Distribution of mesopredatory fish determined by habitat variables in a predator-depleted coastal system.

ABSTRACT: Shallow nearshore habitats are highly valued for supporting marine ecosystems, but are subject to intense human-induced pressures. Mesopredatory fish are key components in coastal food webs, and alterations in their abundance may have evident effects also on other parts of the ecosystem. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between the abundance of coastal mesopredatory fish, defined as mid-trophic level demersal and benthic species with a diet consisting predominantly of invertebrates, and ambient environmental variables in a fjord system influenced by both eutrophication and overfishing. A field survey was conducted over a coastal gradient comprising 300 data points sampled consistently for fish community and environmental data. Results from multivariate and univariate a

SUBMITTER: Bergstrom L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5014906 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature