Site-scale isotopic variations along a river course help localize drainage basin influence on river food webs

摘要: In human-impacted rivers, nutrient pollution has the potential to disrupt biodiversity organisation and ecosystem functioning, prompting calls for effective monitoring management. Pollutants, together with natural variations, can modify isotopic signature of aquatic organisms. Accordingly, we explored variations as an indicator drainage basin influences on river food webs. We assessed stable N C isotopes within six webs along a affected by multiple sources. CORINE land cover maps Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) were also applied understand impact surface waters anthropogenic pressures affecting catchment. signatures taxa fell in association ammonium inputs from agriculture, indicating that nitrogen was related synthetic fertilizers. Isotopic consistent across trophic levels, highlighting site-specific communities identifying exposed pollutants. This allowed us locate point sources disturbance, suggesting web structure plays key role pollutant compartmentalisation river. Thematic DEMs helped how biota is mediated hydro-geomorphology. Thus, integration site-scale analyses use represents promising research pathway explorative rivers.