Trophic cascades in a formerly cod-dominated ecosystem
Frank, K.T.; Petrie, B.; Choi, J.; Leggett, W.C. (2005). Trophic cascades in a formerly cod-dominated ecosystem. Science (Wash.) 308(5728): 1621-1623
In: Science (Washington). American Association for the Advancement of Science: New York, N.Y. ISSN 0036-8075; e-ISSN 1095-9203, meer
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| Auteurs | | Top |
- Frank, K.T.
- Petrie, B.
- Choi, J.
- Leggett, W.C.
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| Abstract |
Removal of top predators from ecosystems can result in cascading effects through the trophic levels below, completely restructuring the food web. Cascades have been observed in small-scale or simple food webs, but not in large, complex, open-ocean ecosystems. Using data spanning many decades from a once cod-dominated northwest Atlantic ecosystem, we demonstrate a trophic cascade in a large marine ecosystem. Several cod stocks in other geographic areas have also collapsed without recovery, suggesting the existence of trophic cascades in these systems. |
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