Barents sea eccosstem dynamics - a spatial approach

How perturbations from harvest and climate cascade through marine shelf ecosystems depend on species interactions. Interaction strength is therefore of vital importance to ecosystem dynamics. In this project, we propose a spatial approach to study trophi c and competitive interactions in boreal shelf ecosystems. We will do this by testing explicit hypotheses regarding spatial structure and species overlap of Barents Sea apex predators and their prey. We will quantify how spatial structure and spatial inte ractions are related to trophic levels, spatial scale, ocean climate and the abundance of the interacting species. By estimating whether the Barents Sea ecosystem is governed mainly by top-down or bottom-up regulation, we can evaluate how the Barents Sea ecosystems may buffer perturbations due to fishery and climatic change. Through our international collaboration, we can further elucidate the resilience and regulation of the Barents Sea ecosystem by comparing it to the Scotian shelf, a similar ecosystem that has undergone a collapse and major changes in species composition. Our project will generate knowledge of key ecological processes underlying shelf system dynamics. This knowledge is highly relevant for the implementation of an ecosystem approach to management of marine ecosystems.