Citation
Large predators and biogeochemical hotspots: brown bear (Ursus arctos) predation on salmon alters nitrogen cycling in riparian soils
TL;DR
Bears distribute salmon-derived nutrients throughout riparian areas
This research expanded understanding of salmon-derived nutrient cycling by examining the role of bears in distributing marine-derived nutrients throughout riparian ecosystems. The study demonstrated how predator-prey interactions amplify the keystone nutrient effects of salmon.
The research illustrates how keystone effects can cascade through multiple species interactions, with bears serving as vectors that distribute salmon-derived nutrients across the landscape.
Key Findings from Holtgrieve et al. (2009)
- Bears distribute salmon-derived nutrients throughout riparian areas
- Bear predation on salmon creates biogeochemical hotspots
- Salmon nutrient effects amplified by predator-prey interactions
- Bear populations depend on salmon for 90% of pre-hibernation fat reserves