Variation in trophic pathways and food web characteristics revealed by stable isotopes in an intermittent stream system of the Inukami River, Japan

Shin, Hyun-Seon; Amahashi, Nozomi; Ao, Lan; Mitamura, Osamu

doi:10.1080/19768354.2011.604937

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Many studies have used carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stable isotopes to analyze energy flow and trophic relationships in aquatic ecosystems. For example, stable isotopes have been used to identify specific habitats as primary feeding areas, distinguishing between freshwater or estuarine environments (Doucett et al 1999;Herzka 2005;Garcia et al 2007;Shin et al 2011). C and N stable isotopes are also useful for differentiating between migratory and nonmigratory fishes in freshwater or estuarine ecosystems (Kline et al 1998;Limburg 1998). Identifying relationships between N stable isotope signatures and sources of excess N can help identify critical habitats and assist ecosystem management efforts (Cabana and Rasmussen 1996;McClelland and Valiela 1998;Schlacher et al 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat-specific variation in stable C and N isotope ratios of pond smelt (Hypomesus nipponensis)

Lee

Choi

Owen

et al. 2013

Animal Cells and Systems

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The aim of this study was to investigate differences in d 13 C and d 15 N of pond smelt (Hypomesus nipponensis) collected from three brackish lagoons, which have different characteristics, the principal one being the presence or absence of a weir located near the mouth of the outlet channel. The presence or absence of a weir is reflected in a difference in salinity among the study lakes. We found a general pattern of lower pond smelt d 13 C values in Lake Mae with lower salinity and higher pond smelt d 13 C values in Lake Hwajinpo and Lake Youngrang (lagoons with higher salinity). Pond smelt d 13 C values showed little variation among the three lagoons related to pond smelt length, but likely reflected the availability of freshwater prey in Lake Mae. Among the lagoons, we found that pond smelt d 15 N values were lower in Lake Hwajinpo compared with pond smelt d 15 N values in Lake Youngrang and Lake Mae. This pattern likely shows a difference in anthropogenic nitrogen (N) loading among the lagoons. The results of this study emphasize the utility of stable isotope measurements to better understand how structural characteristics of aquatic ecosystems (presence or absence of a weir) and anthropogenic disturbances can affect stable isotope patterns in aquatic food webs. This stable isotope approach may be a general technique for evaluating fish habitat and restoration or management of coastal lagoon ecosystems.

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