Ecology of North Sea fish

Daan, N.; Bromley, P.J.; Hislop, J. R. G.; Nielsen, Niels Axel

doi:10.1016/0077-7579(90)90096-y

Cited by 260 publications

(192 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…The lesser sandeel Ammodytes marinus (hereinafter sandeel) is a key species in the ecology of the North Sea and other parts of the NE Atlantic (Daan et al 1990). It is generally the most abundant small planktivorous fish, and provides a critical trophic link between secondary producers (zooplankton, particularly calanoid copepods) and a wide variety of top predators, including larger fish, marine mammals and seabirds.…”

Section: Abstract: Ammodytes Marinus · Growth Model · Mcmc · North Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanisms of long-term decline in size of lesser sandeels in the North Sea explored using a growth and phenology model

Frederiksen¹,

Elston²,

Edwards³

et al. 2011

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The lesser sandeel Ammodytes marinus is a key species in the North Sea ecosystem, transferring energy from planktonic producers to top predators. Previous studies have shown a longterm decline in the size of 0-group sandeels in the western North Sea, but they were unable to pinpoint the mechanism (later hatching, slower growth or changes in size-dependent mortality) or cause. To investigate the first 2 possibilities we combined 2 independent time series of sandeel size, namely data from chick-feeding Atlantic puffins Fratercula arctica and from the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR), in a novel statistical model implemented using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). The model estimated annual mean length on 1 July, as well as hatching date and growth rate for sandeels from 1973 to 2006. Mean length-at-date declined by 22% over this period, corresponding to a 60% decrease in energy content, with a sharper decline since 2002. Up to the mid-1990s, the decline was associated with a trend towards later hatching. Subsequently, hatching became earlier again, and the continued trend towards smaller size appears to have been driven by lower growth rates, particularly in the most recent years, although we could not rule out changes in size-dependent mortality. Our findings point to major changes in key aspects of sandeel life history, which we consider are most likely due to direct and indirect temperature-related changes over a range of biotic factors, including the seasonal distribution of copepods and intra-and inter-specific competition with planktivorous fish. The results have implications both for the many predators of sandeels and for age and size of maturation in this aggregation of North Sea sandeels. KEY WORDS: Ammodytes marinus · Growth model · MCMC · North Sea · Phenology · SandeelResale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisher Mar Ecol Prog Ser 432: 137-147, 2011 138 dynamics and to impact higher trophic levels, and indeed have already been linked with fluctuations in both commercially exploited fish stocks , Castonguay et al. 2008 and reproductive performance of land-based predators (Frederiksen et al. 2006, Sydeman et al. 2006.The lesser sandeel Ammodytes marinus (hereinafter sandeel) is a key species in the ecology of the North Sea and other parts of the NE Atlantic (Daan et al. 1990). It is generally the most abundant small planktivorous fish, and provides a critical trophic link between secondary producers (zooplankton, particularly calanoid copepods) and a wide variety of top predators, including larger fish, marine mammals and seabirds. Several studies have highlighted the critical importance of the availability and quality of sandeels for successful reproduction of North Sea seabirds (Monaghan 1992, Rindorf et al. 2000, Wanless et al. 2005. Sandeels are also the target of a major industrial fishery for fishmeal and fish oil (Furness 2002). However, evidence from several sources has indicated that conditions for sandeels in the North Sea are less favourable than...

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Section: Abstract: Ammodytes Marinus · Growth Model · Mcmc · North Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanisms of long-term decline in size of lesser sandeels in the North Sea explored using a growth and phenology model

Frederiksen¹,

Elston²,

Edwards³

et al. 2011

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…In addition, the spatial distribution of all labeled-Ra(λ) classes followed known patterns relating to physical and hydrological conditions in the North Sea during the year that drive the phytoplankton distribution (Reid et al, 1990). In fact, four ecological regions have been commonly recorded based on phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish studies in the North Sea (Daan et al, 1990;Reid et al, 1990;Fransz et al, 1991;Beaugrand et al, 2001). The Flamborough Front is a transitional region between the north of the front seasonally stratified and the south of the front (well-mixed area) (Otto et al, 1990;Ducrotoy et al, 2000).…”

