@article{fdi:010061423,
  title = {{A}n ecosystem model of an exploited southern {M}editerranean shelf region ({G}ulf of {G}abes, {T}unisia) and a comparison with other {M}editerranean ecosystem model properties},
  author = {{H}attab, {T}. and {L}asram, {F}. {B}. {R}. and {A}lbouy, {C}. and {R}omdhane, {M}. {S}. and {J}arboui, {O}. and {H}alouani, {G}. and {C}ury, {P}hilippe and {L}e {L}oc'h, {F}ran{\c{c}}ois},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{I}n this paper, we describe an exploited continental shelf ecosystem ({G}ulf of {G}abes) in the southern {M}editerranean {S}ea using an {E}copath mass-balance model. {T}his allowed us to determine the structure and functioning of this ecosystem and assess the impacts of fishing upon it. {T}he model represents the average state of the ecosystem between 2000 and 2005. {I}t includes 41 functional groups, which encompass the entire trophic spectrum from phytoplankton to higher trophic levels (e.g., fishes, birds, and mammals), and also considers the fishing activities in the area (five fleets). {M}odel results highlight an important bentho-pelagic coupling in the system due to the links between plankton and benthic invertebrates through detritus. {A} comparison of this model with those developed for other continental shelf regions in the {M}editerranean (i.e., the southern {C}atalan, the northern-central {A}driatic, and the northern {A}egean {S}eas) emphasizes similar patterns in their trophic functioning. {L}ow and medium trophic levels (i.e., zooplanlcton, benthic molluscs, and polychaetes) and sharks were identified as playing key ecosystem roles and were classified as keystone groups. {A}n analysis of ecosystem attributes indicated that the {G}ulf of {G}abes is the least mature (i.e., in the earliest stages of ecosystem development) of the four ecosystems that were compared and it is suggested that this is due, at least in part, to the impacts of fishing. {B}ottom trawling was identified as having the widest-ranging impacts across the different functional groups and the largest impacts on some commercially-targeted demersal fish species. {S}everal exploitation indices highlighted that the {G}ulf of {G}abes ecosystem is highly exploited, a finding which is supported by stock assessment outcomes. {T}his suggests that it is unlikely that the gulf can be fished at sustainable levels, a situation which is similar to other marine ecosystems in the {M}editerranean {S}ea. {C}rown {C}opyright (c) 2013 {P}ublished by {E}lsevier {B}.{V}. {A}ll rights reserved.},
  keywords = {{F}ood web ; {E}copath ; {T}rophic structure ; {E}cosystem modeling ; {E}cosystem approach to fisheries ; {M}editerranean {S}ea ; {G}ulf of {G}abes ; {TUNISIE} ; {MEDITERRANEE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {M}arine {S}ystems},
  volume = {128},
  numero = {},
  pages = {159--174},
  ISSN = {0924-7963},
  year = {2013},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.jmarsys.2013.04.017},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010061423},
}