Trophic model-generated indicators of the southern Benguela ecosystem for communicating with fisheries managers
An Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) is the new management paradigm considered for ecosystems worldwide. Its aim is to balance a multitude of objectives, including those of conservation and exploitation.Ecosystem modelling is recognised as a tool that may be used towards achieving an EAF. Trophic models are explicitly based on the interactions between ecosystem components and therefore allow stakeholders to view how pressures (environmental or anthropogenic) impact upon the ecosystem, as well as its individual components. An updated trophic model representing the 2004-2008 period within the southern Benguela ecosystem was constructed.This current model complements historic 1900s, 1960s and 1980s trophic models previously published. Examinations of the model outputs signify a change in the food web structure of the southern Benguela ecosystem.
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