Effects of eutrophication on the interaction between algae and grazers in an Andean stream

Abstract

Nutrient excess is a common disturbance that affects biological interactions in river ecosystems. The response of nutrient supply on primary producers and Tricorythodes sp., a common mayfly grazer, was determined in experimental chambers set in a tropical, high Andean stream. Chambers in an experimentally fertilized reach developed higher amount of both benthic and detached chlorophyll than chambers in an upstream control reach. Fertilization produced a slight increase in grazer biomass, and reduced algal biomass compared to grazer-free chambers. These results show that nutrient excess spread bottom-up effects through the food web, and that relevant top-down effects could also be detected. Eutrophication may produce relevant changes in the food web of tropical high-mountain streams.