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Exploring ecosystem structure and function of the northern Kerguelen Plateau using a mass-balanced food web model

Citation

Subramaniam, RC and Corney, SP and Swadling, KM and Melbourne-Thomas, J, Exploring ecosystem structure and function of the northern Kerguelen Plateau using a mass-balanced food web model, Deep-Sea Research: Part II, 174 Article 104787. ISSN 0967-0645 (2020) [Refereed Article]

Copyright Statement

© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DOI: doi:10.1016/j.dsr2.2020.104787

Abstract

Annual phytoplankton blooms on the northern region of the Kerguelen Plateau fuel a productive food web that supports highly valuable commercial fisheries for Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) and mackerel icefish (Champsocephalus gunnari). The food web on the plateau is understudied in comparison to other regions of the Southern Ocean. Major linkages and energy pathways have not been explored, and the combined effects of fishing and a changing climate on the ecosystem are largely unknown. Single species studies on the plateau have shown that the combined effects of climate change and fisheries are impacting populations, however, it is unclear how these impacts translate to the ecosystem. We extended an existing Ecopath model to describe food web dynamics on the plateau and investigate food web interactions with the fishery. Results from our model highlight, for the first time, the properties of the food web, major energy pathways and energy transfers between trophic levels. Energy transfer from detritus was most efficient at the lowest trophic level while energy from primary production was more efficient at higher trophic levels. Consumption and respiration were high in our system, most likely due to the inclusion of bacteria and microzooplankton. Killer whales, cephalopods and myctophids were key functional groups for energy transfer in the system. These groups were relatively data poor, suggesting a useful focus area for future updates to the model. Patagonian toothfish and mackerel icefish were heavily consumed in the food web, however, the inclusion of fisheries catches and by-catch had little to no impact on food web dynamics.

Item Details

Item Type:Refereed Article
Keywords:ecopath, Kerguelen Plateau, food web interactions, energy transfer, fishery
Research Division:Environmental Sciences
Research Group:Ecological applications
Research Field:Ecosystem function
Objective Division:Animal Production and Animal Primary Products
Objective Group:Fisheries - wild caught
Objective Field:Wild caught fin fish (excl. tuna)
UTAS Author:Subramaniam, RC (Miss Roshni Subramaniam)
UTAS Author:Corney, SP (Dr Stuart Corney)
UTAS Author:Swadling, KM (Associate Professor Kerrie Swadling)
ID Code:138867
Year Published:2020
Web of Science® Times Cited:9
Deposited By:Oceans and Cryosphere
Deposited On:2020-05-05
Last Modified:2022-04-11
Downloads:0

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