KUKU

KU ScholarWorks

  • myKU
  • Email
  • Enroll & Pay
  • KU Directory
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
    • Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Scholarly Works
    • View Item
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
    • Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Scholarly Works
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Inedible Producers in Food Webs: Controls on Stoichiometric Food Quality and Composition of Grazers

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Smith_2006.pdf (322.8Kb)
    Issue Date
    2006-05-01
    Author
    Hall, Spencer R.
    Leibold, Mathew A.
    Lytle, David A.
    Smith, Val H.
    Publisher
    University of Chicago Press
    Type
    Article
    Article Version
    Scholarly/refereed, publisher version
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    Ecological stoichiometry and food web theories focus on distinct mechanisms that shape communities. These mechanisms, however, likely interact in ways that neither theory alone addresses. To illustrate, we show how a model that tracks flow of energy and nutrients through two producers and two grazers reveals two indirect, interrelated roles for “neutrally inedible” producers. First, inedible producers can exert controls over the nutrient content of edible producers and indirectly influence whether grazers are nutrient or energy limited. Second, through these controls, inedible producers can shape community assembly by excluding grazers that are weak competitors for nutrients contained in edible producers. A mesocosm experiment revealed patterns consistent with both predictions: high abundances of inedible algae were accompanied by low phosphorus contents of edible algae and low abundances of the grazer Daphnia. Both lines of inference suggest that interactions between stoichiometry and plant heterogeneity may shape plankton communities.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1808/17986
    DOI
    https://doi.org/10.1086/503059
    Collections
    • Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Scholarly Works [1493]
    Citation
    Hall, Spencer R.; Leibold, Mathew A.; Lytle, David A.; Smith, Val H. (2006). "Inedible Producers in Food Webs: Controls on Stoichiometric Food Quality and Composition of Grazers." American Naturalist, 167(5):628-637. http://www.dx.doi.org/10.1086/503059.

    Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.


    We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.


    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    Browse

    All of KU ScholarWorksCommunities & CollectionsThis Collection

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    The University of Kansas
      Contact KU ScholarWorks
    Lawrence, KS | Maps
     
    • Academics
    • Admission
    • Alumni
    • Athletics
    • Campuses
    • Giving
    • Jobs

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.

     Contact KU
    Lawrence, KS | Maps