Salmon-derived nitrogen in terrestrial invertebrates from coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest

Date

2002-03-19

Authors

Hocking, Morgan D.
Reimchen, Thomas E.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

BMC Ecology

Abstract

Background Bi-directional flow of nutrients between marine and terrestrial ecosystems can provide essential resources that structure communities in transitional habitats. On the Pacific coast of North America, anadromous salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) constitute a dominant nutrient subsidy to aquatic habitats and riparian vegetation, although the contribution to terrestrial habitats is not well established. We use a dual isotope approach of δ15N and δ13C to test for the contribution of salmon nutrients to multiple trophic levels of litter-based terrestrial invertebrates below and above waterfalls that act as a barrier to salmon migration on two watersheds in coastal British Columbia.

Description

BioMed Central

Keywords

salmon, terrestrial invertebrates, coniferous forests, Pacific Northwest

Citation

Hocking, M., & Reimchen, T. (2002). Salmon-derived nitrogen in terrestrial invertebrates from coniferous forests of the pacific northwest. BMC Ecology, 2(1), 4. Retrieved from http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6785/2/4