300169 UE Trophic ecology of aquatic ecosystems (2022W)

We will investigate the functioning of a lake ecosystem based on dietary organic matter and energy pathways, from primary producers to consumers of different trophic levels. In detail, we will analyze origin, dietary quality and energy content of potential food sources of different fish species obtained from the lake. We will investigate feeding ecology of fishes, patterns of food selectivity and their relevance for consumption and production, as well as the consequences on the food webs (i.e. bottom up vs. top down effects, trophic cascades, etc.). We will focus on different fish species, macro-zoobenthos, zooplankton and algae.
Methods: Qualitative and quantitative stomach and gut analyses of fishes, stable isotopes, C/N element analyses, lipids and fatty acid analyses, compound-specific stable isotopes, multivariate analysis, mixing models.