Arctic seals as tracers of environmental and ecological change

Camille De La Vega; Claire Mahaffey; Robyn E. Tuerena; David J. Yurkowski; Steven H. Ferguson; Garry B. Stenson; Erling S. Nordøy; Tore Haug; Martin Biuw; Sophie Smout; Jo Hopkins; Alessandro Tagliabue; Rachel M. Jeffreys

doi:10.1002/lol2.10176

Arctic seals as tracers of environmental and ecological change

Camille De La Vega, Claire Mahaffey, Robyn E. Tuerena, David J. Yurkowski, Steven H. Ferguson, Garry B. Stenson, Erling S. Nordøy, Tore Haug, Martin Biuw, Sophie Smout, Jo Hopkins, Alessandro Tagliabue, Rachel M. Jeffreys

SAMS UHI

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Abstract

Knowledge of species trophic position (TP) is an essential component of ecosystem management. Determining TP from stable nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) in predators requires understanding how these tracers vary across environments and how they relate to predator isotope composition. We used two seal species as a model for determining TP across large spatial scales in the Arctic. δ15N in seawater nitrate (δ15NNO3) and seal muscle amino acids (δ15NAA) were determined to independently characterize the base of the food web and the TP of harp and ringed seals, demonstrating a direct link between δ15NNO3 and δ15NAA. Our results show that the spatial variation in δ15NAA in seals reflects the δ15NNO3 end members in Pacific vs. Atlantic waters. This study provides a reference for best practice on accurate comparison of TP in predators and as such, provides a framework to assess the impact of environmental and human‐induced changes on ecosystems at pan‐Arctic scales.

Original language	English
Number of pages	9
Journal	Limnology and Oceanography Letters
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/lol2.10176
Publication status	Published - 12 Nov 2020

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title = "Arctic seals as tracers of environmental and ecological change",

abstract = "Knowledge of species trophic position (TP) is an essential component of ecosystem management. Determining TP from stable nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) in predators requires understanding how these tracers vary across environments and how they relate to predator isotope composition. We used two seal species as a model for determining TP across large spatial scales in the Arctic. δ15N in seawater nitrate (δ15NNO3) and seal muscle amino acids (δ15NAA) were determined to independently characterize the base of the food web and the TP of harp and ringed seals, demonstrating a direct link between δ15NNO3 and δ15NAA. Our results show that the spatial variation in δ15NAA in seals reflects the δ15NNO3 end members in Pacific vs. Atlantic waters. This study provides a reference for best practice on accurate comparison of TP in predators and as such, provides a framework to assess the impact of environmental and human‐induced changes on ecosystems at pan‐Arctic scales.",

author = "{De La Vega}, Camille and Claire Mahaffey and Tuerena, {Robyn E.} and Yurkowski, {David J.} and Ferguson, {Steven H.} and Stenson, {Garry B.} and Nord{\o}y, {Erling S.} and Tore Haug and Martin Biuw and Sophie Smout and Jo Hopkins and Alessandro Tagliabue and Jeffreys, {Rachel M.}",

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year = "2020",

month = nov,

day = "12",

doi = "10.1002/lol2.10176",

language = "English",

journal = "Limnology and Oceanography Letters",

issn = "2378-2242",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Arctic seals as tracers of environmental and ecological change

AU - De La Vega, Camille

AU - Mahaffey, Claire

AU - Tuerena, Robyn E.

AU - Yurkowski, David J.

AU - Ferguson, Steven H.

AU - Stenson, Garry B.

AU - Nordøy, Erling S.

AU - Haug, Tore

AU - Biuw, Martin

AU - Smout, Sophie

AU - Hopkins, Jo

AU - Tagliabue, Alessandro

AU - Jeffreys, Rachel M.

PY - 2020/11/12

Y1 - 2020/11/12

N2 - Knowledge of species trophic position (TP) is an essential component of ecosystem management. Determining TP from stable nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) in predators requires understanding how these tracers vary across environments and how they relate to predator isotope composition. We used two seal species as a model for determining TP across large spatial scales in the Arctic. δ15N in seawater nitrate (δ15NNO3) and seal muscle amino acids (δ15NAA) were determined to independently characterize the base of the food web and the TP of harp and ringed seals, demonstrating a direct link between δ15NNO3 and δ15NAA. Our results show that the spatial variation in δ15NAA in seals reflects the δ15NNO3 end members in Pacific vs. Atlantic waters. This study provides a reference for best practice on accurate comparison of TP in predators and as such, provides a framework to assess the impact of environmental and human‐induced changes on ecosystems at pan‐Arctic scales.

AB - Knowledge of species trophic position (TP) is an essential component of ecosystem management. Determining TP from stable nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) in predators requires understanding how these tracers vary across environments and how they relate to predator isotope composition. We used two seal species as a model for determining TP across large spatial scales in the Arctic. δ15N in seawater nitrate (δ15NNO3) and seal muscle amino acids (δ15NAA) were determined to independently characterize the base of the food web and the TP of harp and ringed seals, demonstrating a direct link between δ15NNO3 and δ15NAA. Our results show that the spatial variation in δ15NAA in seals reflects the δ15NNO3 end members in Pacific vs. Atlantic waters. This study provides a reference for best practice on accurate comparison of TP in predators and as such, provides a framework to assess the impact of environmental and human‐induced changes on ecosystems at pan‐Arctic scales.

U2 - 10.1002/lol2.10176

DO - 10.1002/lol2.10176

M3 - Letter

SN - 2378-2242

JO - Limnology and Oceanography Letters

JF - Limnology and Oceanography Letters

ER -

Arctic seals as tracers of environmental and ecological change

Abstract

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