Quantity and quality: unifying food web and ecosystem perspectives on the role of resource subsidies in freshwaters.

摘要: Although the study of resource subsidies has emerged as a key topic in both ecosystem and food web ecology, dialogue over their role been limited by separate approaches that emphasize either subsidy quantity or quality. Considering quality together may provide simple, but previously unexplored, framework for identifying mechanisms govern importance recipient webs ecosystems. Using literature review >90 studies open-water metabolism lakes streams, we show high-flux, low-quality can drive freshwater dynamics. Because most these ecosystems are net heterotrophic, allochthonous inputs must subsidize respiration. Second, using use, demonstrate animals select high-quality resources proportions greater than would be predicted based on quantity, regardless autochthonous origin. This finding suggests low-flux, selected animals, turn disproportionately affect processes (e.g., animal production, trophic energy organic matter flow, cascades). We then synthesize evaluate explicitly merge perspectives placing measurements context budgets, comparing production fluxes, constructing flow webs. These tools should used to address future questions about subsidies, such relative different levels how maintain disrupt stability interactions.