Positive feedback in aquatic ecosystems

Lewi Stone; Richard S.J. Weisburd

doi:10.1016/0169-5347(92)90172-8

Positive feedback in aquatic ecosystems

Lewi Stone^*
, Richard S.J. Weisburd

^*Corresponding author for this work

Israel Oceanographic & Limnological Research Ltd.
National Institute for Environmental Studies of Japan

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aquatic ecosystems offer striking examples of how positive feedback can be integral to the dynamics of complex communities. In particular, microorganisms (bacteria and protozoa) introduce a multitude of positive feedback pathways by rapidly recycling nutrients at the very base of many aquatic food webs. The relatively large magnitude of fluxes being shunted through this 'microbial loop' allows an accumulation of nutrients in localized areas, promotes a general build-up of biomass, and acts as a 'life-support system' in harsh environments. In contrast to customary notions which portray positive feedback effects as undesirable, a reassessment indicates that this 'bootstrapping' can often be advantageous for many organisms.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	263-267
Number of pages	5
Journal	Trends in Ecology and Evolution
Volume	7
Issue number	8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/0169-5347(92)90172-8
State	Published - Aug 1992
Externally published	Yes

Funding

Funders	Funder number
Science and Technology Agency
US-Israel Binational Science Foundation
United States - Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund	US-0076-87
Griffith University	870006

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10.1016/0169-5347(92)90172-8

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title = "Positive feedback in aquatic ecosystems",

abstract = "Aquatic ecosystems offer striking examples of how positive feedback can be integral to the dynamics of complex communities. In particular, microorganisms (bacteria and protozoa) introduce a multitude of positive feedback pathways by rapidly recycling nutrients at the very base of many aquatic food webs. The relatively large magnitude of fluxes being shunted through this 'microbial loop' allows an accumulation of nutrients in localized areas, promotes a general build-up of biomass, and acts as a 'life-support system' in harsh environments. In contrast to customary notions which portray positive feedback effects as undesirable, a reassessment indicates that this 'bootstrapping' can often be advantageous for many organisms.",

author = "Lewi Stone and Weisburd, \{Richard S.J.\}",

note = "Funding Information: Acknowledgements We thank Tom Berman, Barry Sherr and anonymous referees for their help and constructive criticisms. This work was supported by Griffith University, grant no. 870006 from the US-Israel Binational Science Foundation, the US-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund Postdoctoral Fellowship US-0076-87 (RW), and Science and Technology Agency of Japan Fellowship 190081 UW.",

year = "1992",

month = aug,

doi = "10.1016/0169-5347(92)90172-8",

language = "אנגלית",

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AU - Weisburd, Richard S.J.

N1 - Funding Information: Acknowledgements We thank Tom Berman, Barry Sherr and anonymous referees for their help and constructive criticisms. This work was supported by Griffith University, grant no. 870006 from the US-Israel Binational Science Foundation, the US-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund Postdoctoral Fellowship US-0076-87 (RW), and Science and Technology Agency of Japan Fellowship 190081 UW.

PY - 1992/8

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N2 - Aquatic ecosystems offer striking examples of how positive feedback can be integral to the dynamics of complex communities. In particular, microorganisms (bacteria and protozoa) introduce a multitude of positive feedback pathways by rapidly recycling nutrients at the very base of many aquatic food webs. The relatively large magnitude of fluxes being shunted through this 'microbial loop' allows an accumulation of nutrients in localized areas, promotes a general build-up of biomass, and acts as a 'life-support system' in harsh environments. In contrast to customary notions which portray positive feedback effects as undesirable, a reassessment indicates that this 'bootstrapping' can often be advantageous for many organisms.

AB - Aquatic ecosystems offer striking examples of how positive feedback can be integral to the dynamics of complex communities. In particular, microorganisms (bacteria and protozoa) introduce a multitude of positive feedback pathways by rapidly recycling nutrients at the very base of many aquatic food webs. The relatively large magnitude of fluxes being shunted through this 'microbial loop' allows an accumulation of nutrients in localized areas, promotes a general build-up of biomass, and acts as a 'life-support system' in harsh environments. In contrast to customary notions which portray positive feedback effects as undesirable, a reassessment indicates that this 'bootstrapping' can often be advantageous for many organisms.

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VL - 7

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JO - Trends in Ecology and Evolution

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Positive feedback in aquatic ecosystems

Abstract

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