Abstract
AbstractRiparian forest may represent a key subsidy to aquatic food webs. While most research has been done in running waters, the origin of resources subsidising biomass and the role of riparian coverage in food webs remains largely unstudied in reservoirs. This research evaluated the role of forest riparian zones as food web subsidies in a recently formed reservoir of Ijuí River, Brazil. The diet of fish and the origin of carbon and nitrogen fuelling fish biomass was compared between littoral habitats with riparian forests and of open canopy. Sampling for stable isotopes of fish and basal resources and the application of bayesian mixing models showed that most of the fish production originates from terrestrial carbon in this recently formed reservoir. Moreover, an increasing terrestrial support to the biomass was found towards the riparian forest areas (subsidising c.a. 70% vs. around 57% of fish biomass in littoral areas of riparian forest and open canopy, respectively).This study remarked the role of riparian forest areas as energetic subsidises to aquatic ecosystems. Management actions in newly formed reservoirs should include preserving riparian forests to avoid losing natural ecosystem subsidies.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
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.