Evans, Rebecca J. (2025) Influence of across-shelf food sources on subarctic benthic functioning and biodiversity. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.
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Abstract
Limited baseline information on the biodiversity and long-term diet of Arctic continental shelf invertebrate communities impedes establishment of effective conservation strategies in the face of anthropogenic disturbances, despite their contribution to global ecosystem functioning and services. Using taxonomy, bulk stable isotope, and fatty acid analyses of macro- and mega-faunal data collected with box cores and bottom trawls across the continental shelf near Nain, Nunatsiavut, Labrador in September 2019, our analyses suggest high taxonomic and functional diversity, and intermediate taxonomic evenness. Community composition and community-weighted means of functional traits differed spatially, driven by high gastropod abundances located mid-shelf. Large ranges in bulk carbon and nitrogen isotope values among taxa suggest extensive variation in diet, potentially driven by a range in basal food sources and trophic levels, which span four trophic positions. Despite relying on partly degraded, pelagic-origin food sources, dominant taxa exhibit dietary flexibility. Fatty acid results support isotope findings, except at two sites with higher bacterial- or terrestrial-origin food sources, potentially suggesting greater food web length. This research suggests some disturbance resiliency through high taxonomic and functional diversity and dietary flexibility.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| URI: | http://research.library.mun.ca/id/eprint/16967 |
| Item ID: | 16967 |
| Additional Information: | Includes bibliographical references (pages 125-181) -- Restricted until May 1, 2026 |
| Keywords: | benthic invertebrates, biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, bulk isotopes, fatty acids |
| Department(s): | Science, Faculty of > Biology |
| Date: | May 2025 |
| Date Type: | Submission |
| Library of Congress Subject Heading: | Marine invertebrates--Arctic regions; Marine biodiversity--Arctic regions; Marine ecology--Arctic regions; Stable isotopes in ecological research; Fatty acids--Analysis |
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