Understanding food webs in the Chesapeake Bay
Approaches to predictive modeling and to management of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem are 'bottom up' (i.e., approaches involve the control of nutrient inputs in attempts to manage plankton productivity) and 'top down' (i.e., approaches involve controls on harvest of fisheries and wildlife in attempts to manage vertebrate populations). Both approaches are limited by a lack of understanding of trophic connections between nutrient inputs, primary producers, and higher trophic level consumers. This project is aimed at identifying trophic structure for the submersed aquatic vegetation habitat of the Chesapeake Bay. We are employing analysis of stable isotope ratios of plant and animal tissues to identify trophic levels and traditional food habits analysis to identify the foods of a number of species of waterfowl.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2002 |
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Title | Understanding food webs in the Chesapeake Bay |
Authors | J.R. Keough, G. M. Haramis, M. C. Perry |
Publication Type | Book Chapter |
Publication Subtype | Book Chapter |
Index ID | 5211224 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |