The rapid return of marine-derived nutrients to a freshwater food web following dam removal
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Dam removal is increasingly being recognized as a viable river restoration action. Although the main beneficiaries of restored connectivity are often migratory fish populations, little is known regarding recovery of other parts of the freshwater food web, particularly terrestrial components. We measured stable isotopes in key components to the freshwater food web: salmon, freshwater macroinvertebrates and a river specialist bird, American dipper (Cinclus mexicanus), before and after removal of the Elwha Dam, WA, USA. Less than a year after dam removal, salmon returned to the system and released marine-derived nutrients (MDN). In that same year we documented an increase in stable-nitrogen and carbon isotope ratios in American dippers. These results indicate that MDN from anadromous fish, an important nutrient subsidy that crosses the aquatic–terrestrial boundary, can return rapidly to food webs after dams are removed which is an important component of ecosystem recovery.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | The rapid return of marine-derived nutrients to a freshwater food web following dam removal |
| Series title | Biological Conservation |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.biocon.2015.09.009 |
| Volume | 192 |
| Year Published | 2015 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Contributing office(s) | Western Fisheries Research Center |
| Description | 5 p. |
| First page | 130 |
| Last page | 134 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| Other Geospatial | Elwha dam, Glines Canyon dam |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |