OOS 20
Biomarkers in Trophic Ecology: Past, Present and Future Perspectives

Tuesday, August 11, 2015: 8:00 AM-11:30 AM
336, Baltimore Convention Center
Organizer:
Brian Hayden, University of New Brunswick
Co-organizers:
Chris Harrod, University of Antofagasta; David Soto, University of New Brunswick; and Rick Cunjak, University of New Brunswick
Moderator:
Brian Hayden, University of New Brunswick
Time-integrated assessments of species interactions, energy flows and overall food web dynamics are integral to most aspects of modern ecology. Whether examining the effects of invasive species, quantifying productivity shifts due to climate change, or identifying critical life history traits of threatened species, ecologists require reliable data going beyond that which can be directly gathered in the field. To this end, biomarkers are employed to characterize the longer-term activity of an organism or within an ecosystem. The application of biomarkers to trophic ecology has grown rapidly from fundamental work on bio–accumulation of mercury, to bulk stable isotope and fatty acid analysis, and most recently the combination of both of these techniques in compound specific stable isotope analysis. As such, a variety of tools are now in place, and are regularly used, to identify trophic links and energy pathways in almost every ecosystem on the planet. However, as most researchers specialize on a single method, many are unaware of the possibilities presented by alternate techniques. As the strongest results are those supported by a variety of methods, this scenario represents a stumbling block, hindering important developments in conservation biology and beyond. This session brings together a diverse panel of experts who will each present current research from their own area of expertise. The session aims to raise awareness of the potential for integration of multiple techniques fostering knowledge transfer and collaboration within the community. The session will be of interest to ecologists currently using biomarkers or examining the potential applications of biomarkers to their research. The topics covered are applicable to researchers of all fields but colleagues studying aquatic ecosystems are especially encouraged to attend. Twitter uses can follow developments in the session by using the hashtag #ESAbiomarkers
8:00 AM
 Stable isotopes and food chain length
David M. Post, Yale University
8:40 AM
 Use and abuse of mixing models (MixSIAR)
Brian C. Stock, UC San Diego; Brice X. Semmens, UC San Diego; Eric J. Ward, Northwest Fisheries Science Center; Andrew Parnell, University College, Dublin; Andrew L. Jackson, Trinity College Dublin; Donald L. Phillips, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Stuart Bearhop, University of Exeter Cornwall; Richard Inger, Environment and Sustainability Institute
9:00 AM
 Atlantic anadromous fishes are important vectors of pulsed marine-nutrient subsidies to freshwater ecosystems
Kurt M. Samways, University of New Brunswick; Richard A. Cunjak, University of New Brunswick
9:40 AM
9:50 AM
 Reconstructing stable isotope baselines in paleo-ecosystems: A solution for near shore food webs
Nicole Misarti, University of Alaska, Fairbanks; Elizabeth Gier, University of California Santa Cruz; Bruce Finney, Idaho State University; Matthew McCarthy, University of California Santa Cruz
10:10 AM
 Change in isotopic signatures suggest food web shift off the western Antarctic Peninsula
Tracey L. Rogers, University of New South Wales; Michaela Ciaglia, University of New South Wales; Anita Andrews, Environmental Isotopes; David Slip, Taronga Conservation Society Australia; Maria E.I. Márquez, Instituto Antártico Argentino; Javier Negrete, Instituto Antártico Argentino; Tamsin O'Connell, University of Cambridge
10:30 AM
 Compound-specific radiocarbon analysis for ecological research: A case study using 14C composition of chlorophyll a from stream periphyton
Naoto F. Ishikawa, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology; Masako Yamane, University of Tokyo; Hisami Suga, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology; Nanako O. Ogawa, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology; Yusuke Yokoyama, University of Tokyo; Naohiko Ohkouchi, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
10:50 AM
 Understanding seasonal trophic linkages via fatty acid profiles, and bulk, lipid and fatty acid-specific stable isotopes in Arctic marine invertebrates
Stephanie D. Smith, University of Texas at Austin; Tara L. Connelly, Memorial Univeristy; Carolynn M. Harris, University of Texas at Austin; Kenneth H. Dunton, University of Texas at Austin; James W. McClelland, University of Texas at Austin