Data from: Predator-rodent-plant interactions along a coast-inland gradient in Fennoscandian tundra ...
Spatial variation in the strength of trophic cascades in arctic tundra has been related to flows of subsidies across ecosystem boundaries. Here, we ask whether the input of marine subsidies in tundra systems would cause spatial variation in the strength of rodent-plant interactions between coastal a...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Dataset |
| Language: | English |
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Dryad
2015
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://dx.doi.org/10.5061/dryad.dt059 https://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.dt059 |
| Summary: | Spatial variation in the strength of trophic cascades in arctic tundra has been related to flows of subsidies across ecosystem boundaries. Here, we ask whether the input of marine subsidies in tundra systems would cause spatial variation in the strength of rodent-plant interactions between coastal areas, where predators have access to marine-derived resources, and non-subsidized inland areas of northern Fennoscandia. We present a detailed evaluation of predator-rodent-vegetation interactions along a coast-inland gradient, during the 2011 rodent outbreak and the two following decline years, by using direct assessments of rodent impacts and tracing of marine-derived nutrients in the food web. Our results revealed that the main rodent predator during summer, the long-tailed jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus, did not benefit from marine resources while breeding (relative dietary proportion in chicks’ diet = 0-3%). Contrary to this pattern, parasitic jaegers S. parasiticus, bred exclusively near the coast and ... : Stable isotopic values of jaegers and their prey used in Ruffino et al. 2015 EcographyStable isotope values of long-tailed and parasitic jaegers' chick feathers in nothern Fennoscandian tundra. Values are arranged by year and study area. There were three study areas, scattered along a coast (Altafjord) - inland (highland tundra plateau of Joatka Reserch Area) gradient (see Figure 1 in Ruffino et al. 2015 in Ecography for details of study areas). Year 2011 was a rodent outbreak year (both Norwegian lemmings and voles) in our study areas, while in 2012 rodent abundances declined sharply. Values have been obtained after lipid extraction - Analyses were made at the Stable Isotope Laboratory of Environment Canada, Saskatoon, Canada. See also the supplementary files of Ruffino et al. 2015 for further details on how the stable isotopic analyses were conducted.Ruffino_etal_2015_Ecography_Dryad files.xlsx ... |
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