Supervisors info:
Δρ. Διονύσιος Ε. Ραΐτσος, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Βιολογίας, Ε.Κ.Π.Α.
Δρ. Κωνσταντίνος Τσαγκαράκης, Εντεταλμένος Ερευνητής, ΕΛΚΕΘΕ
Δρ. Δημήτρης Δαμαλάς , Ερευνητής Β’, ΕΛΚΕΘΕ
Summary:
The Mediterranean Sea is characterized as a biodiversity hotspot, which encounters impacts from human-induced stressors, such as overfishing and climate change, which exert pressure on its ecosystem. The Gulf of Corinth hosts a deep ecosystem with a rich biodiversity that has not been extensively studied compared to other ecosystems of the Greek seas. An Ecopath trophic model was applied for the period 2014-2016 to outline its ecological structure. Including 39 functional groups, the model placed particular emphasis on dolphins, given their concentrated presence, mesopelagic fishes due to their abundance, and commercial species to assess the impact of fishing. Detritus-based energy sources dominate, promoting a diverse marine community, particularly in the pelagic zone. Keystone species, such as mesozooplankton, squid, sharks, and hake, shape the trophic relationships in the water column, with keystone prey groups such as shrimps and mesopelagic fish contributing accordingly. Despite some historical reports of pollution and intense fishing activities, the Gulf of Corinth ecosystem shows no evidence of fishing pressure. This is evident in the estimated probability of sustainable fisheries in the ecosystem, which is estimated at 96%. This model was developed to expand knowledge of species trophic relationships and energy flows in the system, making it a critical tool for effective management and conservation initiatives in the Gulf of Corinth.
Keywords:
Gulf of Corinth, Food web, Ecological Model, Ecosystem-based Management, Keystone Species
