Ecological interactions amplify cumulative effects in marine ecosystems.

Area of Science:

• Marine ecology
• Ecosystem-based management
• Conservation science

Background:

• Biodiversity includes species interactions crucial for ecosystem functioning.
• These interactions are frequently overlooked in environmental management strategies.
• Existing approaches often fail to account for cumulative impacts on marine species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce an ecosystem-based approach for assessing cumulative effects in the St. Lawrence marine ecosystem.
• To explicitly incorporate species interactions into multiple stressors frameworks.
• To identify previously unrecognized threats to marine species and inform conservation.

Main Methods:

• Developed an ecosystem-based approach integrating species interactions.
• Applied a multiple stressors framework to assess cumulative effects.
• Focused on the St. Lawrence marine ecosystem in eastern Canada.

Main Results:

• Revealed previously unrecognized threats to exploited and endangered fishes and marine mammals.
• Highlighted significant gaps in current management and recovery strategies.
• Demonstrated the substantial impact of species interactions on ecosystem dynamics.

Conclusions:

• Integrating species interactions into cumulative effects assessments is essential for effective marine conservation.
• The proposed approach provides a robust tool for comprehensive management.
• Enhanced strategies are needed to address complex threats to marine biodiversity.