An ecosystem model of the northern and central Adriatic Sea : anasisys of ecosystem structure and fhishing impacts

Abstract

A trophic mass-balance model of the Northern and Central Adriatic Sea was developed to characterice the classical food web functioning and structure and to describe the ecosystem impacts of fishing. Important features of the ecosystem were highlighed, such as the key role of coupled pelagic-benthic production of plankton, benthic invertebrates and detritus, and the importance of small pelagic fishes within the system. Fishing impacts are higt in the ecosystem.