlaying water. Hence, sediment phytes, such as Stratiotes aloides L., Potamogeton com- characteristics might be more appropriate and less pressus L. and Potamogeton acutifolius Link have expensive than water quality data for estimating the declined in lakes, ditches and turf ponds (Roelofs, chances of reestablishment of aquatic vegetation. 1991; Lamers, Smolders & Roelofs, 2002b; Smolders Aquatic macrophytes are known to be capable of et al., 2003a). For rooting macrophyte species sedi- regulating both water quality and sediment charac- ment is very important with respect to nutrient teristics by reducing sediment resuspension, erosion availability and toxicity. Moreover, in these shallow, and turbidity (Madsen et al., 2001; No˜ges et al., 2003) mostly phosphorus-limited fen waters (N:P in plant and by influencing the phosphorus availability both tissue >16; Koerselman & Meuleman, 1996; Verhoe- positively and negatively (Wigand, Stevenson & ven, Koerselman & Meuleman, 1996; Wassen et al., Cornwell, 1997; Søndergaard et al., 2003). It is thus 2005), sediment plays a key role in determining water obvious that sediment properties are both a product quality, due to the small water volume per unit of and a limiter of aquatic macrophyte growth (Barko sediment surface and the lack of a thermocline. et al., 1991). Therefore, biogeochemical processes in the sediment, General mechanisms of phosphorus binding, and wind-induced resuspension and bioturbation have a more specifically phosphate (PO4) binding, by iron great impact on water quality and growth of algae and (Fe), aluminium (Al) and calcium (Ca) compounds in submerged macrophytes in these systems (Barko, sediment and pore water have been investigated to Gunnison & Carpenter, 1991; Søndergaard, Jensen & determine thresholds for PO4 mobilization to the Jeppesen, 2003). Moreover, luxuriant growth of algae surface water (e.g. Jensen et al., 1992; Golterman, 1998; and certain fast-growing aquatic macrophyte species Smolders et al., 2001; Zak, Gelbrecht & Steinberg, will outcompete rooting macrophytes for light, even if 2004; Maassen, Uhlmann & Roske, 2005). PO4 immo- the sediment is P-rich. bilization by Fe, Fe oxides or Fe hydroxides is redox- Many studies have shown that growth of aquatic dependent and especially sensitive to sulphate (SO4) macrophytes is related to water quality (Onaindia, De input via surface water or ground water. Under Bikuna & Benito, 1996; Lougheed, Crosbie & Chow- anaerobic circumstances, SO4 and Fe reduction lead Fraser, 2001; James et al., 2005). Species composition is to sulphide production, FeSx formation and mobiliza- thus indicative of water quality and, conversely, water tion of Fe-bound PO4 (Fig. 1; Smolders & Roelofs, quality data can be used to predict the restoration of 1993; Roden & Edmonds, 1997; Wetzel, 2001; Lamers aquatic vegetation in shallow lakes (Bloemendaal & et al., 2002a). In addition, there will be competition Roelofs, 1988; Grasmu¨ ck et al., 1995; Goslee, Brooks & between SO4 and PO4 for anion binding sites (Caraco, Cole, 1997; Van den Berg, Joosse & Coops, 2003). Cole & Likens, 1989; Beltman et al., 2000), and SO4 Water quality, however, is subject to large temporal could also stimulate organic matter decomposition fluctuations (e.g. due to seasonal influences or plant and alkalinization (Drever, 1997). All of these pro- and algal growth), so that frequent sampling is cesses result in PO4 being released from the sediment Ó 2008 The Authors, Journal compilation Ó 2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Freshwater Biology, 53, 2101–2116 Sediment Fe:PO4 ratio and fen biodiversity 2103 Considering the importance of these biogeochemi- cal interactions for the functioning of macrophytes in fen waters, we assume that sediment and sediment pore water characteristics may be important not only for an understanding of sediment biogeochemical processes determining water quality in shallow peat lakes, but also for the prediction of the response of plant species composition to restoration measures. Therefore, we investigated the distribution of aquatic and semi-aquatic macrophytes in 145 fen waters in the Netherlands, Ireland and Poland in relation to surface water, pore water and other sediment characteristics, focusing on the occurrence of endangered species. Specifically, we evaluate the use of sediment para- meters as a diagnostic and prognostic tool for wetland management in relation to ecological rehabilitation and the development of new nature reserves. Methods Field sampling