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13C and 15N depletion in components of a foodweb from an ephemeral boreal wetland compared to boreal lakes: putative evidence for microbial processes

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Abstract

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios were used to posit the relative importance of microbial processes on energy pathways in an ephemeral, humic boreal wetland compared to four clearwater lakes in northwestern Ontario, Canada. In addition to algae and dipteran larvae, odonate larvae were sampled as these latter organisms are known to predate indiscriminately on smaller invertebrates and are thus likely to have average isotope ratios reflective of their habitats. Similarities in δ13C and δ15N values between lake insect larvae and emerged adults suggested that littoral foodwebs in these oligotrophic lakes may rely to a considerable degree upon terrestrial carbon. Wetland insect larvae and algae were depleted in both 13C and 15N compared to biota in lakes. Carbon isotope analysis implied a substantial presence of microbial respiration from decomposition in the humic wetland, whereas nitrogen isotope analysis suggested the prevalence of microbially modified nitrogen dynamics, including the possibilty of N-fixation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Graduate School of Design, Harvard University, 48 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, U.S.A.

    R. L. France

  2. Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853-3001, U.S.A.

    M. A. Schlaepfer

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France, R.L., Schlaepfer, M.A. 13C and 15N depletion in components of a foodweb from an ephemeral boreal wetland compared to boreal lakes: putative evidence for microbial processes. Hydrobiologia 439, 1–6 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004131228183

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