Predator-mediated nutrient transfers and recycling in ecosystems: Fine-scale variation in the contribution of Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) on and around the Kerguelen Islands DOI Creative Commons
Lola Gilbert, Jérôme Spitz, Mathilde Chevallay

et al.

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 975, P. 179195 - 179195

Published: March 31, 2025

Waters on the Kerguelen Plateau are characterised by a high productivity and unique nutrient dynamics compared to surrounding Southern Ocean. They support large populations of amphibious marine predators such as seabirds mammals, which participate in recycling at sea transfers from land their colonies. This study investigates contribution Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) biological 15 essential 5 non-essential nutrients around Islands during four-month breeding season. Nutrient concentrations 59 seal scats two colonies were examined used determine faecal output lactating females using bioenergetic model. We evidenced individual variability multi-nutrient composition scats, with different types potential fertilisers. Colony differences scat compositions resulted release levels that did not simply reflect colony abundances. suggests estimating predators' based averages (diets, prey or contents) likely overlooks important fine-scale spatial contributions. Collectively, deposit up 628 kg (95 % CI [548-710]) phosphorus (limiting land), 46.4 [39.8-53.2] iron sea), 5.9 [5.2-6.8] g lead (toxic most organisms). At sea, defecation could trigger locally significant enrichment events. On land, deposition is spatially concentrated coastal where range global crop fertiliser use. argue role local area should be overlooked, input consider any dynamic study.

Language: Английский

Predator-mediated nutrient transfers and recycling in ecosystems: Fine-scale variation in the contribution of Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) on and around the Kerguelen Islands DOI Creative Commons
Lola Gilbert, Jérôme Spitz, Mathilde Chevallay

et al.

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 975, P. 179195 - 179195

Published: March 31, 2025

Waters on the Kerguelen Plateau are characterised by a high productivity and unique nutrient dynamics compared to surrounding Southern Ocean. They support large populations of amphibious marine predators such as seabirds mammals, which participate in recycling at sea transfers from land their colonies. This study investigates contribution Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) biological 15 essential 5 non-essential nutrients around Islands during four-month breeding season. Nutrient concentrations 59 seal scats two colonies were examined used determine faecal output lactating females using bioenergetic model. We evidenced individual variability multi-nutrient composition scats, with different types potential fertilisers. Colony differences scat compositions resulted release levels that did not simply reflect colony abundances. suggests estimating predators' based averages (diets, prey or contents) likely overlooks important fine-scale spatial contributions. Collectively, deposit up 628 kg (95 % CI [548-710]) phosphorus (limiting land), 46.4 [39.8-53.2] iron sea), 5.9 [5.2-6.8] g lead (toxic most organisms). At sea, defecation could trigger locally significant enrichment events. On land, deposition is spatially concentrated coastal where range global crop fertiliser use. argue role local area should be overlooked, input consider any dynamic study.

Language: Английский

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