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Species loss in the brown world: are heterotrophic systems inherently stable?

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Abstract

Determining the effects of species loss on ecosystems has received considerable attention given the current threats many ecosystems are facing. A significant body of research has yielded many insights to this question, but this work has been limited by a focus on ecosystems where primary production plays a significant role in energy transfer. As many ecosystems rely on energy sources that are not derived from in situ production, there is a need to better understand how species loss will affect ecosystems of varying trophic states. To examine the effects of species loss on an ecosystem that is not reliant on in situ primary production, we manipulated the larval amphibian community of temporary forest ponds. These ponds are heterotrophic systems that rely on allochthonous inputs of detritus as a basal energy source. The larvae of two amphibian species that are prone to local extinction, wood frogs (Lithobates sylvatica) and spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum), were removed from ponds and net ecosystem production was monitored. We found no effects of the removal of these top consumers on ecosystem functioning or on lower trophic groups (i.e., zooplankton, algae, bacteria). While amphibians can influence food web dynamics in other systems, their influence on system processes in temporary forest ponds appears to be limited. We hypothesize that the lack of any effects is due to the microbial degradation of detritus “swamping” the system, providing more than enough energy to maintain the food web, and/or due to omnivory dampening species interactions. These data indicate that the functioning of heterotrophic systems may be inherently stable due to internal dynamics that minimize interaction strengths among trophic groups.

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Acknowledgments

We thank J. Chase for reviewing an earlier draft of this manuscript and J. Falkenbach and L. Grove for assistance with field work. Financial support was provided by the NIH/NSF Ecology of Infectious Disease Program (1R01ES11067-01 to JMK) and NSF (IBN) Grant #0131229 to JMK, and the Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Teatown Lake Reservation, 1600 Spring Valley Rd, Ossining, NY, 10562, USA

    Michael J. Rubbo

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2119 Derring Hall, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA

    Lisa K. Belden

  3. Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, 212 Tucker Hall, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA

    Sara I. Storrs-Mendez

  4. Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, 2801 Sharon Turnpike, Millbrook, NY, 12545, USA

    Jonathan J. Cole

  5. The Nature Conservancy, 117 E Mountain, Suite 201, Fort Collins, CO, 80524, USA

    Joseph M. Kiesecker

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  1. Michael J. Rubbo
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  2. Lisa K. Belden
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  3. Sara I. Storrs-Mendez
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  4. Jonathan J. Cole
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  5. Joseph M. Kiesecker
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Correspondence to Michael J. Rubbo.

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Rubbo, M.J., Belden, L.K., Storrs-Mendez, S.I. et al. Species loss in the brown world: are heterotrophic systems inherently stable?. Aquat Sci 74, 397–404 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00027-011-0234-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00027-011-0234-3

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