Ecological network analysis metrics: The need for an entire ecosystem approach in management and policy

Brian Fath (1) , Harald Asmus (2) , Ragnhild Asmus (2) , Dan Baird (3) , Stuart Borrett (4) , Victor de Jonge (5) , Alessandro Ludovisi (6) , Nathalie Niquil (7, 8) , Ursula Scharler (9) , Ulrike Schückel (10) , Matthias Wolff (11)

1 Towson University [Towson, MD, United States]
2 AWI - Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung = Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research = Institut Alfred-Wegener pour la recherche polaire et marine
3 USB - University of Stellenbosch Business School [Cape Town]
4 UNC - University of North Carolina [Wilmington]
5 University of Hull [United Kingdom]
6 UNIPG - Università degli Studi di Perugia = University of Perugia
7 BOREA - Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques
8 CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
9 UKZN - University of KwaZulu-Natal [Durban, Afrique du Sud]
10 LKN.SH - Landesbetrieb für Küstenschutz, Nationalpark und Meeresschutz Schleswig-Holstein [Husum, Allemagne]
11 ZMT - Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research

In this paper, we identified seven ecological network analysis (ENA) metrics that, in our opinion, have high potential to provide useful and practical information for environmental decision-makers and stakeholders. Measurement and quantification of the network indicators requires that an ecosystem level assessment is implemented. The ENA metrics convey the status of the ecological system state variables, and mostly, the flows and relations between the various nodes of the network. The seven metrics are: 1) Average Path Length (APL), 2) Finn Cycling Index (FCI), 3) Mean Trophic level (MTL), 4) Detritivory to Herbivory ratio (D:H), 5) Keystoneness, 6) Structural Information (SI), and 7) Flow-based Information indices. The procedure for calculating each metric is detailed along with a short evaluation of their potential assessment of environmental status.

Mots clés: Ecological network analysis; Cycling; Trophic length; Marine and coastal environment; Food web

Domaines: Biodiversité et Ecologie; Milieux et Changements globaux; Environnement et Société

Brian Fath, Harald Asmus, Ragnhild Asmus, Dan Baird, Stuart Borrett, et al.. Ecological network analysis metrics: The need for an entire ecosystem approach in management and policy. Ocean and Coastal Management, 2019, 174, pp.1-14. ⟨10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2019.03.007⟩. ⟨hal-02152462⟩