An ecosystem model of San Pedro Bay, Leyte, Philippines: initial parameter estimates

Abstract

A mass-balance model of the trophic structure of San Pedro Bay, Leyte Province, Philippines was constructed using the Ecopath modeling software. The model is composed of 16 ecological groups (13 consumer, 2 producers, 1 detritus groups). The input parameters were obtained from the resource assessments studies conducted in 1994 - 95 and the biomass of Leiognathidae, an important group of small demersal fishes was estimated from trawl survey data using the swept- area method. The model indicated that the average trophic level of the fishery catches is 3.25.