The invasion of
Phragmites australis into tidal marshes formerly dominated by
Spartina alterniflora has resulted in considerable interest in the consequences of this invasion for the ecological functions of marsh habitat.
We examined the provision of trophic support for a resident marsh fish,
Fundulus heteroclitus, in marshes dominated by
P. australis, by
S. alterniflora, and in restored marshes, using multiple stable isotope analysis. We first evaluated our ability to distinguish among potential
primary producers using the multiple stable isotope approach. Within a tidal creek system we found significant marsh and elevation
effects on microalgal isotope values, and sufficient variability and overlap in primary producer isotope values to create
some difficulty in identifying unique end members. The food webs supporting
F. heteroclitus production were examined using dual isotope plots. At both sites, the δ
13C values of
F. heteroclitus were clustered over values for benthic microalgae (BMI) and approximately midway between δ
13C values of
Spartina and
Phragmites. Based on comparisons of fish and primary producer δ
13C, δ
15N, and δ
34S values, and consideration of
F. heteroclitus feeding habits, we conclude that BMI were a significant component of the food web supporting
F. heteroclitus in these brackish marshes, especially recently-hatched fish occupying pools on the marsh surface. A 2‰ difference in δ
13C between
Fundulus occupying nearly adjacent
Spartina and
Phragmites marshes may be indicative of relatively less reliance on BMI and greater reliance on
Phragmites production in
Phragmites-dominated marshes, a conclusion consistent with the reduced BMI biomass found in
Phragmites marshes. The mean δ
13C value of
F. heteroclitus from restored marshes was intermediate between values of fish from naturally occurring
Spartina marshes and areas invaded by
Phragmites. We also examined the isotopic evidence for ontogenetic changes in the trophic position of larval and juvenile
F. heteroclitus. We found significant positive relationships between
F. heteroclitus δ
15N values and total length, reflective of an increase in trophic position as fish grow.
F. heteroclitus δ
15N values indicate that these fish are feeding approximately two trophic levels above primary producers.