Modelling the trophic roles of the demersal Chondrichthyes in the Northern Ionian Sea (Central Mediterranean Sea)

The maintenance of natural capital and the stability of regulation services of marine ecosystems has proved to be linked to the conservation of key species supporting the ecosystems function. Chondrichthyes are key top-predators and their removal from marine ecosystems due to fishing exploitation could lead to changes in species interactions and biomass that can negatively influence the provision of ecosystems services. The ecological role of the demersal Chondrichthyes living in the marine food web of the Calabrian area in the Northern Ionian Sea (Central Mediterranean Sea) was analysed by means of ecological indicators derived from Ecopath mass-balance food web models estimated in their stationary states during the periods 1995–1997, 2003–2005 and 2013–2015. The trophic web model was described by 57 functional groups (7 of which representing the demersal Chondrichthyes), which were described by their Biomass (t/km2), Production and Consumption rate, Diet, Landings (t/km2) e Discards ...