Classification method for quantification of waterbird nutrient cycling guilds

Abstract

This classification method for quantification of waterbird nutrient cycling guilds focuses on the location of feeding habitats and the quantitative role of waterbirds in the nutrient and energy flow for inland aquatic ecosystems. The classification is a complex integration of the taxonomic, trophic, feeding and daily habitat use patterns based on most relevant previous studies and reference data in relation with the ecology and nutrient cycling of waterbirds: A) Net-importer guild: includes species which feed mostly outside inland waters in the terrestrial ecosystems and wetlands, but use water bodies as gathering and roosting sites (geese, cranes). B) Importer-exporter guild: includes species which feed both outside and in of inland waters and wetlands (dabbling ducks and gulls). C) Net-exporter guild: includes species which feed mostly on inland waters and wetlands (diving ducks, grebes, cormorants, small herons, most shorebirds). Conclusion of main findings that method can significantly contribute to the better understanding how waterbirds can effect the environment and the guilds as ecological indicators quantify their ecosystem functions, services.•Net-importer guild includes species which feed mostly outside the inland waters•Importer-exporter guild includes species which feed both in- and outside inland waters•Net-exporter guild includes species which feed mostly inside the inland waters.

Keywords: Aquatic ecosystems; Ecological indicators; Importer-exporter waterbird guild; Inland waters; Net-exporter waterbird guild; Net-importer waterbird guild; Nutrient loading; Waterbird feeding guild; Waterbird trophic guild; Wetlands.