Ecosystem function and services of aquatic predators in the Anthropocene

Trends in Ecology and Evolution
By: , and 
Edited by: Austin J. Gallagher

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Abstract

Arguments for the need to conserve aquatic predator (AP) populations often focuses on the ecological and socio-economic roles they play. Here, we summarize the diverse ecosystem functions and services connected to APs, including regulating food webs, cycling nutrients, engineering habitat, transmitting diseases/parasites, mediating ecological invasions, effecting climate, supporting fisheries, generating tourism, and providing bioinspiration. In some cases, human-driven declines and increases in AP populations have altered these ecosystem functions and services. We present a Social Ecological Framework for supporting adaptive management decisions involving APs in response to social and environmental change. We also identify outstanding questions to guide future research on the ecological functions and ecosystem services of APs in a changing world
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Ecosystem function and services of aquatic predators in the Anthropocene
Series title Trends in Ecology and Evolution
DOI 10.1016/j.tree.2019.01.005
Volume 33
Issue 4
Year Published 2019
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Western Ecological Research Center
Description 15 p.
First page 369
Last page 383
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