Predator-driven elemental cycling: the impact of predation and risk effects on ecosystem stoichiometry.

ABSTRACT: Empirical evidence is beginning to show that predators can be important drivers of elemental cycling within ecosystems by propagating indirect effects that determine the distribution of elements among trophic levels as well as determine the chemical content of organic matter that becomes decomposed by microbes. These indirect effects can be propagated by predator consumptive effects on prey, nonconsumptive (risk) effects, or a combination of both. Currently, there is insufficient theory to predict how such predator effects should propagate throughout ecosystems. We present here a theoretical framework for exploring predator effects on ecosystem elemental cycling to encourage further empirical quantification. We use a classic ecosystem trophic compartment model as a basis for our analyses b

SUBMITTER: Leroux SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4662303 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature