Trophic models and short-term simulations for the coral reefs of Cayos Cochinos and Media Luna (Honduras): a comparative network analysis, ecosystem development, resilience, and fishery

Cáceres, Ignacio; Ortiz, Marco; Cupul-Magaña, Amílcar Leví; Rodríguez‐Zaragoza, Fabián Alejandro

doi:10.1007/s10750-015-2592-7

Cited by 19 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 53 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…They allow the evaluation of the energetic fluxes between biological compartments, the description of their functional roles and the assessment of the maturity of the ecosystem (Christensen and Pauly, 1993). This family of models may also simulate scenarios like overfishing (Cáceres et al, 2016;Wang et al, 2016) and have been used to evaluate the mechanisms that regulate the trophic controls of food webs (e.g., resource limitation, bottom-up and topdown controls) (Angelini et al, 2010;Ruiz et al, 2016). Ecopath mass-balance models are most commonly used to investigate marine trophic networks worldwide (Colléter et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trophic flow structure of a neotropical estuary in northeastern Brazil and the comparison of ecosystem model indicators of estuaries

Lira

Angelini

Loc’h

et al. 2018

Journal of Marine Systems

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We developed an Ecopath model in the Estuary of Sirinhaém River (SIR), a small-sized system surrounded by mangroves, subject to high impact, mainly by sugar cane industry and other farming industries in order to describe the food web structure and trophic interactions. In addition, we compared our findings with those of 20 available Ecopath estuarine models for tropical, subtropical and temperate regions, aiming to synthesize the knowledge on trophic dynamics and provide a comprehensive analysis of the structures and functioning of estuaries. Our model consisted of 25 compartments and its indicators were within the expected range for estuarine areas around the world. The average trophic transfer efficiency for the entire system was 11.8%, similar to the theoretical value of 10%. The Keystone Index and MTI (Mixed Trophic Impact) analysis indicated that the snook (Centropomus undecimalis and Centropomus parallelus) and jack (Caranx latus and Caranx hippos) are considered as key resources in the system, revealing its high impact in the food web. Both the species have a high ecological and commercial relevance, despite the unregulated fisheries. As result of the comparison of ecosystem model indicators in estuaries, differences in the ecosystem structure from the low latitude zones (tropical estuaries) to the high latitude zones (temperate system) were noticed. The structure of temperate and sub-tropical estuaries were based on high flows of detritus and export, while tropical systems have high biomass, respiration and consumption rates. Higher values of System Omnivory Index (SOI) and Overhead (SO) were observed in the tropical and subtropical estuaries, denoting a more complex food chain. Globally, none of the estuarine models were classified as fully mature ecosystems, although the tropical ecosystems were considered more mature than the subtropical and temperate ecosystems. This study is an important contribution to the trophic modeling of estuaries, Highlights ► Sirinhaém estuary, Northeast Brazil, is an immature and resilient ecosystem. ► The jack and, mainly, snook were key species in the Estuary of Sirinhaém River. ► Tropical estuaries were based in high biomass, respiration and consumption rates. ► The System Overhead Index was higher in tropical estuaries than in the other systems. ► TPP/TR was lower in tropical estuaries than in the other systems.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trophic flow structure of a neotropical estuary in northeastern Brazil and the comparison of ecosystem model indicators of estuaries

Lira

Angelini

Loc’h

et al. 2018

Journal of Marine Systems

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Ascendency and Overhead have been shown to be related to stability and maturity; v) Mean Length of Pathways, which corresponds to the average number of groups passed through by an inflow or outflow and increases with ecosystem maturity; vi) System Omnivory Index, which represents how feeding interactions are distributed in relation to trophic levels, providing a measure of the system complexity (Ulanowicz 1986, Christensen 1995. Ecopath and Ecosim models and these macro-descriptors have been widely used to compare and describe multiple ecosystems of different sizes, geographic locations and complexities (e.g., Monaco and Ulanowicz 1997, Guénette et al 2008, Ortiz 2008, Ortiz et al 2010, Cáceres et al 2016).…”

Section: Whole System Indicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While such an omission could decrease the realism of the constructed models, we consider that the most important trophic relationships and energy/matter flows within the compartments were incorporated into the models. Thus, this limitation should not prevent comparisons with other ecosystems that present similar limitations (see Arias- González et al 2004, Ortiz 2008, Ortiz et al 2010, Cáceres et al 2016.…”

Section: Selection Of Model Compartments Sampling Program and Data Smentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These have mostly described the structure of food webs, trophic functioning and possible effects of fishing (e.g., Polovina 1984, Ainsworth et al 2008, Weijerman et al 2013. Only Ainsworth et al (2008), Arias- , and Cáceres et al (2016) have assessed different fishing management scenarios from an EBFM perspective in coral reef systems. The objective of the present study was to build multispecies trophic models that consider relationships between species and/or functional groups in five different reef areas (subsystems) at Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Trophic models and short-term dynamic simulations for benthic-pelagic communities at Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve (Mexican Caribbean): a conservation case

