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Food-web structure in two shallow salt lakes in Los Monegros (NE Spain): energetic vs dynamic constraints

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Abstract

Energetic and dynamic constraints have been proposed as rival factors in determining food-web structure. Food-web length might be controlled either by the amount of energy entering the web (energetic constraints) or by time span between consecutive disturbances relative to time needed to build up a population (dynamic constraints). Dynamic constraints are identified with processes functioning at a regional scale such as climate, lithology and hydrogeology. Energetic constraints are related with processes operating both at a regional and a local scale. We studied the contribution of energetic constraints to food-web organization in two temporary saline lakes with similar dynamic constraints. Lakes were sampled fortnightly during two hydroperiods (1994/1995 and 1995/1996). Differences in energetic constraints between lakes result in divergent assemblages of primary producers. Consumer assemblages in both lakes, however, are similar in species composition although differ in total biomass and species abundances. Food-webs are short with a high proportion of omnivores. To simulate an increase in the energy input entering to these systems, an addition of nutrients (to a final concentration of 100 μgċl−1 P-PO4 3-) was done in mesocosms placed within the lakes in order to obtain an increase in the phytoplankton biomass. No significant response to nutrient enrichment was found in food-web structure (composition, density or biomass).

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  1. Department of Ecology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049, Madrid, Spain

    Paloma Alcorlo, Angel Baltanás & Carlos Montes

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  1. Paloma Alcorlo
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  2. Angel Baltanás
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  3. Carlos Montes
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Alcorlo, P., Baltanás, A. & Montes, C. Food-web structure in two shallow salt lakes in Los Monegros (NE Spain): energetic vs dynamic constraints. Hydrobiologia 466, 307–316 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014594408119

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