Cresson P. auteur aut IRD Chouvelon T. auteur aut IRD Bustamante P. auteur aut IRD Banaru D. auteur aut IRD Baudrier J. auteur aut IRD Le Loc'h François auteur aut IRD Mauffret A. auteur aut IRD Mialet B. auteur aut IRD Spitz J. auteur aut IRD Wessel N. auteur aut IRD Briand M. J. auteur aut IRD Denamiel M. auteur aut IRD Doray M. auteur aut IRD Guillou G. auteur aut IRD Jadaud A. auteur aut IRD Lazard C. auteur aut IRD Prieur S. auteur aut IRD Rouquette M. auteur aut IRD Saraux C. auteur aut IRD Serre S. auteur aut IRD Timmerman C. A. auteur aut IRD Verin Y. auteur aut IRD Harmelin-Vivien M. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf reformatted digital access Investigating the drivers of fish assemblage trophic structure is a critical question, in order to better understand ecosystem functioning, predict the effects of perturbations and implement integrated management of exploited marine ecosystems. Ecosystemic surveys enabled the determination of the trophic structure of the fish assemblages in three French marine ecosystems, namely the Eastern English Channel, the Bay of Biscay and the Gulf of Lions, through the simultaneous collection of qualitative (stable isotopes and energy content) and quantitative (biomass) data. In the Bay of Biscay and in the Gulf of Lions, pelagic primary production supported at least 80% of the fish biomass production, and explained the dominance of pelagic species, but with differences resulting from the different productivity. The lower productivity in the oligotrophic Gulf of Lions led to a lower total biomass, energy density as well as the predominance of zooplankton-feeders. In contrast, fluxes in the Bay of Biscay were sufficient to support a higher biomass of pelagic piscivores, and of species with higher energy content. In the shallow Eastern English Channel, the respective contributions of pelagic and benthic sources were similar. Bentho-demersal species of higher trophic level dominated this assemblage, because of their ability to exploit both pathways. Results of the present study confirmed that fisheries-focused surveys can be used as efficient platforms to address questions about ecosystem functioning. Here, it confirmed the expected differences between ecosystems and the importance of primary production and environment as drivers of fish assemblage structure and functioning. Future studies should nevertheless develop new methods to better assess the paramount role of low trophic level consumers. specialized Fish community Trophodynamics Food webs Benthic-pelagic coupling FRANCE ATLANTIQUE MEDITERRANEE MANCHE BISCAYE BAIE LION GOLFE 036 034 186 art. 102343 [14 p.] 2020 0079-6611 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/PAR00021265 10.1016/j.pocean.2020.102343 0079-6611 [F B010079433] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/PAR00021265 https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/divers20-08/010079433.pdf IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2020-09-17 2025-02-24 PAR00021265 fre