Stable isotope mixing models demonstrate the role of an invasive plant in wetland songbird food webs.

ABSTRACT:

Premise

Invasive plants in wetlands are often ecosystem engineers, mediating changes in ecosystem functions like trophic support. We documented the impacts of Lepidium latifolium, an invasive plant, on the food web of omnivorous birds (Suisun song sparrows, Melospiza melodia maxillaris) in a tidal wetland of northern California, USA.

Methods

We used analysis of natural abundance stable isotopes of ¹³C and ¹⁵N in song sparrow blood, invertebrate food sources, L. latifolium seeds, and other marsh plant seeds to inform Bayesian, concentration-dependent mixing models that predicted average song sparrow diets.

Results

Season and plant phenology influenced food source incorporation and isotopic signatures. Song sparrows showed high

SUBMITTER: Wigginton RD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9400394 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul-Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature