OOS 20

Biomarkers in Trophic Ecology: Past, Present and Future Perspectives

Time-integrated assessments of species interactions, energy flows and overall food web dynamics are integral to most aspects of modern ecology. Whether examining the effects of invasive species, quantifying productivity shifts due to climate change, or identifying critical life history traits of threatened species, ecologists require reliable data going beyond that which can be directly gathered in the field. To this end, biomarkers are employed to characterize the longer-term activity of an organism or within an ecosystem. The application of biomarkers to trophic ecology has grown rapidly from fundamental work on bio–accumulation of mercury, to bulk stable isotope and fatty acid analysis, and most recently the combination of both of these techniques in compound specific stable isotope analysis. As such, a variety of tools are now in place, and are regularly used, to identify trophic links and energy pathways in almost every ecosystem on the planet. However, as most researchers specialize on a single method, many are unaware of the possibilities presented by alternate techniques. As the strongest results are those supported by a variety of methods, this scenario represents a stumbling block, hindering important developments in conservation biology and beyond. This session brings together a diverse panel of experts who will each present current research from their own area of expertise. The session aims to raise awareness of the potential for integration of multiple techniques fostering knowledge transfer and collaboration within the community. The session will be of interest to ecologists currently using biomarkers or examining the potential applications of biomarkers to their research. The topics covered are applicable to researchers of all fields but colleagues studying aquatic ecosystems are especially encouraged to attend. Twitter uses can follow developments in the session by using the hashtag #ESAbiomarkers