Analysis on Trophic Structure of Main Waterbirds in Qinghai Lake Based on Stable Isotopic Technology
2009
Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes were measured to analyze trophic
level of main waterbirds in Qinghai Lake in May−June, 2008, based
on the model of isotopic enrichment and the fractionation factor. Our
results indicated that δ15N was significantly enriched in the
muscle of waterbirds, but δ13C showed no obvious variation. We
obtained a fractionation factor between Gymnocypris przewalskii and
Phalacrocorax carbo , i.e., 1.78‰. Phytoplankton, zooplankton,
Gammarus suifunensis , G. przewalskii and waterbirds were estimated at
the trophic levels of 1.64−2.06, 2.35−2.83, 2.63,
3.64−4.20 and 3.35−4.93 respectively. P. carbo>, Larus
ichthyaetus , Larus brunnicephalus and Podiceps cristatus occupied
the highest trophic level due to their primary feeding on G.
przewalskii. However, Tadorna ferruginea , Sterna hirundo , and
Tringa totanus occupied the relatively high trophic levels. Anser
indicus , mainly relying on plant materials as their food supply, was
at the lowest trophic level. Our results predicted that the future
resource situation of G. przewalskii would have great influence on the
growth, reproduction and community structure of main waterbirds,
especially for P. carbos, L. ichthyaetus, L. brunnicephalus and P.
cristatus, consequently on the stability and diversity of the whole
ecosystem.
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