Ecological stoichiometry

Abstract

In sum, ecological stoichiometry theory describes how food quality affects food web dynamics by defining not only the pathway of flow of needed elements by consumers but also the pathways by which “excess” nutrients are recycled, further altering nutrient availability for lower trophic levels. Ecological stoichiometry has several important implications for the health and sustainability of aquatic systems. Stoichiometric imbalances may accelerate transformations of nutrients or may alter the processes by which nutrients are cycled in the ecosystem and thus nutrient availability or form for primary producers (Elser and Hamilton, 2007). When food quality is linked to food web outcome, feedback effects and nutrient biogeochemical processes may play large roles in species success. Moreover, ecological stoichiometry bears significantly on the debate of whether aquatic ecosystem restoration efforts should focus on P removal, N removal, or both (e.g., Carpenter, 2008; Conley et al., 2009; Doney, 2010 and references therein). Single nutrient removal strategies can drive ecosystems into states of stoichiometric imbalance. Imbalances in stoichiometry may destabilize the dynamics of consumers, shifting systems to new conditions. Single nutrient removal strategies may have unintended consequences for aquatic ecosystems.