Changes in a generalist predator's trophic information signals ecological resilience erosion and regime shifts

Generalist predators are characterized as sentinel species because they are conspicuous, occupy top trophic positions of the food chain, and have life history traits that make their trophic information sensitive to ecosystem state alteration. Here, we test if changes in the trophic information of a generalist predator along an eutrophication gradient can be used to determine the regime shift of lake ecosystems between clear and turbid states and provide reliable estimates of their resilience. We find that redfin culter (Chanodichthys erythropterus) trophic information responded differently to eutrophication than traditional indicators. Trophic tipping points, reached at 14.90% coverage of macrophyte, appeared earlier than those of traditional indicators. Further, the hysteresis associated to the predator’s state characterized by prey reliance on benthic fishes of low trophic signature was found to be greater than that of the ‘macrophyte-poor’ turbid state. Conclusively, generalist predators can not only serve as sentinels of the ecosystem, but also be the last barrier to be broken through in restoring the ecosystem.

WANG Huan;  MOLINOS Jorge Garcia;  VASILAKOPOULOS Paraskevas;  XIE Songguang;  ZHANG Peiyu;  ZHANG Huan;  XU Jun; 

2025-02-13

INT SOC ENVIRON INFORM SCI

JRC132543

1684-8799 (online),   

http://www.jeionline.org/index.php?journal=mys&page=article&op=view&path%5B%5D=202500529,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC132543,   

10.3808/jei.202500529 (online),