Modelo trófico del ecosistema rocoso litoral de la isla de El Hierro, islas Canarias

Abstract

We provide a mass-balance model which has been constructed using Ecopath with Ecosim software to characterize the trophic structure and the main energy flows of the sublittoral rocky-bottom ecosystem of El Hierro island. The model is composed by 22 trophic groups, that represent the most characteristic species of the benthic communities of the Canary islands. The ecological indicators and parameters resulted from the mass balance model characterized the ecosystem as an undeveloped system, far from the maturity status, with a low recycling index and dominated by mid-low trophic levels in terms of biomass. Macroinvertebrate feeders and piscivorous fish groups were identified as keystone species of the ecosystem. This model can be used for exploring different temporal scenarios to analyse the effect of different type of perturbations on keystone groups that contribute to ecosystem resilience. in this sense, this model is a very valuable tool for the managers of El Hierro marine resources who can foresee the possible ecosystem effects of new fisheries policies