A mass balance model for the Gulf of Cadiz: implications for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive Descriptor 4 (Food webs)

Mass balance Ecological Network indicators, Trophodynamic indicators, TLs, Trophic flows, Keystone species, Matrix Trophic Impact, Ecosystem indicators Food web structure Ecosystem functioning Fishing impacts Annual Ecopath model (EwE) Torres et al. (2013) The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) (EU Directive 2008/56/EC) aims to achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) of the European waters by 2020 in the context of an ecosystem approach (linking environmental protection to sustainable use) 11 Descriptors associated to specific criteria and indicators Descriptor 4 (D4) addresses the food web structure and energy transfer between different components of the marine ecosystems