A review of the feedbacks between bivalve grazing and ecosystem processes

TY - JOUR

T1 - A review of the feedbacks between bivalve grazing and ecosystem processes

AU - Prins, T.C.

AU - Smaal, A.C.

AU - Dame, R.F.

N1 - Reporting year: 1998 Metis note: 2349; CEME; ES; file:///L:/Endnotedatabases/NIOOPUB/pdfs/Pdfs1998/Prins_ea_2349.pdf

PY - 1998

Y1 - 1998

N2 - This paper gives an overview of interactions between bivalve grazing and ecosystem processes, that may affect the carrying capacity of ecosystems for bivalve suspension feeders. These interactions consist of a number of positive and negative feedbacks. Bivalve grazing can result in local food depletion, which may negatively influence bivalve growth. On a larger scale, it may induce a top-down control of phytoplankton biomasss, and structural shifts in phytoplankton composition. In the case of harmful algal blooms, phytoplankton may negatively affect bivalve grazing rates. The processing of large amounts of particulate matter may change nutrient cycling on the scale of estuaries, and can result in changes in the inorganic nutrient pool available for phytoplankton, through regeneration and reduced storage of nutrients in algal biomass. This can reduce nutrient limitation of the phytoplankton and stimulate algal growth rates. Observations from mesocosm studies suggest that a positive feedback from bivalve grazing on phytoplankton growth may also change the physiological state of the algae and improve food quality. [KEYWORDS: suspension-feeding bivalves, phytoplankton, nutrient cycling, primary production, carrying capacity]

AB - This paper gives an overview of interactions between bivalve grazing and ecosystem processes, that may affect the carrying capacity of ecosystems for bivalve suspension feeders. These interactions consist of a number of positive and negative feedbacks. Bivalve grazing can result in local food depletion, which may negatively influence bivalve growth. On a larger scale, it may induce a top-down control of phytoplankton biomasss, and structural shifts in phytoplankton composition. In the case of harmful algal blooms, phytoplankton may negatively affect bivalve grazing rates. The processing of large amounts of particulate matter may change nutrient cycling on the scale of estuaries, and can result in changes in the inorganic nutrient pool available for phytoplankton, through regeneration and reduced storage of nutrients in algal biomass. This can reduce nutrient limitation of the phytoplankton and stimulate algal growth rates. Observations from mesocosm studies suggest that a positive feedback from bivalve grazing on phytoplankton growth may also change the physiological state of the algae and improve food quality. [KEYWORDS: suspension-feeding bivalves, phytoplankton, nutrient cycling, primary production, carrying capacity]

U2 - 10.1023/A:1009924624259

DO - 10.1023/A:1009924624259

M3 - Article

SN - 1386-2588

VL - 31

SP - 349

EP - 359

JO - Aquatic Ecology

JF - Aquatic Ecology

ER -