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This research aims to enhance the understanding of ecological niches by comparing two-dimensional and three-dimensional isotopic approaches in an Arctic coastal ecosystem.

May 15, 2026Ecology and Evolution0 citationsOpen Access

2D to 3D : Exploring Variation of Niche Dimensionality Across Consumers in a Coastal Arctic Ecosystem and Implications on Interpretation

PCPaloma C. Carvalho KJKelsey F. Johnson KEKyle H. Elliott

Key Points

This research aims to enhance the understanding of ecological niches by comparing two-dimensional and three-dimensional isotopic approaches in an Arctic coastal ecosystem.
Utilized stable isotope analysis (δ 13 C, δ 15 N, δ 34 S) for 664 individuals across 49 species.
Compared traditional 2D isotopic niches with a 3D framework using nicheROVER.
Assessed changes in niche size and overlap among benthic and pelagic species.
Benthic-associated species showed greater changes in isotopic niche size with δ 34 S addition than pelagic species.
Niche overlap among benthic-associated taxa decreased with the 3D approach, indicating improved resolution in habitat use.
Multidimensional isotopic analysis provides better insights into ecological diversity and resource partitioning compared to 2D approaches.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Each species occupies a distinct ecological niche, defined by a specific set of environmental conditions and resource requirements necessary for its survival and reproduction. However, climate change is altering species distributions, predator–prey relationships, and resource partitioning between species, with these changes being pronounced in the Arctic. Stable isotope analysis of carbon (δ 13 C) and nitrogen (δ 15 N) has been widely used to estimate isotopic niches and quantify niche overlap among species using a two‐dimensional approach (2D). However, δ 13 C is not always sufficient to differentiate habitat and resource use among species due to minimal variation between end‐members. Incorporating sulfur stable isotopes (δ 34 S) can enhance resolution in such cases. Using an Arctic coastal food web as a model system, we used a three‐dimensional isotopic niche approach (3D: δ 13 C–δ 15 N–δ 34 S) with 664 individuals across 49 species spanning multiple taxonomic groups (invertebrates, fish, seabirds, and marine mammals) that utilize resources from benthic and pelagic habitats. We compared the traditional 2D isotopic niches with a 3D framework using nicheROVER to assess how the addition of a third dimension changes niche size estimates and probability of niche overlap between species. We found that several benthic‐associated species, including the common eider ( Somateria mollissima ) and various benthic invertebrates, tended to show greater changes in isotopic niche size with the addition of δ 34 S than pelagic‐associated species. In addition, niche overlap among benthic‐associated taxa generally decreased with the 3D approach, suggesting better resolution of habitat use and resource partitioning. This reflects the greater ecological diversity, foraging specialization, and more complex food web structure characteristic of benthic than pelagic ecosystems. We recommend incorporating δ 34 S for aquatic studies that involve benthic habitats and emphasize the value of multidimensional approaches to increase the resolution of ecological niche analysis.

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