Predator transitory spillover induces trophic cascades in ecological sinks

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1113286109
• Publication Date: 2012-04-14T04:51:02Z
• Authors: Michele Casini; Thorsten Blenckner; Christian Möllmann; Anna Gårdmark; Martin Lindegren; Marcos Llope; Georgs Kornilovs; Maris Plikshs; Nils Christian St...
• Keywords: Trophic cascade; Marine ecosystem

Understanding the effects of cross-system fluxes is fundamental in ecosystem ecology and biological conservation. Source-sink dynamics spillover processes may link adjacent ecosystems by movement organisms across system boundaries. However, temporal variability these on a whole marine structure have not yet been presented. Here we show, using 35 y multitrophic data series from Baltic Sea, that transitory top-predator cod its main distribution area produces cascading food web an semi-isolated ecosystem. At varying population size, expand/contract their range invade/retreat neighboring Gulf Riga, thereby affecting local prey herring and, indirectly, zooplankton phytoplankton via top-down control. The Riga can be considered for “true sink” habitat, where absence immigration source areas central Sea goes extinct due to suitable spawning grounds. Our results add metaecosystem perspective ongoing intense scientific debate key role top predators structuring natural systems. integration regional predict species responses future climate changes anthropogenic disturbances.