Trophic Diversity and Food Web Structure of Vegetated Habitats Along a Coastal Topographic Gradient

Land–sea interactions in coastal wetlands create heterogeneous vegetated habitats with regular zonation along a topographic gradient. However, it’s unclear how the trophic diversity of communities and structure food webs change Here, we investigated empirically resolved web across four ( Phragmites australis , Suaeda salsa Spartina alterniflora Zostera japonica seagrass) gradient from upland to near-shore waters Yellow River Delta wetland. We quantified δ 13 C 15 N carbon sources (detritus, primary producers) consumers (zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, fish). differed significantly among habitats. Carbon became more C-enriched N-enriched gradient, respectively. The consumer position was higher S. habitat than seagrass habitat, followed by P. formed invasive had lowest corrected standard ellipse areas vs. plots for basal all combined, Layman community metrics range, total area, centroid distance; thus, groups this isotopic diversity. Using Bayesian isotope mixing model, found that diet compositions greatly where present, except shrimps polychaetes. Food topological properties (species richness, number links, linkage density, proportions intermediate omnivores) increased Generally, heterogeneity created highly variable webs. Our results provide insights into spatial variation ecosystems demonstrate need protect wetlands, combined adaptive management control species.