Food web - Trophic interactions

The food web in Zeeschelde is not static, but differs in space and time, with both seasonal and long-term trends and changes. A spectacular example is the system change in the Zeeschelde, where many new species appeared over a very short period (and some disappeared), and new trophic links were established. The changes in the different organism groups have been fairly well mapped, but the mechanism behind these changes in the whole cascade is still insufficiently understood. Several hypotheses have been suggested, but it is difficult to verify these retrospectively. This research project aims at mapping the current food web and thus the trophic links between the important species, providing substantiated arguments for existing hypotheses. In addition, a good understanding of the food web is essential to understand effects on or future changes.