Between 2002 and 2006, surface water and pore water samples were taken from 145 different fen waters from 15 areas in the Netherlands and two reference Fig. 1 Schematic diagram showing relevant biogeochemical sites in Ireland and Poland (Table 1). Both species-rich interactions in surface water and sediment of fen waters. Arrows and species-poor study sites were included, covering indicate net fluxes of chemical variables. Input of polluted sur- shallow peat lakes, turf ponds, peat ditches and face water or ground water leads to SO4 reduction, FeSx for- terrestrializing fen waters in different geographical mation, alkalinization and mineralization in anaerobic regions (Fig. 2). At each site, vegetation releve´es were sediments. This may result in H2S
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Freshwater Ecosystems and Biodiversity
    Network of Conservation Educators & Practitioners Freshwater Ecosystems and Biodiversity Author(s): Nathaniel P. Hitt, Lisa K. Bonneau, Kunjuraman V. Jayachandran, and Michael P. Marchetti Source: Lessons in Conservation, Vol. 5, pp. 5-16 Published by: Network of Conservation Educators and Practitioners, Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History Stable URL: ncep.amnh.org/linc/ This article is featured in Lessons in Conservation, the official journal of the Network of Conservation Educators and Practitioners (NCEP). NCEP is a collaborative project of the American Museum of Natural History’s Center for Biodiversity and Conservation (CBC) and a number of institutions and individuals around the world. Lessons in Conservation is designed to introduce NCEP teaching and learning resources (or “modules”) to a broad audience. NCEP modules are designed for undergraduate and professional level education. These modules—and many more on a variety of conservation topics—are available for free download at our website, ncep.amnh.org. To learn more about NCEP, visit our website: ncep.amnh.org. All reproduction or distribution must provide full citation of the original work and provide a copyright notice as follows: “Copyright 2015, by the authors of the material and the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation of the American Museum of Natural History. All rights reserved.” Illustrations obtained from the American Museum of Natural History’s library: images.library.amnh.org/digital/ SYNTHESIS 5 Freshwater Ecosystems and Biodiversity Nathaniel P. Hitt1, Lisa K. Bonneau2, Kunjuraman V. Jayachandran3, and Michael P. Marchetti4 1U.S. Geological Survey, Leetown Science Center, USA, 2Metropolitan Community College-Blue River, USA, 3Kerala Agricultural University, India, 4School of Science, St.
    [Show full text]
  • Marine, Estuarine and Freshwater Biology Major (B.S.)
    University of New Hampshire 1 MEFB 401 Marine Estuarine and Freshwater Biology: 1 MARINE, ESTUARINE AND Freshmen Seminar MEFB 503 Introduction to Marine Biology 4 FRESHWATER BIOLOGY MEFB 525 Introduction to Aquatic Botany 4 MAJOR (B.S.) MEFB 527 Aquatic Animal Diversity 4 Choose one Freshwater course: 4 http://colsa.unh.edu/dbs/mefb/marine-estuarine-and-freshwater-biology- MEFB 717 Lake Ecology bs or MEFB 719Field Studies in Lake Ecology Choose one Physiology/Function course: 4-5 Description ZOOL 625 Principles of Animal Physiology & ZOOL 626 and Animal Physiology Laboratory The Major in Marine, Estuarine and Freshwater Biology is intended to or ZOOL 773 Physiology of Fish give students interested in the fields of marine and freshwater biology Choose one Marine or Estuarine course: 4 the background to pursue careers, including potential advanced study, in MEFB 725 Marine Ecology this area of biology. The major builds on a broad set of basic scientific or ZOOL 750 Biological Oceanography courses represented by a core curriculum in math, chemistry, physics and biology. The background in basic science is combined with a series of MEFB Electives: Choose 3 required and elective courses in the aquatic sciences from watershed Evolution, Systematics and Biodiversity to ocean. The goal is to provide a solid foundation of knowledge in BIOL 566 Systematic Botany 4 freshwater, estuarine and marine biology while having the flexibility to GEN 713 Microbial Ecology and Evolution 4 focus on particular areas of scientific interest from molecular biology to MEFB 625 Introduction to Marine Botany 4 ecosystem studies. Students will have the opportunity to specialize in areas of their own interest, such as aquaculture and fisheries or animal MEFB 722 Marine Phycology 4 behavior.
