Plants cause ecosystem nutrient depletion via the interruption of bird-derived spatial subsidies.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Hillary S YoungRodolfo Dirzo

Abstract

Plant introductions and subsequent community shifts are known to affect nutrient cycling, but most such studies have focused on nutrient enrichment effects. The nature of plant-driven nutrient depletions and the mechanisms by which these might occur are relatively poorly understood. In this study we demonstrate that the proliferation of the commonly introduced coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, interrupts the flow of allochthonous marine subsidies to terrestrial ecosystems via an indirect effect: impact on birds. Birds avoid nesting or roosting in C. nucifera, thus reducing the critical nutrient inputs they bring from the marine environment. These decreases in marine subsidies then lead to reductions in available soil nutrients, decreases in leaf nutrient quality, diminished leaf palatability, and reduced herbivory. This nutrient depletion pathway contrasts the more typical patterns of nutrient enrichment that follow plant species introductions. Research on the effects of spatial subsidy disruptions on ecosystems has not yet examined interruptions driven by changes within the recipient community, such as plant community shifts. The ubiquity of coconut palm introductions across the tropics and subtropics makes these observations part...Continue Reading

References

May 23, 2000·Nature·F S ChapinS Díaz
Jan 3, 2001·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·S Nakano, M Murakami
Nov 19, 2004·Oecologia·Steven D Allison, Peter M Vitousek
Nov 23, 2006·Ecology Letters·Tadashi FukamiWendy M Williamson
Apr 27, 2007·Nature·Jennifer L Funk, Peter M Vitousek
Dec 3, 2008·Ecology Letters·Robert M Pringle, Kena Fox-Dobbs
Jun 1, 2004·Functional Plant Biology : FPB·Susanne SchmidtGeorge R Stewart
Oct 1, 1993·The New Phytologist·John Pearson, George R Stewart

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jan 26, 2012·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Teja TscharntkeCatrin Westphal
Jul 26, 2014·Science·Rodolfo DirzoBen Collen
Dec 12, 2012·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·William J SutherlandAndrew R Watkinson
Sep 3, 2013·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Amy S CommendadorKelley S Esh
Apr 10, 2015·AoB Plants·Mette VestergårdFlemming Ekelund
May 25, 2012·Scientific Reports·Douglas J McCauleyFiorenza Micheli
May 27, 2011·American Journal of Botany·Hillary S YoungRodolfo Dirzo
May 28, 2019·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Alexandra G McInturfOrr Spiegel
Sep 20, 2019·Ecology and Evolution·Chelsea L WoodPieter T J Johnson
Mar 28, 2018·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Molly Hardesty-MooreDouglas J McCauley
Dec 5, 2020·Scientific Reports·Rohan M BrookerMark E Hay
Apr 23, 2021·Current Biology : CB·Cassandra E BenkwittNicholas A J Graham
Jul 22, 2019·The Science of the Total Environment·M E GilmourS A Shaffer

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.