Effects of Altered Offshore Food Webs on Coastal Ecosystems Emphasize the Need for Cross-Ecosystem Management

Eriksson, Britas Klemens; Sieben, Katrin; Eklöf, Johan; Ljunggren, Lars; Olsson, Jens; Casini, Michèle; Bergström, Ulf

doi:10.1007/s13280-011-0158-0

Cited by 113 publications

(161 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…In most vegetated coastal ecosystems, algal-feeding mesograzers play a key role in controlling ephemeral algae biomass, thereby facilitating habitat-forming perennial macrovegetation, such as the eelgrass Z. marina (39,40). Suppression or removal of mesograzers, for example, by trophic cascades induced by overfishing of large predators, can flip these ecosystems to bottom-up stimulation (11,12,39,40). We observed this same pattern; mesograzers affected the balance between bottom-up and top-down regulation by (i) feeding on epiphytic and floating macroalgae, leading to increased light penetration; and (ii) preying upon smaller sediment-associated fauna that in turn fed on the benthic microalgae.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consumers mediate the effects of experimental ocean acidification and warming on primary producers

Alsterberg

Eklöf

Gamfeldt

et al. 2013

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

147

132

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It is well known that ocean acidification can have profound impacts on marine organisms. However, we know little about the direct and indirect effects of ocean acidification and also how these effects interact with other features of environmental change such as warming and declining consumer pressure. In this study, we tested whether the presence of consumers (invertebrate mesograzers) influenced the interactive effects of ocean acidification and warming on benthic microalgae in a seagrass community mesocosm experiment. Net effects of acidification and warming on benthic microalgal biomass and production, as assessed by analysis of variance, were relatively weak regardless of grazer presence. However, partitioning these net effects into direct and indirect effects using structural equation modeling revealed several strong relationships. In the absence of grazers, benthic microalgae were negatively and indirectly affected by sediment-associated microalgal grazers and macroalgal shading, but directly and positively affected by acidification and warming. Combining indirect and direct effects yielded no or weak net effects. In the presence of grazers, almost all direct and indirect climate effects were nonsignificant. Our analyses highlight that (i) indirect effects of climate change may be at least as strong as direct effects, (ii) grazers are crucial in mediating these effects, and (iii) effects of ocean acidification may be apparent only through indirect effects and in combination with other variables (e. g., warming). These findings highlight the importance of experimental designs and statistical analyses that allow us to separate and quantify the direct and indirect effects of multiple climate variables on natural communities.food web | global warming | herbivory | species interaction | top-down

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consumers mediate the effects of experimental ocean acidification and warming on primary producers

Alsterberg

Eklöf

Gamfeldt

et al. 2013

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

147

132

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“…The relationships for these species were non-linear and indicated that habitat availability becomes particularly important in areas where availability is low, such as in outer archipelago areas. In the long term, even relatively small local losses may have negative effects on populations, impacting both ecosystem functioning and the sustainability of fisheries (Eriksson et al 2011). Although it is difficult to assess the potential impact of a single development project, it is important for managers both to know the shoreline development status and trends in their area to appreciate the potential cumulative effects of constructions on fish reproduction and overall biodiversity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such a feedback could be generated by shoreline constructions by reducing vegetation cover (Sandström et al 2005), leading to a lower quality of the reproduction habitats needed to maintain population sizes . Consequently, as the abundance of large predatory fish is reduced, so is the top-down control of epiphytic algae (Eriksson et al 2011), which, if abundant, potentially further reduce the quality of the reproduction habitat by limiting vegetation cover, leading to a negative spiral.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shoreline development and degradation of coastal fish reproduction habitats

Sundblad

Bergström

2014

AMBIO

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Coastal development has severely affected habitats and biodiversity during the last century, but quantitative estimates of the impacts are usually lacking. We utilize predictive habitat modeling and mapping of human pressures to estimate the cumulative long-term effects of coastal development in relation to fish habitats. Based on aerial photographs since the 1960s, shoreline development rates were estimated in the Stockholm archipelago in the Baltic Sea. By combining shoreline development rates with spatial predictions of fish reproduction habitats, we estimated annual habitat degradation rates for three of the most common coastal fish species, northern pike (Esox lucius), Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) and roach (Rutilus rutilus). The results showed that shoreline constructions were concentrated to the reproduction habitats of these species. The estimated degradation rates, where a degraded habitat was defined as having C3 constructions per 100 m shoreline, were on average 0.5 % of available habitats per year and about 1 % in areas close to larger population centers. Approximately 40 % of available habitats were already degraded in 2005. These results provide an example of how many small construction projects over time may have a vast impact on coastal fish populations.