    [Show full text]
  • Can Results from Simple Aquatic Mesocosm Experiments Be Applied Across Broad Spatial Scales?
    Freshwater Biology (2010) doi:10.1111/j.1365-2427.2010.02495.x Moving on up: can results from simple aquatic mesocosm experiments be applied across broad spatial scales? AMANDA C. SPIVAK, MICHAEL J. VANNI AND ELIZABETH M. METTE Zoology Department, Miami University, Oxford, OH, U.S.A. SUMMARY 1. Aquatic ecologists use mesocosm experiments to understand mechanisms driving ecological processes. Comparisons across experiments, and extrapolations to larger scales, are complicated by the use of mesocosms with varying dimensions. We conducted a mesocosm experiment over a volumetric scale spanning five orders of magnitude (from 4 L to whole ponds) to determine the generality of algal responses to nutrient enrichment. Recognising that mesocosm dimensions may affect algal growth, we also manipulated the ratio of mesocosm surface area to volume (SA : V) over two levels (high versus low). We used mesocosm tanks of similar size and construction to those commonly used in aquatic experiments to increase the generality of our results. 2. Volume was generally a stronger determinant of algal responses than mesocosm shape (i.e. SA : V). However, the effects of both volume and shape on algae were weak and explained a small portion of the variance in response variables. In addition, there was no consistent, directional relationship (positive or neutral) between mesocosm volume and algal abundance (estimated by chlorophyll concentration). Combined, our findings suggest that results from small-scale experiments, examining the direct response of algae to nutrient enrichment, can probably be ‘moved on up’ and applied to larger, more natural aquatic systems. 3. Algal response to nutrient enrichment (e.g.
    [Show full text]
  • Freshwater Fish Biogeography in the Bering Glacier Region, Alaska
    Freshwater Fish Biogeography In The Bering Glacier Region, Alaska Item Type Thesis Authors Weigner, Heidi L. Download date 06/10/2021 09:41:47 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/11122/9162 FRESHWATER FISH BIOGEOGRAPHY IN THE BERING GLACIER REGION, ALASKA A DISSERTATION Presented to the Faculty of the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY By Heidi L. Weigner, B.S. Fairbanks, Alaska December 2012 UMI Number: 3537845 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI 3537845 Published by ProQuest LLC 2013. Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 FRESHWATER FISH BIOGEOGRAPHY IN THE BERING GLACIER REGION, ALASKA By Heidi L. Weigner RECOMMENDED: Chair, Dgpartment of Biology and Wildlife APPROVED: Abstract Bering Glacier, Alaska, is Earth’s largest surging glacier, with surges occurring approximately every 20-30 years since 1900. Surges and subsequent retreats lead to a dynamic environment for aquatic communities, as glacial ice over-rides landscapes and new habitats form during glacial retreat. Lands around Bering Glacier are administered by the State of Alaska and the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Freshwater Biology ----�------�----�------�--- (2010) 1205-1218 Doi:1O.1111/J.1365-2427.2009.02344.X Freshwater Biology 55
    Freshwater Biology ----�----------------�----�----- ---------�--- (2010) 1205-1218 dOi:1O.1111/j.1365-2427.2009.02344.x Freshwater Biology 55, Ecoregion and land-use influence invertebrate and detritus transport from headwater streams t CHRISTOPHER A. BINCKLEY*, MARK S. WIPFLI , R. BRUCE MEDHURST*, KARL POLIVKA�, PAUL HESSBURG�, R. BRION SALTER� AND JOSHUA Y. KILL� *Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, U.S.A. t us Geological Survey, Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK, U.S.A. � Pacific Northwest Research Station, US Forest Service, 1133 N. Western Ave, Wenatchee, WA, U.S.A. SUMMARY 1. Habitats are often connected by fluxes of energy and nutrients across their boundaries. For example, headwater streams are linked to surrounding riparian vegetation through invertebrate and leaf litter inputs, and there is evidence that consumers in downstream habitats are subsidised by resources flowing from headwater systems. However, the strength of these linkages and the manner in which potential headwater subsidies vary along climatic and disturbance gradients are unknown. 2. We quantified the downstream transport of invertebrates, organic matter and inorganic sediment from 60 fishless headwater streams in the Wenatchee River Basin located on the eastern slope of the Cascade Range in Washington, U.s.A. Streams were classified into four groups (each n = 15) based on their position within two ecological subregions (wet and dry) and the extent of past timber harvest and road development (logged and unlogged). 3. Time and ecoregion were significant for all response variables as transport varied across sampling periods, and dry ecoregion streams displayed significantly higher mean values.
