Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


Barrettn_MastersThesis.pdf (1.68 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Effects Of Warming and Increased Sediment Inputs on Pelagic Food Webs

Barrett, Nicholas John, Barrett
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1501154557516404

Abstract Details

2017, Master of Science, Miami University, Biology.
Along with warming, alterations to other environmental factors must also be considered in the context of climate change. For example, predicted increases in precipitation (frequency and severity) and anthropogenic influence (e.g., development and agriculture) will lead to increased sediment inputs to aquatic systems via runoff. Both warming and sediment inputs may affect primary producers, consumers, and overall food web dynamics in complex ways, however their combined effects are poorly understood. To assess the effects of these factors on aquatic food webs, we implemented a fully factorial mesocosm experiment in which we manipulated temperature (+3°C), sediment input, and food chain length (presence or absence of bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus). Sediment inputs lead to increased phytoplankton biomass, but only when fish were present. On the other hand, warming decreased phytoplankton biomass, except when sediments were also added. Thus, sediment inputs mediated the response of phytoplankton biomass to both warming and fish presence. Fish reduced zooplankton biomass, but had no effect on zooplankton production, whereas warming reduced both zooplankton biomass and production. Warming increased fish survival, while sediment inputs decreased survival but increased fish growth. However, total fish biomass did not differ between treatments likely due to these contrasting effects of warming and sediment inputs on their growth and survival. Our results provide valuable insight into the independent and combined effects of warming and sediment inputs on aquatic food webs and thus, along with warming, factors that contribute to increased sediment inputs must also be considered in the context of climate change.
Maria Gonzalez, Dr. (Advisor)
Michael Vanni, Dr. (Committee Member)
Jing Zhang, Dr. (Committee Member)
Michelle Boone, Dr. (Committee Member)
38 p.
Biology; Ecology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Barrett, Barrett, N. J. (2017). Effects Of Warming and Increased Sediment Inputs on Pelagic Food Webs [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1501154557516404

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Barrett, Barrett, Nicholas. Effects Of Warming and Increased Sediment Inputs on Pelagic Food Webs. 2017. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1501154557516404.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Barrett, Barrett, Nicholas. "Effects Of Warming and Increased Sediment Inputs on Pelagic Food Webs." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1501154557516404

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1501154557516404
177
© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.