Cited by 122Marine and fisheries researchMathematical and Theoretical Epidemiology and Ecology ModelsCoral and Marine Ecosystems Studies

Predator decline leads to decreased stability in a coastal fish community

Britten, Gregory L., Dowd, Michael, Minto, Cóilín, Ferretti, Francesco, Boero, Ferdinando, Lotze, Heike K.·2014·Ecology Letters

Abstract

Fisheries exploitation has caused widespread declines in marine predators. Theory predicts that predator depletion will destabilise lower trophic levels, making natural communities more vulnerable to environmental perturbations. However, empirical evidence has been limited. Using a community matrix model, we empirically assessed trends in the stability of a multispecies coastal fish community over the course of predator depletion. Three indices of community stability (resistance, resilience and reactivity) revealed significantly decreasing stability concurrent with declining predator abundance. The trophically downgraded community exhibited weaker top-down control, leading to predator-release processes in lower trophic levels and increased susceptibility to perturbation. At the community level, our results suggest that high predator abundance acts as a stabilising force to the naturally stochastic and highly autocorrelated dynamics in low trophic species. These findings have important implications for the conservation and management of predators in marine ecosystems and provide empirical support for the theory of predatory control.

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Crossref · 10.1111/ele.12354

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Authors
Britten, G. L., Dowd, M., Minto, C., Ferretti, F., Boero, F., & Lotze, H. K.
Affiliations
  • Dalhousie University (CA)
  • Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (IE)
  • Hopkins Marine Station (US)
  • University of Salento (IT)
Corresponding author
Britten, Gregory L.
Venue
Ecology Letters
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2014-09-16
Volume
17
Issue
12
Pages
1518-1525
ISSN
  • 1461-023X (ISSN-L)
  • 1461-0248
OpenAlex
W2170460183
Cited by
122
References
36
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 1
FWCI
10.97
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Ecology Letters (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • AIRUS (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
  • Census of Marine Life
  • Irish Department of Education, Technological Research Sector Research Program Strand III
  • Lenfest Ocean Program
  • Sobey Fund for Oceans
  • the EU Projects CoCoNet
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Marine and fisheries research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Mathematical and Theoretical Epidemiology and Ecology Models
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
Keywords
predator decline, community stability, coastal fish communities, fisheries exploitation, top-down control, predator release, trophic downgrading, predator conservation, marine ecosystem management
MeSH terms
Animals, Fishes, Italy, Mediterranean Sea, Predatory Behavior, Models, Statistical, Food Chain

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