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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
09:38
Understanding Dissolved Organic Matter Biogeochemistry Through In Situ Nutrient Manipulations in Stream Ecosystems
Published on: October 29, 2016
Nutrient flows and trophic interactions in natural microcosms: typologies, boundaries and complexities
Manasa Kulkarni1, Renee M Borges1
1Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560012, India.
Summary
Natural microcosms offer unique experimental systems for studying nutrient cycling. Their complex nutrient networks and elemental flows can advance biogeochemistry and ecological stoichiometry theories.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Biogeochemistry
- Ecological Stoichiometry
Background:
- Natural microcosms are small ecosystems with complex nutrient networks.
- Their boundaries can be difficult to define, complicating nutrient inflow measurements.
- Microcosms can be classified as open/closed and biological/non-biological, influencing nutrient dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the unrealized potential of natural microcosms for advancing biogeochemistry and ecological stoichiometry.
- To emphasize the need for new nutrient network models that incorporate organismal stoichiometric flexibility and mixotrophy.
- To outline challenges and advantages of using natural microcosms as model systems.
Main Methods:
- Profiling of complex nutrient networks within natural microcosms.
- Characterization of elemental phenotypes of organisms and their drivers.
- Development of new nutrient network models to incorporate trophic complexity.
Main Results:
- Natural microcosms are amenable to experimentation and measurement of elemental sources and sinks.
- Understanding of microcosms benefits from biogeochemical and ecological stoichiometry approaches.
- Accurate nutrient book-keeping is achievable within these systems.
Conclusions:
- Natural microcosms hold significant potential for advancing ecological and biogeochemical theories.
- Further research requires integrating stoichiometric flexibility and mixotrophy into nutrient network models.
- Natural microcosms serve as valuable model systems for ecological research.
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