Plastic webs, the new food: Dynamics of microplastics in a Mediterranean food web, key species as pollution sources and receptors

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 918, P. 170719 - 170719

Published: Feb. 6, 2024

In the context of global environmental change, this study presents a novel approach to evaluating microplastic (MP) fluxes and probabilities pollution within marine food webs. A topological model was built understand dynamics MP in Mediterranean The analysis involves two approaches: first includes centrality measures key role species transmission trophic effects regarding MPs, second incorporates data by developing Interaction Pollution Indices (IPIs) at multiple levels identify being sources receptors new concept plastic-food web. network consisted 356 nodes representing not only species, but also aggregations higher taxa, for total 3517 interactions, with 108 having information on frequency occurrence (FO). mean probability dietary transference 0.087 %, maximum 18 %. Species such as rose shrimp A. antennatus, catshark S. canicula, sole solea, sardine pilchardus, Norway lobster N. norvegicus, forkbeard P. phycis were found be significant played crucial roles network. By incorporating IPIs, deeper understanding gained, highlighting value combining feeding develop effective management conservation strategies. application IPIs holds immense potential studying bioaccumulation biomagnification through pollutant transferences ecosystems. Its flexibility different types units enables its transversal throughout field ecology. This research provides step towards tools mitigation strategies preservation ecosystems integrity.

Language: Английский

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Gap Analysis on the Biology of Marine Fishes Across European Seas

Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 22

Published: Jan. 7, 2025

This review evaluates the current knowledge of essential biological traits (diet, fecundity, maturity, length-weight relationships, spawning, growth, lifespan, and natural mortality) marine fishes across European adjacent waters. These are crucial for ecosystem modeling stock assessments. Using data from FishBase, largest most comprehensive database on fishes, a gap analysis was performed to identify areas research focus corresponding gaps that require further study. Biological coverage is strong in Baltic North Seas but moderate Adriatic, Aegean, Biscay, Celtic, Levantine, western Mediterranean Seas. Well-documented species include conger (Conger conger), thornback ray (Raja clavata), transparent goby (Aphia minuta) which reported all areas. The narrowest concern followed by spawning while mortality fecundity least studied characteristics. Regional variations exist, particularly protected species. Future should filling addressing overlooked (bycatch discarded species) such as with special attention vulnerable groups like sharks rays. Expanding will reduce uncertainties assessments improve models, two widely used tools sustainable fisheries management conservation.

Language: Английский

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Evaluating the Structure and Function of the Dishui Lake Ecosystem Using the Ecopath Model: Insights for Sustainable Management

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

This study evaluates the ecological status of Dishui Lake ecosystem and provides recommendations for sustainable management through scientific stocking. Using field survey data, an Ecopath model comprising 15 functional groups was developed to assess ecosystem's structure, energy flow, trophic dynamics. Additionally, carrying capacity Hypophthalmichthys molitrix Aristichthys nobilis estimated. The structure analyzed using two complementary approaches: stable isotope analysis (SIA). food web characterized by four primary aggregated levels (TLs), with culters occupying highest TL 3.50. H. A. estimated at 22.01 t/km2, representing a 33.50% increase from current stock level. An annual release 36.7 tons these planktivorous species is recommended optimize balance. A strong correlation (R2 = 0.88) between TLs derived SIA those validated reliability model's input parameters. findings suggest that immature in its developmental stage, highlighting need structural optimization improve transfer efficiency. These insights provide theoretical foundation practical guidance conservation Lake.

Language: Английский

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An evaluation of vulnerability settings in Ecopath with Ecosim on ecosystem hindcast and forecast skills

Ecological Informatics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 103040 - 103040

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Spatial Variation in Food Web Structures, Energy Flows, and System Attributes Along the Pearl River and Their Indications of Protection and Restoration

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT River ecosystems are facing significant degradation from human activities, which impact both biotic (e.g., fish and invertebrates) abiotic components water habitat). A comprehensive comparison of energy flow patterns system attributes among river food webs under different levels interference is highly important for developing management strategies to protect ecosystems. Along the subtropical Pearl River, six spatial zones, including agricultural, industrial, island, urban, factory, estuarine areas, were chosen construct Ecopath models. The output results revealed that highest trophic level was 3.8–4.2, occupied by softshell turtles piscivorous/carnivorous fish. most diverse functional groups found in island zones due their heterogeneous habitats high submerged vegetation coverage transition area between fresh brackish water). In contrast, web structure industrial zone destroyed pollution sewage discharge) habitat degradation. increase exotic species decrease native top predators two factors result low efficiency transmission. series Lindeman transfer mixed predator–prey impacts), structural keystoneness, omnivory, Finn's path length), theoretical connectance ascendency) indices health maturity sections can be ranked as > agricultural urban factory zones. chains led ( Pelodiscus sinensis ), piscivores Elopichthys bambusa molluscivores Mylopharyngodon piceus herbivores Ctenopharyngodon idelus ) could used indicate functioning Our suggest ecological should focus more efforts on protecting original with feeding/spawning grounds), monitoring bioindicators keystone impacts web, evaluating play roles upward

Language: Английский

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Sea‐Ice Retreat From the Northeast Greenland Continental Shelf Triggers a Marine Trophic Cascade

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 31(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Climate change is causing sea‐ice to retreat from Arctic ecosystems. Loss of ice impacts the ecosystem in many ways, reducing habitat area for specialist species like polar bears, releasing freshwater and nutrients, increasing light penetration into water column. To explore interaction these effects, we implemented a Northeast Greenland continental shelf parameterisation end‐to‐end model StrathE2E. We used output NEMO‐MEDUSA ocean‐biogeochemistry under Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 as driving data, which suggests northeast will become seasonally ice‐free by 2050. simulated half century climate running system set steady states each decade 2010s 2050s. Our simulations show boosts productivity marine food web. Total living mass increases over 25%, with proportionally larger higher trophic levels. The exception this 66% reduction maritime mammal mass. Additional network indices reveal that becomes more mature, future diets specialized lengthening provides long‐term strategic insight management shelf, allowing quantitative evaluation conservation goals scale prospective fisheries. results present mixed picture Arctic, growing populations fish charismatic megafauna cetaceans accompanied loss endemic biodiversity such bears.

Language: Английский

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A systematic review on the use of food web models for addressing the social and economic consequences of fisheries policies and environmental change

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Dec. 20, 2024

Fisheries are complex systems. Food web models increasingly being used to study the ecological consequences of fisheries policies and environmental change on such systems around world. Nonetheless, these extend well into social, economic, cultural, political domains The main goal this contribution is characterize how food socioeconomic management actions change. We conducted a systematic literature review covering research published between January 2010 July 2023. Only 47 papers (out an initial pool 506 publications) met our criteria. Based this, it evident that body has been increasing slowly at constant rate – condition not shared with other emerging fields. Modeled were mostly marine (87%), waters 38 countries across 19 Large Marine Ecosystems; albeit in Global North. components reviewed (e.g., functional groups) represented much finer scale than their counterparts. Most developed using Ecopath Ecosim (68%) or Atlantis (21%) modeling software suites. Four key foci identified selected literature. These shaped methodological approaches followed, as models’ capabilities, simulation drivers, way webs integrated bioeconomic models, performance metrics they reported. less half captured social concerns, only one-third addressed trade-offs among objectives, handful explicitly uncertainty. implications findings discussed detail respect resource managers needs for ecosystem-based management. Our collective understanding interlinkages biophysical aquatic still limited. hope seen call action community rises challenge embracing interdisciplinarity bridge existing knowledge silos improve ability model all components.

Language: Английский

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Scientific knowledge gaps on the biology of non-fish marine species across European Seas

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10

Published: Oct. 3, 2023

Available information and potential data gaps for non-fish marine organisms (cnidarians, crustaceans, echinoderms, molluscs, sponges, mammals, reptiles, seabirds) covered by the global database SeaLifeBase were reviewed eight ecosystems (Adriatic Sea, Aegean Baltic Bay of Biscay/Celtic Sea/Iberian Coast , Black North western Mediterranean Levantine Sea) across European Seas. The review dataset, which is based on published literature, analyzed coverage biological characteristics (diet, fecundity, maturity, length-weight relationships, spawning, growth, lifespan, natural mortality). These are required development ecosystem ecological models to evaluate status resources related fisheries. Our analyses revealed that regarding these in literature was far from complete all studied areas. level available nonetheless reasonably good sea turtles moderate mammals some areas (Baltic Sea Sea). Further, seven have well-studied species terms commercial whereas threatened generally not well studied. Across areas, most cephalopod common cuttlefish ( Sepia officinalis) crustacean Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus ). Overall, gap narrowest relationships followed growth widest fecundity mortality. Based insights, we provide recommendations prioritize with insufficient or missing address deficiencies.

Language: Английский

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Trophic structure and fishing impacts on an oligotrophic ecosystem in the Western Mediterranean: the Balearic Islands

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10

Published: July 20, 2023

Within the context of ecosystem approach to fisheries management, an model was developed for Balearic Islands in early 2000s, covering from 0 800 m depth. The aim study describe structure and functioning together with fishing impacts. results show that biomass primary producers (PP), mainly dominated by Posidonia oceanica meadows red algae beds, represented a high percentage (39.20%) ecosystem. Most trophic flows occurred between PP (mostly benthic) level II. mixed impact analysis also highlighted positive functional groups (FGs) at base food web. Besides, there were important several demersal FGs, many pelagic compartment, confirming importance benthopelagic coupling previously reported. mean catch (mTLc=2.76) lower than those reported adjacent areas due discard benthic producers. By excluding PP, showed highest mTLc (3.44) among all Mediterranean modelled, probably differences structure, exploitation levels development purse seine fleet targeting small fishes. transfer efficiency (21.80%) double global average (10%), which highlights oligotrophy system, production has rates through web, more efficient use nutrients Sponges, one most invertebrates Archipelago, are known recycle dissolved organic matter, is reintroduced into web similar microbial loop, but magnitude this other processes remains still unknown area. present first step develop spatio-temporal simulations under different scenarios calculate ecological indicators assess state marine environment region.

Language: Английский

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Decadal changes in the Sea of Marmara indicate degraded ecosystem conditions and unsustainable fisheries

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Aug. 26, 2024

Globally, all marine ecosystems are under pressure by anthropogenic stressors. However, semi-enclosed seas at a greater risk of degradation due to their limited connectivity open seas. This leads accumulation pollutants and abrupt regime shifts triggered unsustainable exploitation living resources, as exhibit low degrees redundancy more frequent large-scale episodic events such harmful algal blooms. The Sea Marmara is region that has been subjected various stressors since the 1990s. Recently, local governmental authorities have employed basin-wide ecosystem management plans control manage point nonpoint (diffuse) sources pollutants. fisheries in relation dynamics food web attracted less attention from policymakers, even though one most significant pressures. In this study, we capitalized on previous static model revising extending it simulate changes between 1990 2020. We delineated temporal terms structure function using ecological indicators developed quantitative advice for its fisheries. results showed experienced three regimes 1990, with occurring onset 2000s mid 2010s. first exhibited high diversity material cycling, second was characterized increased impact fisheries, third culminated fished-down state. analysis fishery majority harvested species were overexploited. suggest implementation quotas exploited should be considered an immediate solution fish stocks can help restore conditions.

Language: Английский

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