Abstract
This study examined the effects of nutrients and macrophytes on snail grazers and periphyton in a prairie wetland food web. Snails (Gyraulus circumstriatus) and periphyton in large enclosures in a lacustrine wetland, Delta Marsh, MB, Canada were subjected to two experimental treatments, nutrient addition (nitrogen, phosphorus) and macrophyte exclusion (using a porous geotextile carpet) during July and August. Snail biomass and periphyton biomass (on both artificial substrata and submerged macrophytes) increased over time in all treatments, representing seasonal growth. Snail biomass was three times higher on macrophytes than on artificial substrata. In response to nutrient addition, snail biomass was significantly elevated over time on macrophytes but not on artificial substrata. Conversely, periphyton biomass was higher on artificial substrata but not on macrophytes in response to nutrient addition. Snail biomass and periphyton biomass on artificial substrata showed no response to macrophyte exclusion. Snail biomass on all substrata was inversely correlated with turbidity, whereas periphyton biomass showed no relationship with turbidity. Timing of nutrient additions to wetlands may influence whether the response occurs primarily in phytoplankton or in periphyton and macrophytes.
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