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Banco Chinchorro is the largest reef in the Mexican Caribbean. Historically, spiny lobster, queen conch and over 20 other reef species have been exploited here. Multispecies intervention management from an ecosystem perspective has been developed in this area; however, an assessment of the effects of such practices on ecosystem health is required. Five quantitative trophic models were constructed using Ecopath with Ecosim. The results show that, in terms of biomass, benthic autotrophs are the dominant group in all communities. Ecosystem Network Analysis indices showed that Cueva de Tiburones was the most mature, developed, complex and healthy subsystem, but, El Colorado and La Baliza were the subsystems most resistant to disturbances. The fisheries mainly concentrate on primary (La Baliza and Cueva de Tiburones sites) and secondary consumers (La Caldera, Chancay, and El Colorado). The greatest propagation of direct and indirect effects, estimated by Mixed Trophic Impacts and Ecosim simulations, were generated by the benthic autotrophs, small benthic epifauna, benthic-pelagic carnivorous fish and benthic carnivorous fish, among others. In contrast, the System Recovery Time showed different patterns among subsystems, indicating several compartments that reduce resilience. Considering the structure, dynamics, trophic functioning and ecosystem health of Banco Chinchorro, its ecological heterogeneity highlights the need for the design of a specific (by subsystem) management strategy, particularly because different species or functional groups present greater sensitivity to human interventions in each community.

show abstract

“…Fish assemblages are one of the most important biological components within the coral reef ecosystem, since they constitute its most conspicuous motile component and tend to demonstrate specific associations with reef structures (Arias- González et al 2006, Méndez et al 2006. Fishes, as main consumers, exert a top-down control over the food webs within coral reefs and also play a key role in maintaining ecosystem resilience (Arias-González et al 2006, Aguilar-Medrano and Calderón-Aguilera 2015, Cáceres et al 2015.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coral reef fish assemblages at Clipperton Atoll (Eastern Tropical Pacific) and their relationship with coral cover

Ricart¹,

Rodríguez‐Zaragoza

González‐Salas

et al. 2016

Sci. Mar.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary: Clipperton Atoll, one of the most isolated coral reefs worldwide, is of great scientific interest due to its geomorphology and high levels of endemism. This study explored the reef fish assemblage structure of Clipperton Atoll and its relationship with live coral cover. Nine stations were sampled at three sites and three depths (6, 12 and 20 m) around the reef, measuring fish species richness and biomass and hermatypic coral cover (at genus level). We evaluated variation in species richness, biomass and diversity of fish assemblages among sites and depths, as well as the relationship between the entire fish assemblage composition and live coral cover. The results showed that species richness and biomass were similar among sites, but differed across depths, increasing with depth. In contrast, diversity differed among sites but not among depths. Multivariate analyses indicated that fish assemblage composition differed among sites and depths in relation to changes in cover of coral of the genera Pocillopora, Porites, Pavona and Leptoseris, which dominate at different depths. The results showed that fish species richness and diversity were low at Clipperton Atoll and that, in isolated coral reefs with a low habitat heterogeneity and low human disturbance, live coral cover has a significant influence on the spatial variation of the reef fish assemblages. This study highlights the importance of coral habitat structure in shaping coral reef fish assemblages.Keywords: species-habitat interaction; reef fish diversity; spatial variation; habitat structure. Comunidades de peces del atolón de Clipperton (Pacífico oriental tropical) y su relación con la cobertura de coralesResumen: El atolón de Clipperton, uno de los arrecifes de coral más aislados del mundo, presenta un gran interés científico por su geomorfología y endemismo. Este estudio analizó la estructura de las comunidades de peces de arrecife de este atolón y su relación con la cobertura de coral vivo. Para ello se muestrearon nueve estaciones alrededor del arrecife en tres sitios a tres profundidades (6, 12, 20 m), registrando, la riqueza y biomasa de peces, así como la cobertura de coral hermatípico a nivel de género. Se evaluó la variación de la riqueza, biomasa y diversidad de peces entre sitios y profundidades, así como la relación de la composición y biomasa de peces con la cobertura de coral vivo. Los resultados mostraron que la riqueza y biomasa fueron similares entre los sitios, pero diferentes entre profundidades, ya que incrementan con la profundidad. En contraste, la diversidad difirió entre sitios pero no entre profundidades. Los análisis multidimensionales indicaron que la comunidad de peces fue diferente entre sitios y profundidades, relacionándolo con la cobertura de coral de los géneros Pocillopora, Porites, Pavona y Leptoseris, que dominan a distinta profundidad. Los resultados evidenciaron una baja riqueza y diversidad de peces arrecifales en el atolón de Clipperton. En arrecifes de coral aislados, con baja heterogeneidad de hábitats y po...

show abstract

Trophic models and short-term simulations for the coral reefs of Cayos Cochinos and Media Luna (Honduras): a comparative network analysis, ecosystem development, resilience, and fishery

Cited by 19 publications

References 53 publications

Trophic flow structure of a neotropical estuary in northeastern Brazil and the comparison of ecosystem model indicators of estuaries

Trophic flow structure of a neotropical estuary in northeastern Brazil and the comparison of ecosystem model indicators of estuaries

Trophic models and short-term dynamic simulations for benthic-pelagic communities at Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve (Mexican Caribbean): a conservation case

Coral reef fish assemblages at Clipperton Atoll (Eastern Tropical Pacific) and their relationship with coral cover

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About