Food web of a tropical high mountain stream: effects of nutrient addition

Abstract

In order to define the effect of nutrient enrichment on trophic webs in an Andean mountain stream we performed an experiment using stable isotope ratios (δ15N and δ13C) to analyze different trophic compartments: 1) basal level: CPOM and biofilm; 2) primary consumers - macroinvertebrates: collector-gatherers (Heterelmis sp., Thraulodes sp. and Trichorythodes sp.), and collectorfilterers (Simulium sp.); 3) predators - fish (Oncorhynchus mykiss and Trichomycterus bogotensis). The average fractionation of nitrogen among the primary consumers with respect to CPOM was 4.7 , and 1.7 with respect to biofilm. Predators incremented their δ15N signal by 5.9 % with respect to primary consumers. A depletion of δ15N was observed in Impact with respect to Control reach after fertilization in different compartments (biofilm, Heterelmis, Simulium andTricorythodes), while depletion was not significant for top predators. In most cases, the δ13C signal of biofilm overlapped with that of primary consumers, but a clear enrichment was observed with respect to CPOM. Macroinvertebrate gut contents showed fine detritus to be their most abundant food, and that in general there were no changes in diet as a consequence of nutrient enrichment. The only exception was Heterelmis, who increased its consumption in the Impact reach.