Ecosystem effects of water column minnows in experimental streams

We used red shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis) as a model to examine ecosystem e ffects of water column stream minnows (Cyprinidae) in experimental streams. Benthic primary productivity, benthic invertebrate abundance, water column nutrient concentrations, size distribution of benthic particulate organic matter (BPOM), and sedimentation rates were measured across a range of fish densities (0-26.6 fish m(-2)) over a 35-day period. In addition, effects o f fish density on algal standing crop and benthic invertebrates in experime ntal streams were examined over a longer time span (156 and 203 days). Afte r 35 days, benthic primary productivity was positively associated with fish density, with an approximate three-fold increase in productivity between e xperimental streams stocked with no fish and those with 26.6 fish m(-2). No effects on other ecosystem properties were detected after 35 days. Additio nally, there was no effect on algal standing crop after 156 or 203 days and no effect on benthic invertebrates after 203 days. Because red shiners fed primarily on terrestrial insects, this experiment suggests that water colu mn minnows can affect primary productivity in streams by transporting nutri ents from terrestrial sources to the benthic compartment of the ecosystem. However, this effect may only be important in streams or during periods whe n nutrients are limiting.