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“…In areas where populations of coastal predatory fish such as perch (Perca fluviatilis) and pike (Esox lucius) are weak, mesopredatory fish, such as the three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), are present in high numbers (Eriksson et al 2009, Byström et al 2015. These mesopredators can have substantial impacts on the community of invertebrate grazers, reducing their numbers and hence the grazing pressure on algae, ultimately leading to eutrophication symptoms and habitat changes with blooms of ephemeral filamentous algae (Korpinen and Jormalainen 2007, Baden et al 2010, Sieben et al 2011, Östman et al 2016. Sticklebacks may also affect the egg and larval stages of many species of predatory fish negatively, further emphasizing this problem Byström et al 2015).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…the USA and Canada. In these countries, management of EFH is regulated by legal acts.Healthy vegetated habitats are needed for the reproduction of many coastal fishes (Rangeley and Kramer 1995, Stål et al 2007, Snickars et al 2010, Seitz et al 2014, while strong populations of predatory fish may support habitat-forming vegetation through maintaining trophic cascades (Norderhaug et al 2005, Moksnes et al 2008, Newcombe and Taylor 2010, Eriksson et al 2011, Svensson et al 2012. To increase the awareness of the benefits of integrating management of fisheries and habitat, the scientific community could contribute in many ways.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Essential fish habitats (EFH)

Kraufvelin¹,

Pekcan‐Hekim²,

Bergström³

et al. 2016

TemaNord

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Essential fish habitats (EFH)Conclusions from a workshop on the importance, mapping, monitoring, threats and conservation of coastal EFH in the Baltic Sea Patrik Kraufvelin, Ulf Bergström, Annukka Lehikoinen, This publication has been published with financial support by the Nordic Council of Ministers. However, the contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views, policies or recommendations of the Nordic Council of Ministers. www.norden.org/nordpubNordic co-operation Nordic co-operation is one of the world's most extensive forms of regional collaboration, involving Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland.Nordic co-operation has firm traditions in politics, the economy, and culture. It plays an important role in European and international collaboration, and aims at creating a strong Nordic community in a strong Europe.Nordic co-operation seeks to safeguard Nordic and regional interests and principles in the global community. Common Nordic values help the region solidify its position as one of the world's most innovative and competitive. Nordic Council of Ministers PrefaceMany coastal and offshore fish species in the Baltic Sea are strongly dependent on shallow and sheltered near-shore habitats for their spawning, nursery, feeding and migration. Still, the role of these essential fish habitats, EFH, for the development and support of fish stocks and communities has received relatively little attention. As EFH in the Baltic often are found in the same parts of the coastal zone that are highly utilized and valued by humans, they are subjected to many threats and therefore management needs are urgent. In addition, EFH provide and support important ecosystem services and are included in national and international agreements and legislative acts as the Baltic Sea Action Plan, Habitats Directive and Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Despite this, the conservation status of EFH is generally poor in the region. As a result of these shortcomings and needs, the Nordic Council of Ministers financed a project including a workshop with Baltic Sea experts with the aim to review the importance of, protection of and threats to coastal EFH in the Baltic Sea. This report describes the results of the project, primarily focusing on the outcome of the workshop. SummaryMany fish species in the Baltic Sea are highly dependent on shallow and sheltered coastal habitats that they use for spawning, nursery, feeding and migration. Still, the role of these essential fish habitats (EFH) for the development and support of fish stocks and communities has received relatively little attention, even though there is general consensus among scientists about their critical importance. Little is also known about the major threats to EFH, and their conservation status in different countries has previously not been reviewed. As EFH often are found in the same parts of the coastal zone that are also highly valued by humans, this gap in knowledge needs to be addressed. Hence, there is an...

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Effects of Altered Offshore Food Webs on Coastal Ecosystems Emphasize the Need for Cross-Ecosystem Management

Cited by 113 publications

References 43 publications

Consumers mediate the effects of experimental ocean acidification and warming on primary producers

Consumers mediate the effects of experimental ocean acidification and warming on primary producers

Shoreline development and degradation of coastal fish reproduction habitats

Essential fish habitats (EFH)

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