Temporal variation of energy sources in a floodplain lake fish community

Abstract

We compared the stable isotope ratios of δ 13C and δ 15N of four basal food sources and eight fish species collected in spring and summer from the largest freshwater lake in China, Lake Poyang. The aim was to study the temporal variations in the fishes’ energy sources. The δ 13C and δ 15N ratios of all eight species of fish were higher in summer. Employing the IsoSource mixing model, we identified that the terrestrial plant Carex spp. was the most important primary producer supporting fish biomass in spring when the water level was low; meanwhile, the submerged macrophyte Potamogeton malaianus made consistent contributions to fish. However, in summer, when the water level was high, the submerged macrophyte Ceratophyllum demersum was the most important primary production source for fish. Our study indicated that feeding links in floodplain lakes are complex and modified by hydrologic seasonality.