How algal biochemistry contributes to the regulation of freshwater food webs
Abstract: Algae are the basis of most freshwater food webs. However, not all algae are equal when it comes to their suitability for herbivores. On the one hand, the nutrient and biochemical composition of algae determine their dietary quality for herbivores and thereby the efficiency at which primary producer biomass is transferred through the food web. On the other hand, algal chemical cues contribute to the modulation of grazer behaviour and fitness. I will illustrate these mechanisms using examples from both benthic and pelagic freshwater algae-herbivore interactions using different scales and approaches of experimental aquatic ecology. Overall, this highlights that not only algal biomass, but also their composition is an important factor in the regulation of the transfer of biomass and energy in freshwater food webs.
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