The Baltic Sea ecosystem has experienced dramatic changes in the past 40 years. Fishing pressures, intertwined with eutrophication and climate-driven hydrological changes, have triggered a rapid reorganization of the whole ecosystem. These changes have been detectable both in time and space in the Baltic seascape and presented in several scientific publications. The aim of this chapter is to review the major mechanisms of this ecosystem change, focusing on the multi-level top-down processes triggered by overfishing at the top of the food web. Focus is given to both temporal and spatial aspects of ecosystem changes. Embracing from fishery to anoxic sea-bottom conditions, this chapter furnishes an end-to-end spatio-temporal understanding of the Baltic Sea food web structure, functioning and resilience. A discussion about the potential existence of alternative stable states, and thus the capability of the system to shift back to the previous state, will be provided. The chapter finally offers considerations about the necessary interventions to reverse back the ecosystem state in view of the foreseen future hydro-climate Changes.

Spatio-temporal ecosystem shits in the Baltic Sea: top-down control and reversibility potential

Casini M
2013

Abstract

The Baltic Sea ecosystem has experienced dramatic changes in the past 40 years. Fishing pressures, intertwined with eutrophication and climate-driven hydrological changes, have triggered a rapid reorganization of the whole ecosystem. These changes have been detectable both in time and space in the Baltic seascape and presented in several scientific publications. The aim of this chapter is to review the major mechanisms of this ecosystem change, focusing on the multi-level top-down processes triggered by overfishing at the top of the food web. Focus is given to both temporal and spatial aspects of ecosystem changes. Embracing from fishery to anoxic sea-bottom conditions, this chapter furnishes an end-to-end spatio-temporal understanding of the Baltic Sea food web structure, functioning and resilience. A discussion about the potential existence of alternative stable states, and thus the capability of the system to shift back to the previous state, will be provided. The chapter finally offers considerations about the necessary interventions to reverse back the ecosystem state in view of the foreseen future hydro-climate Changes.
2013
Advances in Environmental Research
149
167
Casini M
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/721793
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