Network analysis of the energy flow through the Dublin Bay ecosystem

Energy (biomass) and energy flows (production, inputs, transfers and respir ation) were calculated for seven compartments (phytoplankton, benthic prima ry producers, zooplankton, benthic macrofauna, fish, birds and particulate organic matter (POM)) of the Dublin Bay system. The resultant model was ana lysed with the SCOR network analysis package. The most prominent feature of the model was the importance of the allochthonous input of POM and the pro cessing through the macroinvertebrates. Network analysis suggested that Dub lin Bay showed the characteristics of a coastal/estuarine system, although the total system energy throughput was rather low. Indices of the system it self suggested that it was in an immature, developing stage (sensu Odum 196 9) which would show low resilience and thus be sensitive to external pertur bations.