FISHECO

Fish community structure and ecosystem properties in a global change context

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Humans are modifying the composition of biological communities through habitat loss and resource depletion (fishing). Changes in biota may have even greater effects on ecosystem properties than changes in abiotic parameters. However, the vast majority of studies dealing with the relationship between the composition of ecological communities and ecosystem functioning have concentrated on relatively simple systems (primary producers), have investigated at small scales (experiments) and have only considered the number of species to describe ecological communities. Time has come to shift towards (i) the study of complex systems (high trophic levels), (ii) large scale investigations and (iii) descriptors of ecological communities that take into account the role of organisms in ecosystems. The FISHECO fellowship aims at providing a high level training as well as a boost for career development to a promising full professor of 38 years old who has the ambition to lead research projects on the relationships between fish community structure and coastal ecosystem functioning within a context of global change. The Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, and more particularly Pr. Bellwood, has been very influential worldwide on this research topic. The originality of Prof Bellwood’s approach is to consider the functional role of fish species in assessing the link between community structure and ecosystem functioning (eight publications in Science or Nature). While Europe has a long tradition of excellence in fishery science (fish as a food resource) Pr. Mouillot will work on the overlooked role of fish in ecosystems. This fresh view would bring fundamental shifts in coastal management strategies. After training two years using fish communities on coral reefs as a case study, the fellow (i) will share his acquired knowledge with European research networks and with European students, and (ii) will use these new competencies to built up innovative funding proposals'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Scientific studies have traditionally used the number of species as a means of describing the relationship between the composition of relatively simple biological communities and their function. An EU-funded initiative investigated more complex systems on a larger scale, with greater consideration of the role of organisms in ecosystems.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The 'Fish community structure and ecosystem properties in a global change context' (FISHECO) project analysed the relationship between community structure and the function of coastal ecosystems. Rather than viewing fish as a food resource, the initiative examined the role of fish in coastal ecosystems, within the context of global change.

FISHECO investigated if all the species found on coral reefs or coastal ecosystems are needed for the system to function, or whether the ecosystem can cope with species loss. Results indicated that even in species-rich tropical systems, such as coral reefs, the erosion of species diversity cannot be discounted.

This is because species tend to be concentrated disproportionally around a few activities, rather than being spread evenly, with many functions being performed by a single species. In addition, it was shown that rare species go extinct more rapidly when faced by pollution, habitat degradation and fishing activity. Ecosystem function is therefore fragile, remaining susceptible to biodiversity loss, including rare species.

FISHECO's second objective was to assess the severity and type of disturbances caused to ecosystems as a result of human activity. This is traditionally determined by measuring the decline in populations or the loss of vulnerable habitats and species.

However, ecosystems do not need to suffer species loss in order to react to disturbance from human activities. For example, the loss of some traits from the ecosystem, such as fish with large body size when under pressure from fishing. Therefore, FISHECO investigated the effect of human activity on the taxonomic and functional diversity of fish communities across the Pacific.

Results indicated that caution should be used when using species richness to measure the condition of ecosystems. This is because they are less responsive to changes in human population density than when using species function as a barometer. Dramatically reduced by human activity. loss of functional diversity may threaten the performance of ecosystems.

The FISHECO project highlighted the role of rare or threatened species and the unique and irreplaceable functions they perform in coastal and coral reef ecosystems. As such, project results can play a valuable role in guiding future conservation strategies and new experiments for determining the role of rare species in ecosystems and for conserving biodiversity.