Global sensitivity analysis of a complex marine ecosystem model: Advancing the understanding of ecosystem functioning
Abstract
Ecosystem models are characterized by high dimensionality and strong non-linear dynamics, making it essential to assess their sensitivity to parameter uncertainty to improve the robustness of model interpretation and their use in decision-support contexts. In this study, we conducted a global sensitivity analysis of the OSMOSE ecosystem model, which exhibits substantial variability due to numerous parameters and complex interactions among processes. The analysis was based on the Morris screening method, selected for its computational efficiency and its ability to detect global effects, non-linearities, and parameter interactions. A broad set of parameters related to growth, mortality, predation, resource accessibility, and fishing was included. Their effects were evaluated using five ecological indicators (biomass, catch, large-fish index in catch, mean length, and mean trophic level) at both the community and species levels. Strong non-linear responses and interactions among parameters were consistently observed across processes and indicators, confirming the necessity of global methods for analyzing complex ecosystem models. This analysis enables the early identification of influential parameters, such as those related to growth and sexual maturity. Beyond identifying key sources of uncertainty, the results also provide insights into ecosystem functioning by distinguishing species that play a structuring role at the community level (e.g., herring) from those that primarily insert local effects (e.g., lesser spotted dogfish). Overall, global sensitivity analysis emerges not only as a methodological tool but also as a means of ecological interpretation, enhancing the credibility and transparency of ecosystem models used for environmental impact assessment.
Related
- Marine Functional Connectivity Contributes to Ecosystem Functioning Across Multiple Scales
- Environmental change increases the contribution of rare microbial species to ecosystem functioning in agricultural soils
- Aquaculture and biodiversity-ecosystem functioning: A path to lay the foundations of ecosystem-based approach.
- Warming and predation drive rapid evolution of ecosystem functioning but not functional traits
- Plant nitrogen acquisition strategies impact ecosystem carbon storage under future climate
BibTeX
@article{huang2026global,
title = {{Global sensitivity analysis of a complex marine ecosystem model: Advancing the understanding of ecosystem functioning}},
author = {Yansong Huang and Ghassen Halouani and Criscely Luján and Frida Ben Rais Lasram and Raphael Girardin},
journal = {Ecological Modelling},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2026.111725},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05854073v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Global sensitivity analysis of a complex marine ecosystem model: Advancing the understanding of ecosystem functioning
AU - Yansong Huang
AU - Ghassen Halouani
AU - Criscely Luján
AU - Frida Ben Rais Lasram
AU - Raphael Girardin
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/05
JO - Ecological Modelling
DO - 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2026.111725
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05854073v1
AB - Ecosystem models are characterized by high dimensionality and strong non-linear dynamics, making it essential to assess their sensitivity to parameter uncertainty to improve the robustness of model interpretation and their use in decision-support contexts. In this study, we conducted a global sensitivity analysis of the OSMOSE ecosystem model, which exhibits substantial variability due to numerous parameters and complex interactions among processes. The analysis was based on the Morris screening method, selected for its computational efficiency and its ability to detect global effects, non-linearities, and parameter interactions. A broad set of parameters related to growth, mortality, predation, resource accessibility, and fishing was included. Their effects were evaluated using five ecological indicators (biomass, catch, large-fish index in catch, mean length, and mean trophic level) at both the community and species levels. Strong non-linear responses and interactions among parameters were consistently observed across processes and indicators, confirming the necessity of global methods for analyzing complex ecosystem models. This analysis enables the early identification of influential parameters, such as those related to growth and sexual maturity. Beyond identifying key sources of uncertainty, the results also provide insights into ecosystem functioning by distinguishing species that play a structuring role at the community level (e.g., herring) from those that primarily insert local effects (e.g., lesser spotted dogfish). Overall, global sensitivity analysis emerges not only as a methodological tool but also as a means of ecological interpretation, enhancing the credibility and transparency of ecosystem models used for environmental impact assessment.
SN - 0304-3800
SN - 1872-7026
ER -