Combining quantitative and qualitative models to identify functional groups for monitoring changes in the Bay of Biscay continental shelf exploited foodweb

• Published in: ICES Journal of Marine Science
• Main Authors: Lassalle, Géraldine, Nelva Pasqual, J.-S., Boët, Philippe, Rochet, M.-J., Trenkel, V.M., Niquil, N.
• Other Authors: Ecosystèmes aquatiques et changements globaux (UR EABX), Institut national de recherche en sciences et technologies pour l'environnement et l'agriculture (IRSTEA), Ecosystèmes estuariens et poissons migrateurs amphihalins (UR EPBX), Centre national du machinisme agricole, du génie rural, des eaux et forêts (CEMAGREF), Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques (BOREA), Université de Caen Normandie (UNICAEN), Normandie Université (NU)-Normandie Université (NU)-Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN)-Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)-Sorbonne Université (SU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université des Antilles (UA), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Normandie Université (NU)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2014
• Subjects: Atlantic Ocean (Northeast); community response; comparative studies; ecosystem dynamics; environmental disturbance; foodweb; loop analysis; management practice; Northeast Atlantic continental shelf; quantitative analysis; primary production; qualitative analysis; continental shelf; demersal fish; Atlantic Ocean; Bay of Biscay; food web; bioindicator; ecosystem management; ecosystem structure; ecosystem approach; comparative study; functional group; pelagic fish; [SDV.EE.ECO]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Ecology; environment/Ecosystems; [SDE.BE]Environmental Sciences/Biodiversity and Ecology; [SDE.ES]Environmental Sciences/Environmental and Society; Northeast Atlantic
• Online Access: https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02454843; https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fst107

To develop and implement ecosystem-based management, it is critical to monitor foodweb components or functional groups which are robust to uncertainty in ecosystem structure and functioning yet sensitive to changes. To select such functional groups for the Bay of Biscay continental shelf, both quantitative and qualitative foodweb models were developed. First, functional groups for which predictions of directions of change following an increase in primary productivity, prey or predators, or in fishing activities were identical across alternative qualitative model structures were identified. Second, the robustness to model type was assessed by comparing qualitative predictions with quantitative Ecopath model results. The demersal fish community was identified as a sensitive and robust indicator for monitoring foodweb ecological status in the Bay of Biscay. The present study also suggested the potential antagonistic effects of alternative management measures on small pelagic fish and highlighted the need for the joint management of all pressures. © 2013 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.