Energy flow and nutrient cycling in salamander populations in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1975 · Ecology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1936147· OSTI ID:5325682

Burton, T M; Likens, G E

Energy flow through salamander populations in the Hubbard Brook Ecosystem is about 11,000 kcal/ha yr (=46,000 kJ/ha yr). This is approx. = 0.02% of the net primary productivity, and is approx. = 20% of the energy flow through bird and mammal populations. Salamanders are efficient (60%) at converting ingested energy into new tissue and produce more new tissue annually than do bird populations. Salamanders are insignificant agents as sinks for nutrients or as agents for nutrient cycling in the ecosystem. Sodium is the possible exception, as an amount equivalent to >8% of the Na in annual litter fall passes through salamander populations; all other nutrients (Ca, Mg, K, P, N, S, and Zn) are <1%. Calcium content of salamanders is > that of most of their invertebrate prey. There is some evidence that invertebrates rich in Ca content, such as snails and mites, are necessary components of the diet of salamanders. Salamander tissue is higher in protein content than that of birds and mammals and represents a source of high-quality energy for potential predators. Salamanders have restricted home ranges and are not significant agents in the movement of nutrients into or out of the system.

• Research Organization: Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY
• OSTI ID: 5325682
• Journal Information: Ecology; (United States), Journal Name: Ecology; (United States) Vol. 56; ISSN ECOLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510100* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
AMPHIBIANS
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
CALCIUM
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY BUDGETS
FEDERAL REGION I
MAGNESIUM
METALS
MINERAL CYCLING
NEW HAMPSHIRE
NITROGEN
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
NUTRIENTS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORUS
POTASSIUM
PREDATOR-PREY INTERACTIONS
PROTEINS
SALAMANDERS
SODIUM
SULFUR
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS
USA
VERTEBRATES
ZINC