Section: Spatio-temporal Distribution Of Labeled-ra(λ)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimation of the Potential Detection of Diatom Assemblages Based on Ocean Color Radiance Anomalies in the North Sea

et al. 2017

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Over the past years, a large number of new approaches in the domain of ocean-color have been developed, leading to a variety of innovative descriptors for phytoplankton communities. One of these methods, named PHYSAT, currently allows for the qualitative detection of five main phytoplankton groups from ocean-color measurements. Even though PHYSAT products are widely used in various applications and projects, the approach is limited by the fact it identifies only dominant phytoplankton groups. This current limitation is due to the use of biomarker pigment ratios for establishing empirical relationships between in-situ information and specific ocean-color radiance anomalies in open ocean waters. However, theoretical explanations of PHYSAT suggests that it could be possible to detect more than dominance cases but move more toward phytoplanktonic assemblage detection. Thus, to evaluate the potential of PHYSAT for the detection of phytoplankton assemblages, we took advantage of the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) survey, collected in both the English Channel and the North Sea. The available CPR dataset contains information on diatom abundance in two large areas of the North Sea for the period 1998-2010. Using this unique dataset, recurrent diatom assemblages were retrieved based on classification of CPR samples. Six diatom assemblages were identified in-situ, each having indicators taxa or species. Once this first step was completed, the in-situ analysis was used to empirically associate the diatom assemblages with specific PHYSAT spectral anomalies. This step was facilitated by the use of previous classifications of regional radiance anomalies in terms of shape and amplitude, coupled with phenological tools. Through a matchup exercise, three CPR assemblages were associated with specific radiance anomalies. The maps of detection of these specific radiances anomalies are in close agreement with current in-situ ecological knowledge.

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“…First spatial investigations of benthic infauna communities were carried out by Petersen (1914) in Danish waters, while first studies on spatial patterns of benthic epifauna were conducted by Dyer et al (1982Dyer et al ( , 1983 resulting from the analysis of fisheries' bycatch. Daan et al (1990) highlighted the importance to analyse fish communities instead of single commercial species to understand how the North Sea ecosystem functions. Since the beginning of such investigations, effort increased to analyse spatial community structure of fish (Greenstreet and Hall 1996;Ehrich et al 2009), benthic infauna (Duineveld et al 1991;Heip et al 1992;Künitzer et al 1992;Kröncke et al 2011) and benthic epifauna (Frauenheim et al 1989;Jennings et al 1999;Zühlke et al 2001) on a North Sea wide scale.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Benthos and demersal fish habitats in the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the North Sea

et al. 2012

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We compiled data from different monitoring surveys to analyse and compare community and diversity patterns of fish, epi-and infauna in the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the North Sea in order to identify benthic habitats common to all faunal components. We found congruent community patterns of fish, epi-and infauna for the coastal waters, the Oysterground and the area called ''Duck's Bill'', which coincided with specific abiotic characteristics of these regions. The three regions were defined as special habitats for fish, epi-and infauna species in the German EEZ. The differences in the seasonal variability of abiotic factors seem to be the most important discriminating abiotic characteristic for the three habitats. The spatial distribution of fish, epifauna and infauna communities remained stable over time although habitat characteristics such as sea surface temperature increased due to climate change. However, it is expected that the coastal habitat will be more sensitive to future climate change effects in contrast to the Oysterground and Duck's Bill habitat.

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Ecology of North Sea fish

Cited by 260 publications

References 30 publications

Mechanisms of long-term decline in size of lesser sandeels in the North Sea explored using a growth and phenology model

Mechanisms of long-term decline in size of lesser sandeels in the North Sea explored using a growth and phenology model

Estimation of the Potential Detection of Diatom Assemblages Based on Ocean Color Radiance Anomalies in the North Sea

Benthos and demersal fish habitats in the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the North Sea

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