Citation
Pacific Salmon and the Ecology of Coastal Ecosystems
TL;DR
Salmon transport marine-derived nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) to freshwater ecosystems
This research demonstrated that salmon-derived nutrients can account for 20-40% of the nitrogen in riparian vegetation near spawning streams. The finding that dying parents literally become the substrate that feeds their offspring through ecosystem enrichment provides a powerful model for understanding how founder exits and organizational deaths can nourish successor organizations.
The research shows that monocarpic strategies aren't just about the direct offspring - they can enrich entire ecosystems, enabling indirect benefits that multiply the reproductive event's impact.
Key Findings from Schindler et al. (2003)
- Salmon transport marine-derived nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) to freshwater ecosystems
- Dying salmon provide 20-40% of nitrogen in riparian vegetation
- Juvenile salmon feed on insects that consumed parent-derived nutrients
- Parents indirectly feed offspring by enriching entire food web
- Monocarpic reproduction benefits extend beyond direct offspring to ecosystem