Alien fish shift the biomass distribution towards a bottom-heavy pyramid in the Pearl River Basin, China
The effects of biological invasion on aquatic ecosystems have been widely evaluated, with varying effects at the population and food web levels. However, the effects of invasive alien fish on trophic cascades, biomass distribution, and population dynamics are poorly understood, leading to poor ecosy...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Ecological Indicators |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25003607 |
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| author | Yuguo Xia Yuefei Li Shuli Zhu Xinhui Li Yuxin Zhang Jie Li |
| author_facet | Yuguo Xia Yuefei Li Shuli Zhu Xinhui Li Yuxin Zhang Jie Li |
| author_sort | Yuguo Xia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The effects of biological invasion on aquatic ecosystems have been widely evaluated, with varying effects at the population and food web levels. However, the effects of invasive alien fish on trophic cascades, biomass distribution, and population dynamics are poorly understood, leading to poor ecosystem management. In this study, we quantified the trophic disruptions attributable to alien fish by investigating changes in the biomass structure of a food web pyramid. Using a 3-year catch dataset from the Pearl River Basin in China, we employed Bayesian mixed-effects models, a piecewise structural equation model, and Pearson’s correlation analysis to explore alien fish effects and trophic interactions in food webs. Our results indicated that invasive alien fish lead to a downward shift in the food web. The alien fish did not affect the total catch per unit effort (CPUE) but significantly decreased the mean trophic level. Trophic interactions were primarily controlled by bottom-up forces in the invaded ecosystem. Moreover, biomass compensation effects were observed between the alien and native species. Invasion did not considerably affect the biomass structure but shifted the biomass distribution towards a more traditional bottom-heavy pyramid. Our results highlight the importance of managing invasive alien species at the ecosystem level and that biomass compensation could be considered for controlling invasive populations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-07fc48d63c2641ddaee79b0a094aa1b1 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1470-160X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecological Indicators |
| spelling | doaj-art-07fc48d63c2641ddaee79b0a094aa1b12025-08-20T03:18:08ZengElsevierEcological Indicators1470-160X2025-04-0117311343010.1016/j.ecolind.2025.113430Alien fish shift the biomass distribution towards a bottom-heavy pyramid in the Pearl River Basin, ChinaYuguo Xia0Yuefei Li1Shuli Zhu2Xinhui Li3Yuxin Zhang4Jie Li5Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guangzhou Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of National Fisheries Resources and Environment, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Experimental Station for Scientific Observation on Fishery Resources and Environment in the Middle and Lower Reaches of Pearl River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, P. R. China, Zhaoqing, Guangdong, ChinaPearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guangzhou Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of National Fisheries Resources and Environment, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Experimental Station for Scientific Observation on Fishery Resources and Environment in the Middle and Lower Reaches of Pearl River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, P. R. China, Zhaoqing, Guangdong, China; Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Aquatic Invasive Alien Species, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, ChinaPearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guangzhou Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of National Fisheries Resources and Environment, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Experimental Station for Scientific Observation on Fishery Resources and Environment in the Middle and Lower Reaches of Pearl River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, P. R. China, Zhaoqing, Guangdong, ChinaPearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guangzhou Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of National Fisheries Resources and Environment, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Experimental Station for Scientific Observation on Fishery Resources and Environment in the Middle and Lower Reaches of Pearl River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, P. R. China, Zhaoqing, Guangdong, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Corresponding author.Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Guangzhou Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of National Fisheries Resources and Environment, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China; Experimental Station for Scientific Observation on Fishery Resources and Environment in the Middle and Lower Reaches of Pearl River, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, P. R. China, Zhaoqing, Guangdong, China; Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control for Aquatic Invasive Alien Species, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China; Corresponding author at: Pearl River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.The effects of biological invasion on aquatic ecosystems have been widely evaluated, with varying effects at the population and food web levels. However, the effects of invasive alien fish on trophic cascades, biomass distribution, and population dynamics are poorly understood, leading to poor ecosystem management. In this study, we quantified the trophic disruptions attributable to alien fish by investigating changes in the biomass structure of a food web pyramid. Using a 3-year catch dataset from the Pearl River Basin in China, we employed Bayesian mixed-effects models, a piecewise structural equation model, and Pearson’s correlation analysis to explore alien fish effects and trophic interactions in food webs. Our results indicated that invasive alien fish lead to a downward shift in the food web. The alien fish did not affect the total catch per unit effort (CPUE) but significantly decreased the mean trophic level. Trophic interactions were primarily controlled by bottom-up forces in the invaded ecosystem. Moreover, biomass compensation effects were observed between the alien and native species. Invasion did not considerably affect the biomass structure but shifted the biomass distribution towards a more traditional bottom-heavy pyramid. Our results highlight the importance of managing invasive alien species at the ecosystem level and that biomass compensation could be considered for controlling invasive populations.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25003607Community ecologyBiological invasionBiomass ratioFood webBiomass compensation |
| spellingShingle | Yuguo Xia Yuefei Li Shuli Zhu Xinhui Li Yuxin Zhang Jie Li Alien fish shift the biomass distribution towards a bottom-heavy pyramid in the Pearl River Basin, China Ecological Indicators Community ecology Biological invasion Biomass ratio Food web Biomass compensation |
| title | Alien fish shift the biomass distribution towards a bottom-heavy pyramid in the Pearl River Basin, China |
| title_full | Alien fish shift the biomass distribution towards a bottom-heavy pyramid in the Pearl River Basin, China |
| title_fullStr | Alien fish shift the biomass distribution towards a bottom-heavy pyramid in the Pearl River Basin, China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Alien fish shift the biomass distribution towards a bottom-heavy pyramid in the Pearl River Basin, China |
| title_short | Alien fish shift the biomass distribution towards a bottom-heavy pyramid in the Pearl River Basin, China |
| title_sort | alien fish shift the biomass distribution towards a bottom heavy pyramid in the pearl river basin china |
| topic | Community ecology Biological invasion Biomass ratio Food web Biomass compensation |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25003607 |
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