    [Show full text]
  • Development of a Zooplankton Biotic Index for Trophic State Prediction in Tropical Reservoirs
    Limnetica, 38(1): 303-316 (2019). DOI: 10.23818/limn.38.21 © Asociación Ibérica de Limnología, Madrid. Spain. ISSN: 0213-8409 Development of a zooplankton biotic index for trophic state prediction in tropical reservoirs Bruno Paes De-Carli1,2,*, Adriano Bressane3, Regina Márcia Longo3, Agatha Manzi-Decarli2, Viviane Moschini-Carlos1 and Marcelo Luiz Martins Pompêo4 1 São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Science and Technology, Environmental Sciences Graduate Program, Campus at Sorocaba city, 03 March Avenue, 511, Brazil. 2 Paulista University (UNIP), Institute of Health, Campus at Santos city, Francisco Manoel Avenue, unnum- bered, Brazil. 3 Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (PUCCAMP), Faculty of Environmental engineering, Dom Pedro I Highway (SP-065), Brazil. 4 Department of Ecology (IB-USP), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. * Corresponding author: [email protected] Received: 31/07/18 Accepted: 26/11/18 ABSTRACT Development of a zooplankton biotic index for trophic state prediction in tropical reservoirs Reservoirs are built mainly for public supply and power generation. However, water quality is almost always compromised by discharge of domestic and industrial sewage, as well as by agricultural residues. Several ecological indices are currently used to analyze different impacts in this environment. The aim of this study was to develop a zooplankton index for tropical reservoirs. Limnological data were obtained from seven Brazilian reservoirs (Atibainha, Broa, Barra Bonita, Salto Grande, Rio Grande, Itupararanga, and Igaratá). Weighted values of ecological optimum were obtained through species response analysis (unimodal distribution) related to chlorophyll a concentration. The results obtained using the zooplankton index (ZBI) proposed had significant correlations with eutrophication indicators.
    [Show full text]
  • How Important Are Terrestrial Organic Carbon Inputs for Secondary Production in Freshwater Ecosystems?
    Accepted: 19 January 2017 DOI: 10.1111/fwb.12909 REVIEW How important are terrestrial organic carbon inputs for secondary production in freshwater ecosystems? Michael T. Brett1 | Stuart E. Bunn2 | Sudeep Chandra3 | Aaron W. E. Galloway4 | Fen Guo2 | Martin J. Kainz5 | Paula Kankaala6 | Danny C. P. Lau7 | Timothy P. Moulton8 | Mary E. Power9 | Joseph B. Rasmussen10 | Sami J. Taipale11 | James H. Thorp12,13 | John D. Wehr14 1 Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, U.S.A. 2 Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia 3 Global Water Center and Biology Department, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, U.S.A. 4 Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, University of Oregon, Charleston, OR, U.S.A. 5 WasserCluster Lunz-Biological Station, Donau-Universit€at Krems, Lunz am See, Austria 6 Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland 7 Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umea University, Umea, Sweden 8 Departamento de Ecologia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 9 Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, U.S.A. 10 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada. 11 Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyv€askyla,€ Jyv€askyla,€ Finland 12 Kansas Biological Survey, Lawrence, KS, U.S.A. 13 Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, U.S.A. 14 Louis Calder Center – Biological Field Station, Fordham University, Armonk, NY, U.S.A. Correspondence Michael T. Brett, Department of Civil and Abstract Environmental Engineering, University of 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Relative Importance of Phosphorus, Invasive Mussels and Climate for Patterns in Chlorophyll a and Primary Production in Lakes Michigan and Huron David M
