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\begin{document}

\title{Potter Cove's Heavyweights: Estimation of species' interaction strength
of an Antarctic food web}



\author[1]{Iara Rodriguez}%
\author[2]{Leonardo Saravia}%
\affil[1]{Universidad Nacional de General Sarmiento}%
\affil[2]{Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas}%


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  \date{May 24, 2024}


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\begin{abstract}
Understanding the complex interplay between structure and stability of
marine food webs is crucial for assessing ecosystem resilience,
particularly in the context of ongoing environmental changes. In the
West Antarctic Peninsula, global warming has led to severe alterations
in community composition, species distribution, and abundance over the
last decades. In this study, we estimate the interaction strength within
the Potter Cove (South Shetland Islands, Antarctica) food web to
elucidate the roles of species in its structure and functioning. We use
these estimates to calculate food web stability in response to
perturbations, conducting sequential extinctions to quantify the
importance of individual species based on changes in stability and food
web fragmentation. We explore connections between interaction strength
and key topological properties of the food web. Our findings reveal an
asymmetric distribution of interaction strengths, with a prevalence of
weak interactions and a few strong ones. Species exerting greater
influence within the food web displayed higher degree and trophic
similarity but occupied lower trophic levels and displayed lower
omnivory levels (e.g., macroalgae and detritus). Extinction simulations
revealed the key role of certain species, particularly amphipods and the
black rockcod Notothenia coriiceps, as their removal led to significant
changes in food web stability and network fragmentation. This study
highlights the importance of considering species interaction strengths
in assessing the stability of polar marine ecosystems. These insights
have crucial implications for guiding monitoring and conservation
strategies aimed at preserving the integrity of Antarctic marine
ecosystems.%
\end{abstract}%



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