Modeling trophic webs in freshwater fishpond systems using Ecopath: towards better polyculture management

Freshwater pond polyculture faces many challenges in Europe. Appropriate tools must be developed to better understand and manage trophic interactions ecosystems. The objective of our study was the make inference on fish diet common carp through a combination experiments web modeling. We conducted an experiment small fishponds reared with roach perch used Ecopath Ecosim software characterize food web. Two replicates 3 treatments were performed: semi-extensive low density no formulated feed, intensive twice feed coupled planted lagoon. Ten groups defined describe modeling procedure enabled us estimate diets each group. fed non-fed differed greatly since mainly when available. exhibited plasticity by adapting their available resources. benthic macroinvertebrates zooplankton preyed upon intensively; they became limiting factors for production depended phytoplankton availability. Detritus main sources nutrients all but not efficiently. These results provide several insights improving polyculture. In particular, promote management as target species balance assemblages more efficient use