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln USGS Staff -- ubP lished Research US Geological Survey 2015 Relative importance of phosphorus, invasive mussels and climate for patterns in chlorophyll a and primary production in Lakes Michigan and Huron David M. Warner USGS Great Lakes Science Center, Ann Arbor, MI Barry M. Lesht University of Illinois at Chicago Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsstaffpub Warner, David M. and Lesht, Barry M., "Relative importance of phosphorus, invasive mussels and climate for patterns in chlorophyll a and primary production in Lakes Michigan and Huron" (2015). USGS Staff -- Published Research. 866. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usgsstaffpub/866 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the US Geological Survey at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in USGS Staff -- ubP lished Research by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Freshwater Biology (2015) 60, 1029–1043 doi:10.1111/fwb.12569 Relative importance of phosphorus, invasive mussels and climate for patterns in chlorophyll a and primary production in Lakes Michigan and Huron † DAVID M. WARNER* AND BARRY M. LESHT *USGS Great Lakes Science Center, Ann Arbor, MI, U.S.A. † Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, U.S.A. SUMMARY 1. Lakes Michigan and Huron, which are undergoing oligotrophication after reduction of phosphorus loading, invasion by dreissenid mussels and variation in climate, provide an opportunity to conduct large-scale evaluation of the relative importance of these changes for lake productivity.
    [Show full text]
  • Predation on Seabirds by Pacific Cod Gadus Macrocephalus Near the Aleutian Islands, Alaska
    Ulman et al.: Pacific Cod predation on seabirds 231 PREDATION ON SEABIRDS BY PACIFIC COD GADUS MACROCEPHALUS NEAR THE ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA SADIE E.G. ULMAN1, TUULA HOLLMÉN2, REID BREWER3 & ANNE H. BEAUDREAU4 1Alaska SeaLife Center, Seward, Alaska 99664 ([email protected]) 2Alaska SeaLife Center and School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Seward, Alaska 99664 3University of Alaska Southeast, Sitka, Alaska 99835 4School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Fisheries Division, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau, Alaska 99801 Received 15 July 2015, accepted 28 July 2015 SUMMARY ULMAN, S.E.G., HOLLMÉN, T., BREWER, R. & BEAUDREAU, A.H. 2015. Predation on seabirds by Pacific cod Gadus microcephalus near the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Marine Ornithology 43: 231–233. In marine systems, most seabirds are considered upper trophic level consumers, yet they may be vulnerable to predation by other marine animals. There are varying accounts of large fish eating birds, but little is known about whether predation by demersal fish predators is an important source of mortality for seabirds. Fish processors in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, have observed seabird remains in Pacific Cod Gadus macrocephalus stomachs. We analyzed seabird remains from Pacific Cod caught off Cape Sarichef in Unimak Pass from mid-January through early April 2011. Of 74 different seabird remains examined, five avian genera were identified. These results provide documentation that Pacific Cod consume seabirds; either by predation or scavenging. Overall, the significance of seabird predation by fish is not well known, but may be episodically important. Key words: Pacific cod, predation, diet, Crested Auklet Aethia cristatella Seabirds by and large exhibit decreasing populations, and current bird species that were recovered from stomachs of commercially major threats include pollution and commercial fisheries at sea, and harvested cod and discuss potential mechanisms for this interaction.
