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Stable isotopic (δ15N, δ13C) analysis of wood in trees growing in past and present colonies of burrow-nesting seabirds in New Zealand. I. δ15N in two species of conifer (Podocarpaceae) from a mainland colony of Westland petrels (Procellaria westlandica), Punakaiki, South Island.
- Source :
-
Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand . Jun2007, Vol. 37 Issue 2, p75-84. 10p. - Publication Year :
- 2007
-
Abstract
- Marine nitrogen (N) has been traced into terrestrial and freshwater food chains at petrel (Aves: Procellariiformes) colonies on the South Island of New Zealand, but the effects of N or other marine-derived nutrients on the productivity of mainland forests are unknown. Mean ring widths in matai (Prumnopitys taxifolia; n = 3) and rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum; n = 2) trees growing in a Westland petrel (Procellaria westlandica) colony were 0.9-1.4 mm yr-1, similar to ring widths reported elsewhere. However, series of much wider rings in cores showed that trees in a petrel colony can experience periods of accelerated growth. δ15N values of whole wood were, at 3.2-11.1‰, significantly enriched in comparison to other temperate forest trees. The highest δ15N values were at the cambial and pith ends of different cores, so isotopic fractionation during N remobilisation is unlikely to have been significant. The radial extent of 15N enrichment suggests that petrels have bred at the site since at least the mid 18th century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *STABLE isotopes
*PODOCARPACEAE
*DACRYDIUM (Plants)
*PETRELS
*FOOD chains
*ISLANDS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 03036758
- Volume :
- 37
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 25605329
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/03014220709510537