The book presents a collection of large-scale network-modeling studies on coastal systems in Latin America. It includes a novel description of the functioning of coastal complex ecosystems and also predicts how natural and human-made disturbances percolate through the networks. Coastal areas belong to the most populated ecosystems around the globe, and are massively influenced by human impacts such as shipping, mining, fisheries, tourism, pollution and human settlements. Even though many of these activities have facilitated socio-economic development, they have also caused a significant deterioration in natural populations, communities and ecosystems worldwide.
Covering coastal marine ecosystems of Latin America such as the NE and SE Pacific, NW Atlantic and Caribbean areas, it discusses the construction of quantitative (Ecopath-Ecosim-Ecospace and Centrality of Node Sets) and semi-quantitative (Loop Analysis) multispecies trophic-network models to describe and assess the impacts of natural and human interventions like pelagic and benthic fishing as well as natural events such as El Niño, and La Niña. The book also features steady state (and/or near moving equilibrium) and dynamical models to support the management of exploited organisms, and applies and quantifies macroscopic indices, based on Ascendency (Ulanowicz) and Local Stability (Levins´ Loop Analysis). Further, it discusses the determination of the Keystone Species Complex Index, which is a holistic extension of the classical concept of Keystone Species (Paine), offering novel strategies for conservation monitoring and management.
Author(s): Marco Ortiz, Ferenc Jordán
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2021
Language: English
Pages: 207
City: Cham
Foreword
Preface
Contents
Part I: Natural and Human Environment of Coastal Ecosystems
Ecological Modeling and Conservation on the Coasts of Mexico
1 Introduction
1.1 Oceanographic Features
Ocean Acidification
Oxygen Minimum Zones
1.2 Biodiversity of Coral and Rocky Reefs
Caribbean
Gulf of Mexico
Pacific
1.3 Ecological Connectivity
1.4 Main Threats to Biodiversity from Human-Related Activities in the Caribbean
2 Conclusion and Remarks
References
The Humboldt Current Large Marine Ecosystem (HCLME), a Challenging Scenario for Modelers and Their Contribution for the Manager
1 Introduction
1.1 Upwelling and Related Determinant Oceanographic Features
1.2 Diversity, Productivity, and Trends in Fisheries Landings
2 Conclusion
References
Part II: Marine Ecosystem Models in the Latin American Coasts
Modelling the Northern Humboldt Current Ecosystem: From Winds to Predators
1 Introduction
1.1 Atmospheric Modeling of the NHCE
1.2 Oceanic Physical-Biogeochemical Modeling of the NHCE
1.3 Individual Based Ecosystem Models of the NHCE
1.4 Ecotrophic Modelling of the NHCE
2 Conclusions
References
Using Ecosystem Models to Evaluate Stock Recovery in Two Hake Species from Chile
1 Introduction
2 Study Area and Modelling Framework
2.1 Mathematical Model and Functional Groups
2.2 Optimization Routines
3 Modelling Outcomes
4 Fisheries and Socio-Economical Constrains
5 Conclusions
References
Macroscopic Properties and Keystone Species Complexes in Kelp Forest Ecosystems Along the North-Central Chilean Coast
1 Introduction
1.1 Macroscopic or Emergent Ecosystem Properties
1.2 Keystone Species Complex: A Holistic Concept
2 Geographical Areas Modelling Structure and Assumptions
2.1 Study Area
2.2 Ecosystem Model Compartments
2.3 Macroscopic Ecosystem Properties
2.4 Determination of Keystone Species
Functional Index
Topological or Structural Index
Semi-Quantitative Keystone Index
Centrality of Nodes Sets
3 Macroscopic Ecosystem Properties and Keystone Species Complex
4 Conclusions and Future Directions
References
Exploring Harvest Strategies in a Benthic Habitat in the Humboldt Current System (Chile): A Study Case
1 Introduction
2 Geographical Area and Modelling
2.1 Baseline Information for Models
2.2 Simulation of Harvest by Changes in Fishing Mortality
2.3 Analysis of Optimization of Economic and Ecological Scenarios
2.4 Ecosystem Maturity Indicator
3 Modelling Outcomes
4 Conclusions
References
How Much Biomass Must Remain in the Sea After Fishing to Preserve Ecosystem Functioning? The Case of the Sardine Fishery in the Gulf of California, Mexico
1 Introduction
1.1 The Trophic Network of the Central Gulf of California
Entropy
Noxycline Estimation
Annex
References
Macroscopic Network Properties and Spatially-Explicit Dynamic Model of the Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve Coral Reef (Caribbean Sea) for the Assessment of Harvest Scenarios
1 Introduction
2 Modeling Strategy and Assumptions
2.1 Data Sources, Model Compartments, and Dynamic Simulations
3 Macroscopic Network Properties and Dynamic-Spatial Model Responses
References
The Use of Ecological Networks as Tools for Understanding and Conserving Marine Biodiversity
1 Introduction
2 Background
2.1 Advances in Network Ecology and Their Relevance for Conservation
2.2 Macroscopic and Microscopic Patterns in Marine Food Webs: From Network Structure to Species Topological Roles
2.3 Processes Shaping the Structure of Marine Food Webs
2.4 The Roles That Fisheries Play Within Food Webs
3 Analytical Approaches
3.1 Structural Analysis: Local and Mesoscale Indices
3.2 Keystone Species and Keystone Species Complexes
3.3 Modularity
3.4 Linking Network Theory and Modeling: An Adaptive Network Models Approach
4 Concluding Remarks
References
Modelling and Conservation of Coastal Marine Ecosystems in Latin America
1 Overview and Synthesis
References
