Presentation Abstract
Ecosystems are complex, dynamic networks of interacting physical, chemical, biological and social components. A stressor such as eutrophication thus can cause responses throughout the system via direct and indirect pathways and feedbacks. Ecosystem models are typically designed to account for as many critical components, functions and pathways as possible in order to reasonably simulate how a system may respond to a stressor; however, many aspects of ecosystem structure and function are poorly studied and too data-poor to represent in a quantitative, mechanistic model. Qualitative network models (QNMs) assume comparably simple (i.e., positive or negative) relationships between interacting components, and allow users to quickly assess potential impacts of stressors or management actions on both data-rich and data-poor aspects of a system. Here, we adapt a previously published QNM of Puget Sound to assess how eutrophication at different scales of space, time and system complexity might affect key species at all trophic levels as well as ecosystem services and human wellbeing. The outcomes of QNM simulations can be compared to other types of models for support and validation, and should be regarded as hypotheses that guide future quantitative studies and decision making in Puget Sound.
Session Title
Interdisciplinary Approaches to Understanding Eutrophication and Over-enrichment of Nutrients in Puget Sound and Effects on Marine Species
Keywords
Food web, Puget Sound, ecosystem-based management, social-ecological system, ecosystem modeling
Conference Track
SSE16: Long-Term Monitoring of Salish Sea Ecosystems
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2018 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE16-328
Start Date
6-4-2018 9:45 AM
End Date
6-4-2018 10:00 AM
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Ecological disturbances--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Eutrophication--Control--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Ecosystem managent--Washington (State)--Puget Sound
Geographic Coverage
Puget Sound (Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Fresh Water Studies Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons
Simulating eutrophication effects in Puget Sound using qualitative network models
Ecosystems are complex, dynamic networks of interacting physical, chemical, biological and social components. A stressor such as eutrophication thus can cause responses throughout the system via direct and indirect pathways and feedbacks. Ecosystem models are typically designed to account for as many critical components, functions and pathways as possible in order to reasonably simulate how a system may respond to a stressor; however, many aspects of ecosystem structure and function are poorly studied and too data-poor to represent in a quantitative, mechanistic model. Qualitative network models (QNMs) assume comparably simple (i.e., positive or negative) relationships between interacting components, and allow users to quickly assess potential impacts of stressors or management actions on both data-rich and data-poor aspects of a system. Here, we adapt a previously published QNM of Puget Sound to assess how eutrophication at different scales of space, time and system complexity might affect key species at all trophic levels as well as ecosystem services and human wellbeing. The outcomes of QNM simulations can be compared to other types of models for support and validation, and should be regarded as hypotheses that guide future quantitative studies and decision making in Puget Sound.
