Identification of the main processes underlying ecosystem functioning in the Eastern English Channel, with a focus on flatfish species, as revealed through the application of the Atlantis end-to-end model

Type Article
Date 2018-02
Language English
Author(s) Girardin RaphaelORCID1, Fulton Elizabeth A.2, Lehuta SigridORCID3, Rolland MarieORCID1, Thebaud OlivierORCID4, Travers-Trolet MorganeORCID1, Vermard YouenORCID3, Marchal PaulORCID1
Affiliation(s) 1 : IFREMER, Channel & North Sea Fisheries Res Unit, 150 Quai Gambetta BP 699, F-62321 Boulogne Sur Mer, France.
2 : CSIRO, Marine & Atmospher Res, Hobart, Tas 7000, Australia.
3 : IFREMER, Unit Fisheries Ecol & Modelling, Ctr Atlantique, Rue Ile dYeu BP 21105, F-44311 Nantes 03, France.
4 : Univ Brest, IFREMER, CNRS, UMR 6308,AMURE,Unite Econ Maritime,IUEM, F-29280 Plouzane, France.
Source Estuarine Coastal And Shelf Science (0272-7714) (Academic Press Ltd- Elsevier Science Ltd), 2018-02 , Vol. 201 , P. 208-222
DOI 10.1016/j.ecss.2016.10.016
WOS© Times Cited 16
Keyword(s) Ecosystem modelling, Flatfish fisheries, Trophic relationships, Calibration, Atlantis, Eastern English Channel
Abstract The ecosystem model Atlantis was used to investigate the key dynamics and processes that structure the Eastern English Channel ecosystem, with a particular focus on two commercial flatfish species, sole (Solea solea) and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa). This complex model was parameterized with data collected from diverse sources (a literature review, survey data, as well as landings and stock assessment information) and tuned so both simulated biomass and catch fit 2002–2011 observations. Here, the outputs are mainly presented for the two focus species and for some other vertebrates found to be important in the trophic network. The calibration process revealed the importance of coastal areas in the Eastern English Channel and of nutrient inputs from estuaries: a lack of river nutrients decreases the productivity of nursery grounds and adversely affects the production of sole and plaice. The role of discards in the trophic network is also highlighted. While sole and plaice did not have a strong influence on the trophic network of vertebrates, they are important predators for benthic invertebrates and compete for food with crustaceans, whiting (Merlangius merlangus) and other demersal fish. We also found that two key species, cod (Gadus morhua) and whiting, thoroughly structured the Eastern English Channel trophic network.
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Girardin Raphael, Fulton Elizabeth A., Lehuta Sigrid, Rolland Marie, Thebaud Olivier, Travers-Trolet Morgane, Vermard Youen, Marchal Paul (2018). Identification of the main processes underlying ecosystem functioning in the Eastern English Channel, with a focus on flatfish species, as revealed through the application of the Atlantis end-to-end model. Estuarine Coastal And Shelf Science, 201, 208-222. Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2016.10.016 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00354/46524/