Trophic linkage of a temperate intertidal macrobenthic food web under opportunistic macroalgal blooms: A stable isotope approach. Issue 1 (15th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Park, Hyun Je; Han, Eunah; Lee, Young-Jae; Kang, Chang-Keun
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 111:Issue 1/2(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 86
• Page End: 94
• Publication Date: 2016-10-15
• Subjects: Opportunistic macroalgal blooms -- Ulva -- Macrobenthos -- Stable isotopes -- Trophic structure -- Intertidal flat; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.07.026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: The effects of blooms of opportunistic green macroalgae, Ulva prolifera, on the trophic structure of the macrobenthic food web in a temperate intertidal zone on the western coast of Korea were evaluated using carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes. Biomasses of Ulva and microphytobenthos (MPB) increased significantly at the macroalgae-bloom and the non-bloom sites, respectively, from March to September 2011. The δ 13 C values of most the consumers were arrayed between those of MPB and Ulva at both sites, and differed according to feeding strategies at the macroalgae-bloom site. Seasonally increasing magnitudes in δ 13 C and δ 15 N values of consumers were much steeper at the macroalgae-bloom site than at the non-bloom site. Our findings provide evidence that blooming green macroalgae play a significant role as a basal resource supporting the intertidal macrobenthic food web and their significance varies with feeding strategies of consumers as well as the resource availability. Highlights: Trophic effects of Ulva blooms on intertidal macrobenthic food web were evaluated. Biomasses of Ulva increased at the macroalgae-bloom from March to September. δ 13 C and δ 15 N values of consumers differed with feeding strategy and season. Trophic significance of blooming macroalgae varies with feeding strategies of consumers. Ulva blooms play a significant role as a basal resource supporting the intertidal food web.