Ecosystem flow dynamics in the Baltic Proper-Using a multi-trophic dataset as a basis for food-web modelling

The Baltic Proper is a semi-enclosed, highly productive basin of the Baltic Sea with a low biodiversity, where only a few key species drive the system's dynamics. Recently, an ecosystem regime shift was described having pronounced changes at all trophic levels, driven by changes in fishery and climate and leading to a food-web reorganisation. An Ecopath with Ecosim Baltic Proper food-web model (BaltProWeb) was developed to simulate and better understand trophic interactions and their flows. The model contains 22 functional groups that represent the main food-web components. BaltProWeb was calibrated to long-term monitoring data (1974-2006), covering multiple trophic levels and is forced by fisheries and environmental drivers. Our model enables the quantification of the flows through the food-web from primary producers to top predators including fisheries over time. The model is able to explain 51% of the variation in biomass of multiple trophic levels and to simulate the regime shift from a cod dominated to a sprat dominated system. Results show a change from benthic to more pelagic trophic flows. Before the reorganisation macrozoobenthos was identified as an important functional group transferring energy directly from lower trophic levels to top predators. After the regime shift, the pelagic trophic flows dominated. Uncertainties and limitations of the modelling approach and results in relation to ecosystem-based management are discussed. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.