A mass-balanced ecosystem model for the Kerguelen Plateau

• Main Authors: Subramaniam, RS, Pinkerton, MH, Melbourne-Thomas, J, Corney, SP, Swadling, KM, Pruvost, P
• Other Authors: Welsford, D, Dell, J, Duhamel, G
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: Australian Antarctic Division 2019
• Subjects: Kerguelen Plateau; Ecopath; ecosystem model; food web; fishing; Antarctic; Kerguelen; Antarc*
• Online Access: https://eprints.utas.edu.au/31683/; https://eprints.utas.edu.au/31683/1/134699%20-%20A%20mass-balanced%20ecosystem%20model%20for%20the%20Kerguelen%20Plateau.pdf; http://heardisland.antarctica.gov.au/research/kerguelen-plateau-symposium/the-kerguelen-plateau-marine-ecosystems-and-fisheries

Ecosystem models are useful tools for making informed management decisions regardingthe potential effects of environmental change and fishing activity on Southern Oceanecosystems. Recent work has successfully updated an existing Ecopath model for theKerguelen exclusive economic zone from an unbalanced to a balanced model state (whereenergy inputs equal outputs). This balanced model details food-web dynamics in theKerguelen Island region using species biomass and diet information. In this paper wepresent this balanced model as well as an evaluation of food-web structure and functionusing tools found in Ecopath. Energy flows in the model suggest that the Kerguelen Islandfood web is smaller and more mature than other sub-Antarctic food webs and the impactsof direct and indirect interactions on functional groups highlighted the importance ofcephalopods in the food web. This model is currently undergoing an expansion to includethe entire northern region of the Kerguelen Plateau.