Trophic cascades in streams: effects of nutrient enrichment on autotrophic and consumer benthic communities under two different fish predation regimes

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that differences in top-level predators could mediate the importance of top-down versus bottom-up forces in stream food chains using three streams dominated by Galaxias (fish native to New Zealand) and three dominated by brown trout (Salmo trutta) (an introduced species). These two fish species have quite different predation strategies and energetic requirements. Periphyton in the Galaxias streams formed relatively low biomass (indicative of high invertebrate grazing), whereas periphyton in two of the three trout streams formed relatively high biomass (indicative of lower grazing pressure). Periphyton biomass response to inorganic nutrient enrichment varied by fish type. Invertebrate densities on artificial substrates were higher in the Galaxias streams, with the exception of chironomids. Nutrient enrichment of periphyton led to increases in total invertebrate densities, but these increases were greater in the Galaxias streams where invertebrate predation was thought to be lower. Our results suggest that the specific feeding behavior traits of the consumers should be considered when investigating trophic cascades or predicting effects of bottom-up nutrient enrichment on autotrophy.