加拿大不列颠哥伦比亚大学Edward J. Gregr等研究人员发现，关键猎食者的恢复可对生态与经济带来级联影响。相关论文于2020年6月12日发表在《科学》杂志上。

研究人员表示，猎食者的恢复通常会导致生态系统变化，从而引发与最近人类活动的冲突。在北太平洋东部，正在恢复的水獭正在通过减少底栖无脊椎动物的数量并从放牧压力中释放海藻森林来改变沿海系统。这些变化威胁着已建立的贝类渔业，并改变了其他各种生态系统服务。这种营养级联的各种社会和经济后果是未知的，尤其是在大区域。

Title: Cascading social-ecological costs and benefits triggered by a recovering keystone predator

Author: Edward J. Gregr, Villy Christensen, Linda Nichol, Rebecca G. Martone, Russell W. Markel, Jane C. Watson, Christopher D. G. Harley, Evgeny A. Pakhomov, Jonathan B. Shurin, Kai M. A. Chan

Issue&Volume: 2020/06/12

Abstract: Predator recovery often leads to ecosystem change that can trigger conflicts with more recently established human activities. In the eastern North Pacific, recovering sea otters are transforming coastal systems by reducing populations of benthic invertebrates and releasing kelp forests from grazing pressure. These changes threaten established shellfish fisheries and modify a variety of other ecosystem services. The diverse social and economic consequences of this trophic cascade are unknown, particularly across large regions. We developed and applied a trophic model to predict these impacts on four ecosystem services. Results suggest that sea otter presence yields 37% more total ecosystem biomass annually, increasing the value of finfish [+9.4 million Canadian dollars (CA$)], carbon sequestration (+2.2 million CA$), and ecotourism (+42.0 million CA$). To the extent that these benefits are realized, they will exceed the annual loss to invertebrate fisheries ($7.3 million CA$). Recovery of keystone predators thus not only restores ecosystems but can also affect a range of social, economic, and ecological benefits for associated communities.

DOI: 10.1126/science.aay5342

Source: https://science.sciencemag.org/content/368/6496/1243