Abstract
Anadromous fishes exhibit diverse life history and functional traits. Spawning anadromous fishes bring nutrients to fresh waters, and their life history and functional traits can influence nutrient loading patterns. We asked how nutrient inputs varied across 12 species of North American anadromous fishes and how these patterns affected river-wide trends in nutrient loading. We used portfolio effect analyses to assess whether diversity stabilized or destabilized nutrient inputs to freshwater ecosystems over time. Recent decreases in body size reduced per individual nutrient loading for several key species, which in turn decreased cumulative loading. Invasion also altered nutrient loading; non-native American shad (Alosa sapidissima) now provide nearly half of the annual marine-derived nutrient inputs to the Columbia River. Counter to expectations, species diversity (richness and evenness) did not significantly increase the stability of nutrient inputs to fresh waters. Species loss in the Connecticut River increased stability, while species gain in the Columbia River decreased stability.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
