The dependence of heterotrophic consumption and C accumulation on autotrophic nutrient content in ecosystems

Citation
J. Cebrian et al., The dependence of heterotrophic consumption and C accumulation on autotrophic nutrient content in ecosystems, ECOL LETT, 1(3), 1998, pp. 165-170
Citations number
42
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Environment/Ecology
Journal title
ECOLOGY LETTERS
ISSN journal
1461-023X → ACNP
Volume
1
Issue
3
Year of publication
1998
Pages
165 - 170
Database
ISI
SICI code
1461-023X(199811)1:3<165:TDOHCA>2.0.ZU;2-2
Abstract
Primary producers with high nutrient contents typically exhibit high herbiv ory rates and fast decomposition rates. These tendencies, however, have not been generalized across ecosystems with contrasting herbivore characterist ics and abiotic properties. Here we demonstrate that ecosystem types domina ted by richer autotrophs (i.e. higher nutrient contents) are subject to hig her rates of herbivory and decomposition in spite of differences in herbivo re characteristics and environmental conditions. We further show that, as a result of these tendencies, ecosystems with richer autotrophs accumulate l ess carbon. These results identify autotrophic nutrient content as a main c ontrol of heterotrophic consumption and carbon accumulation in ecosystems. They also provide a basis to evaluate changes in these ecosystem properties following anthropogenic eutrophication.