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Impact of resource availability on species composition and diversity in freshwater nematodes

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Abstract

This study investigates the long-term effects of resource availability in a freshwater nematode community. We carried out a mesocosm experiment where natural nematode communities were exposed to nutrient addition/depletion over 2 years. Compared to the nutrient-addition treatment, species richness and diversity were strongly reduced upon nutrient depletion. The functional group of bacterial feeders particularly suffered severely from nutrient depletion. The decrease in diversity of bacterial feeders was linked to reduced species richness and diversity of large omnivorous species, as predicted by trophic-dynamic models. Tilman’s (1976) statement, that under low nutrient levels the best competitor dominates the system, was applicable in our system. Upon nutrient depletion, resource depletion led to a monoculture of 1 small bacterial feeder, but even after 2 years of resource depletion, up to 16 species still coexisted. Our results provide strong evidence that freshwater nematode systems can be regulated by nutrient competition.

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Acknowledgements

Many thanks go to Matthias Bergtold, Helmut Hillebrand, Hubert Spieth, Fritz Trillmich and two anonymous reviewers for helpful comments on earlier versions of the manuscript. The study was supported by the German National Merit Foundation.

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  1. Department for Animal Ecology, University Bielefeld, Morgenbreede 45, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany

    Iris C. Michiels & Walter Traunspurger

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  1. Iris C. Michiels
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  2. Walter Traunspurger
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Correspondence to Iris C. Michiels.

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Michiels, I.C., Traunspurger, W. Impact of resource availability on species composition and diversity in freshwater nematodes. Oecologia 142, 98–103 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-004-1700-6

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