Groundwater food webs

Abstract

A central goal of ecology is to understand the factors dictating observed patterns in biodiversity and the description of food webs is a commonly used approach in these efforts. In this chapter, we explore groundwater ecosystem dynamics within the context of food web processes. We begin with a discussion of basal energy dynamics in groundwater food webs that covers both organic matter dynamics as well as chemolithoautotrophic primary production. Next, we explore the role that habitat plays in structuring groundwater food web dynamics, including how void size (cracks and interstitial spaces) and surface connectivity influence both groundwater community composition as well as materials and energy inputs and processing. We also cover how various food web mechanisms influence groundwater community composition, including trophic niche diversification and bottom-up and top-down processes. Lastly, we highlight several areas of research that will likely advance our understanding of groundwater food web dynamics.