Small birds, big effects: the little auk (Alle alle) transforms high Arctic ecosystems.

ABSTRACT: In some arctic areas, marine-derived nutrients (MDN) resulting from fish migrations fuel freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems, increasing primary production and biodiversity. Less is known, however, about the role of seabird-MDN in shaping ecosystems. Here, we examine how the most abundant seabird in the North Atlantic, the little auk (Alle alle), alters freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems around the North Water Polynya (NOW) in Greenland. We compare stable isotope ratios (δ15N and δ13C) of freshwater and terrestrial biota, terrestrial vegetation indices and physical-chemical properties, productivity and community structure of fresh waters in catchments with and without little auk colonies. The presence of colonies profoundly alters freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems by providing nut

SUBMITTER: Gonzalez-Bergonzoni I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5326528 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature