Best practice in Ecopath with Ecosim food-web models for ecosystem-based management

Heymans, Johanna J.; Coll, Marta; Link, Jason S.; Mackinson, Steven; Steenbeek, Jeroen; Walters, Carl J.; Christensen, Villy

doi:10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2015.12.007

Cited by 418 publications

(332 citation statements)

References 62 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

324

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Ecopath can be fitted for time series with Ecosim (EwE) (Gotelli and Entsminger, 2004) and also account for spatial differentiation of habitat with Ecospace (Opschoor, 1995). While Ecopath is a popular method, few studies using this model in marine research include time series and spatial data, and even fewer are applied to coral reef ecosystems (Heymans et al, 2016).…”

Section: Ecological Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Critics of food web models for coral reefs highlight that any model will be a simplified version of real-time processes and caution should be taken when using them to inform management. Although management is mentioned in 98 percent of reviewed publications ( Table 2), few articles using Ecopath in marine environments have been used for management purposes (Heymans et al, 2016). To better inform management, research is needed on spatiotemporal variability to better fit models.…”

Section: Ecological Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Of the reviewed studies, habitat was referenced in 89 percent of Ecopath studies focused on coral reefs (Table 2), but many were not specific to a single area and assumed homogenous habitat across regional scales. Testing underlying assumptions is critical when employing predator-prey models (Heymans et al, 2016), and understanding interactions at an appropriate spatial scale will assist in increasing the efficacy of these models.…”

Section: Ecological Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While there are multiple dynamic food web models available, Ecopath (Polovina, 1984) is the most commonly used for marine and aquatic study (Heymans et al, 2016) and has been applied to coral reefs. Under the assumption of energy equilibrium, Ecopath uses mass balance equations to determine trophic relationships of biomass and productivity (Polovina, 1984).…”

Section: Ecological Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Physical and biological factors change over space and time in reef ecosystems (Sale, 2002). Therefore, even if trophic interactions have been welldescribed for a species and reef system in one location, the key processes that regulate ecosystem dynamics can be missed if the system is not observed over appropriate temporal (Scheffer et al, 2008) or spatial scales (Heymans et al, 2016). While quantitative analytical techniques have improved, complexity of trophic variability within populations, tissue turnover rates, and limited understanding of source pools (e.g., benthic vs. pelagic sources) can significantly affect interpretation of results (Layman, 2007;Layman et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Trophodynamics as a Tool for Understanding Coral Reef Ecosystems

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The increased frequency of publications concerning trophic ecology of coral reefs suggests a degree of interest in the role species and functional groups play in energy flow within these systems. Coral reef ecosystems are particularly complex, however, and assignment of trophic positions requires precise knowledge of mechanisms driving food webs and population dynamics. Competent analytical tools and empirical analysis are integral to defining ecosystem processes and avoiding misinterpretation of results. Here we examine the contribution of trophodynamics to informing ecological roles and understanding of coral reef ecology. Applied trophic studies of coral reefs were used to identify recent trends in methodology and analysis. Although research is increasing, clear definitions and scaling of studies is lacking. Trophodynamic studies will require more precise spatial and temporal data collection and analysis using multiple methods to fully explore the complex interactions within coral reef ecosystems.

show abstract

Section: Ecological Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ecological Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ecological Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ecological Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Trophodynamics as a Tool for Understanding Coral Reef Ecosystems

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Determining keystone species complexes and macroscopic properties for improving ecosystem‐based conservation practices in coral reefs along the western Caribbean Sea (Mexico and Honduras)

Hermosillo‐Núñez

Ortiz

Rodríguez‐Zaragoza

2019

Aquatic Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Coral ecosystems have been subjected to disturbances caused by humans that threaten their health and alter their structure and functioning. Trophic models were constructed in three coral reef ecosystems along the western Caribbean Sea (Mexico and Honduras) to evaluate the structure, organization, health, and species and functional groups that play keystone roles in these ecosystems. The quantification of the macroscopic properties showed that Media Luna Reef (Honduras) is a more mature, developed, organized, and healthy ecosystem but, in turn, is less resistant to perturbations. The outcomes showed that the ecological systems with reduced human disturbances were more mature and healthy. Likewise, the keystone species complexes contributed considerably to the maturity, development, and health of such coral ecosystems. Several exploited species were integrated into the keystone species complexes, which also would increase resistance against perturbations. These findings suggest that current fisheries management strategies could be improved within a network context to achieve the sustainable usage of resources and to include management programmes to conserve the current conditions of Media Luna Reef.

show abstract

The effects of marine protected areas on ecosystem recovery and fisheries using a comparative modelling approach

Vilas

Coll

Corrales

et al. 2020

Aquatic Conservation

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

1. The overexploitation of many marine resources and ecosystems calls for the development and implementation of measures to support their recovery and conservation. 2. The potential contributions to support fisheries and ecosystem recovery were assessed at the local level of the three multiple-use marine protected areas (MPAs) of Cerbère-Banyuls, Medes Islands, and Cap de Creus, located in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. 3. For each MPA, a food-web model accounting for each protection level (PL) was developed: the fully protected area (FPA), the partially protected area (PPA) and the unprotected area (UPA) surrounding the MPA. Using the resulting nine foodweb models, the ecosystem structure and functioning of each PL were compared and characterized, differences and similarities within and among the three MPAs were assessed, and ecosystem response to full protection was evaluated for the three MPAs. 4. Differences in terms of ecosystem structure and functioning were found among PLs. Overall, FPAs presented the most positive effect of protection in terms of

show abstract

Best practice in Ecopath with Ecosim food-web models for ecosystem-based management

Cited by 418 publications

References 62 publications

Trophodynamics as a Tool for Understanding Coral Reef Ecosystems

Trophodynamics as a Tool for Understanding Coral Reef Ecosystems

Determining keystone species complexes and macroscopic properties for improving ecosystem‐based conservation practices in coral reefs along the western Caribbean Sea (Mexico and Honduras)

The effects of marine protected areas on ecosystem recovery and fisheries using a comparative modelling approach

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About