Contribution
Trophic structure of macroinvertebrates in alpine non-glacial streams
Di Cugno, Nina; Robinson, Christopher T.
Fundamental and Applied Limnology Volume 190 Nr. 4 (2017), p. 319 - 330
publié: Nov 1, 2017
publication en ligne: Jul 31, 2017
manuscrit accepté: Jul 18, 2017
manuscrit reçu: Mar 20, 2017
ArtNo. ESP141019004004, Prix: 29.00 €
Abstract
Abstract Alpine landscapes are changing rapidly due to environmental change, ultimately affecting the structure and function of running water ecosystems. This study examined the trophic structure, using stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen, of macroinvertebrate assemblages in 32 non-glacial headwaters in 4 glacierized alpine catchments in Switzerland in summer and autumn. We predicted a simple trophic structure (primary and secondary consumers) in streams with consumer isotopic signatures reflecting predominant primary producers (autochthonous versus allochthonous sources) in each season. Principal components analysis revealed seasonal shifts in water physico-chemistry in each catchment, mostly due to changes in phosphorous constituents. Catchment differences in stream physico-chemistry reflected differences in local geologies; i.e., gneiss versus dolomite geologies. Trophic structures, based on nitrogen isotope ratios (δ15N), were indeed simple, comprising primary consumers (mean δ15N = – 2.2 ± 0.4 SE) of basal resources and secondary consumers (predators; mean δ15N = 1.4 ± 0.6 SE). All streams were fishless. Carbon ratios (δ13C) of primary resources ranged on average from – 27.2 ± 1.4 SE (riparian plants) to – 24.6 ± 0.6 SE (periphyton), with only riparian plants showing a significant difference between summer and autumn. Carbon ratios (δ13C) of macroinvertebrates ranged from – 22.2 to – 27.9 with higher values found in autumn than summer for Limnephiliidae and Perlodidae. The results indicated that allochthonous resources provided a significant energy base to these headwater streams, in contrast to glacial-fed alpine streams having a dominant autochthonous resource base. The results showed that primary consumers in these alpine streams were mostly generalists (omnivores), adjusting diets to capitalize on changes in available resources. Omnivory may buffer macroinvertebrate assemblages in alpine streams to shifts in basal resources due to landscape transformation resulting from ongoing environmental change.
Mots-clefs
stable isotopes • autochthonous • allochthonous • organic matter • glacial stream