    [Show full text]
  • Freshwater Biology and Water Supply in Britain
    Freshwater biology and water supply in Britain Item Type book Authors Pearsall, W.H.; Gardiner, A.C.; Greenshields, F. Publisher Freshwater Biological Association Download date 09/10/2021 18:01:49 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/1834/22850 FRESHWATER BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE Scientific Publication No. 11 FRESHWATER BIOLOGY AND WATER SUPPLY IN BRITAIN by W. H. PEARSALL, D.Sc. F.R.S. A. C. GARDINER, M.A. F. GREENSHIELDS, Ph.D. Price to non-members 4s. 0d. 1946 FRESHWATER BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION. Wray Castle, Ambleside, Westmorland. PUBLICATIONS. Scientific Publications (Nos. 1 to 6 and No. 8 post free 1s. 7d. each. Nos. 7, 9, 10 post free 2s. 7d., and No. 11 post free 4s. 1d.) No. 1. A key to the British Species of Corixidae (Hemiptera- Heteroptera) with notes on their distribution, by T. T. Macan. No. 2. A key to the British Species of Plecoptera (Stoneflies) with notes on their ecology, by H. B. N. Hynes. No. 3. The Food of Coarse Fish, by P. H. T. Hartley. No. 4. A key to the British Water Bugs (Hemiptera-Heteroptera excluding Corixidae) with notes on their ecology, by T. T. Macan. No. 5. A key to the British Species of Freshwater Cladocera, with notes on their ecology, by D. J. Scourfield and J. P. Harding, No. 6. The Production of Freshwater Fish for Food, by T. T. Macan, C. H. Mortimer and E. B. Worthington. No. 7. Keys to the British Species of Ephemeroptera, with keys to the genera of the nymphs, by D. E.
    [Show full text]
  • Marine & Freshwater Biology
    Bachelor of Science Marine & Freshwater Biology ABOUT THE PROGRAM The Marine and Freshwater Biology co-op major provides a broad perspective on aquatic environments based on the physical as well as the biological sciences. Students build upon core courses in ecology, evolution, genetics, and physiology of aquatic biota as you study freshwater and marine environments and work with aquatic organisms experimentally in the field and in the lab. You will have the opportunity to perform independent research projects under a variety of field and laboratory conditions to enhance your learning experience and participate in co-op work terms to gain knowledge and skills in a workplace setting. The Marine and Freshwater Biology major capitalizes on Guelph's recognized excellence in aquatic research. The state-of-the-art Hagen Aqualab on campus allows researchers and students to simulate global aquatic environments and maintain a wide variety of marine and freshwater flora and fauna in Guelph. This program prepares students for post-graduate work in the aquatic sciences, and provides a sound scientific background for students pursuing careers in biology, management and conservation, aquaculture, biotechnology, education, and research in either government or private sectors. WHY CO-OP? As a co-op student, you will gain relevant work experience, build professional networks, and develop essential interpersonal skills needed to succeed in the workplace, all while getting paid and earning your university degree. Guelph’s co-op program is unique due to the exceptional level of support provided, including a co-op preparatory course, a personal connection with a Co-op Coordinator to assist you during the employment process, and access to senior student mentors.
    [Show full text]
  • Estimating the Contribution of Carnivorous Waterbirds to Nutrient Loading in Freshwater Habitats
    Freshwater Biology (2007) 52, 2421–2433 doi:10.1111/j.1365-2427.2007.01838.x APPLIED ISSUES Estimating the contribution of carnivorous waterbirds to nutrient loading in freshwater habitats STEFFEN HAHN, SILKE BAUER AND MARCEL KLAASSEN Centre for Limnology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Maarssen, The Netherlands SUMMARY 1. We estimated nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loading into wetlands by carnivorous waterbirds with alternative physiological models using a food-intake and an excreta- production approach. The models were applied for non-breeding and breeding Dutch inland carnivorous waterbird populations to quantify their contribution to nutrient loading on a landscape scale. 2. Model predictions based on food intake exceeded those based on excretion by 59–62% for N and by 2–36% for P, depending on dietary assumptions. Uncertainty analysis indicated that the intake model was most affected by errors in energy requirement, while the excretion model was dependent on faecal nutrient composition. 3. Per capita loading rate of non-breeders increased with body mass from 0.3–0.8 g ) ) ) N day 1 and 0.15 g P day 1 in little gulls Larus minutus to 4.5–11.5 g N day 1 and 2.1–3.2 g ) Pday 1 in great cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo. For breeding birds, the estimated nutrient loading by a family unit over the entire breeding period ranged between 17.6–443.0 g N and 8.6 g P for little tern Sterna albifrons to 619.6–1755.6 g N and 316.2–498.1 g P for great cormorants. 4.
    [Show full text]