Light, nutrients, and food-chain length constrain planktonic energy transfer efficiency across multiple trophic levels.

ABSTRACT: The efficiency of energy transfer through food chains [food chain efficiency (FCE)] is an important ecosystem function. It has been hypothesized that FCE across multiple trophic levels is constrained by the efficiency at which herbivores use plant energy, which depends on plant nutritional quality. Furthermore, the number of trophic levels may also constrain FCE, because herbivores are less efficient in using plant production when they are constrained by carnivores. These hypotheses have not been tested experimentally in food chains with 3 or more trophic levels. In a field experiment manipulating light, nutrients, and food-chain length, we show that FCE is constrained by algal food quality and food-chain length. FCE across 3 trophic levels (phytoplankton to carnivorous fish) was highest u

SUBMITTER: Dickman EM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2587603 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature