Land–Ocean Connectivity Through Subsidies of Terrestrially Derived Organic Matter to a Nearshore Marine Consumer

Daniel Gorman; Marinella Pucci; Lucy S H Soares; Alexander Turra; Thomas Schlacher

doi:10.1007/s10021-018-0303-8

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Land–Ocean Connectivity Through Subsidies of Terrestrially Derived Organic Matter to a Nearshore Marine Consumer

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Land–Ocean Connectivity Through Subsidies of Terrestrially Derived Organic Matter to a Nearshore Marine Consumer

Daniel Gorman, Marinella Pucci, Lucy S H Soares, Alexander Turra and Thomas Schlacher

Ecosystems, Vol.22(4), pp.796-804

2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-018-0303-8

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Abstract

terrestrial input

d13C

d15N

hermit crabs

spatial variability

Brazil

Land-ocean coupling in the form of riverine inputs of terrestrial matter can constitute an energetic subsidy to food webs in nearshore coastal areas. In regions with distinctly seasonal rainfall patterns, the strength and spatial footprint of any terrestrial signal in receiving marine food webs is predicted to mirror seasonal changes in fluvial forcing. Here, we test this prediction in a subtropical bay by isotopically (δ13C and δ15N) characterizing the main primary producers and reconstructing (using a Bayesian stable isotope mixing model) their contributions to the diet of thinstripe hermit crabs (Clibanarius vittatus). Seasonal rainfall flushed terrestrial carbon out of coastal watersheds, and this material made a sizable (up to 28%) contribution to the diet of marine consumers, in addition to mangroves, seagrass and algae. Our isotope model indicates that inputs of terrestrial grasses and other littoral vegetation were 15% greater as a result of increased fluvial forcing. In addition, the spatial footprint of the terrestrial signal in marine consumers propagated more widely throughout the bay during high-rainfall periods. Given the widespread conversion of natural watershed habitats for agriculture and urban development, understanding the nature, temporal dynamics and strength of such land-ocean coupling will become increasingly important.

Details

Title: Land–Ocean Connectivity Through Subsidies of Terrestrially Derived Organic Matter to a Nearshore Marine Consumer
Authors: Daniel Gorman (Author) - University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
Marinella Pucci (Author) - University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
Lucy S H Soares (Author) - University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
Alexander Turra (Author) - University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
Thomas Schlacher (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Publication details: Ecosystems, Vol.22(4), pp.796-804
Publisher: Springer New York LLC
Date published: 2019
DOI: 10.1007/s10021-018-0303-8
ISSN: 1432-9840
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450876502621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Ecology