Modeling trophic positions of the alpine meadow ecosystem combining stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios

Abstract

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios of single tissues or whole bodies were analyzed to establish trophic positions of main consumers living at the alpine meadow ecosystem in the Tibetan Plateau. The results demonstrated that δ 13C and δ 15N values of vertebrates showed great variations and ranged from −26.83 to −22.51‰ and from 2.33 to 8.44‰, respectively. Plateau pika, root vole, plateau hare, infants of rodents and hatchlings of passerine bird species had the lowest δ 13C and δ 15N values. δ 13C and δ 15N values of omnivorous and insectivorous birds and amphibians showed intermediate. Carnivorous species, steppe polecat and Upland buzzard, and omnivorous Robin accentor and White wagtail possessed extremely higher δ 13C and δ 15N values. Omnivorous birds captured in earlier year had significantly less negative δ 13C and greater δ 15N values than those captured later. Based on steady angular enrichment between trophic levels, an “alpha and vector model” combing δ 13C and δ 15N values was introduced to reveal trophic positions, the results indicated that Tibetan sheep, Tibetan yak, plateau pika, root vole, plateau hare, infants of small rodents showed the lowest trophic positions (TP 1.81–2.38). While omnivorous and insectivorous birds, their hatchlings and amphibians showed intermediate trophic positions (TP 2.06–2.89), carnivorous species steppe polecat and Upland buzzard, migrant birds possessed extremely higher trophic positions (TP 2.89–3.05). The isotopic investigation of organisms and the introduced “alpha and vector model” successfully demonstrated the same trophic positions and diet prediction of consumers as nitrogen enrichment model at the alpine meadow ecosystem. Besides of this information, the “alpha and vector model” can also be incorporated into multiple isotope signatures to infer trophic relationships. This angular enrichment model has the potential to address basic ecological questions, such as trophic structure, trophic dynamics, and energy flow in other terrestrial ecosystems if properly handled.