The American sand lance (Ammodytes americanus, Ammodytidae) and the Northern sand lance (A. dubius, Ammodytidae) are small forage fishes that play an important functional role in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean (NWA). The NWA is a highly dynamic ecosystem currently facing increased risks from climate change, fishing and energy development. We need a better understanding of the biology, population dynamics and ecosystem role of Ammodytes to inform relevant management, climate adaptation and conservation efforts. To meet this need, we synthesized available data on the (a) life history, behaviour and distribution; (b) trophic ecology; (c) threats and vulnerabilities; and (d) ecosystem services role of Ammodytes in the NWA. Overall, 72 regional predators including 45 species of fishes, two squids, 16 seabirds and nine marine mammals were found to consume Ammodytes. Priority research needs identified during this effort include basic information on the patterns and drivers in abundance and distribution of Ammodytes, improved assessments of reproductive biology schedules and investigations of regional sensitivity and resilience to climate change, fishing and habitat disturbance. Food web studies are also needed to evaluate trophic linkages and to assess the consequences of inconsistent zooplankton prey and predator fields on energy flow within the NWA ecosystem. Synthesis results represent the first comprehensive assessment of Ammodytes in the NWA and are intended to inform new research and support regional ecosystem‐based management approaches.

中文翻译：

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沙矛（Ammodytes sp。）在西北大西洋生态系统中的作用：当前知识的综合对保护和管理的意义

美国沙矛（Ammodytes americanus，Ammodytidae）和北部沙矛（A. dubius，Ammodytidae）是小型饲草鱼，在西北大西洋（NWA）中起着重要的功能性作用。NWA是一个高度动态的生态系统，目前面临着来自气候变化，捕鱼和能源开发的更大风险。我们需要对沙门菌的生物学，种群动态和生态系统作用有更好的了解，以便为相关管理，气候适应和保护工作提供信息。为了满足这一需求，我们综合了有关以下方面的可用数据：（a）生活史，行为和分布；（b）营养生态学；（c）威胁和脆弱性；（d）拟杆菌的生态系统服务作用在NWA中。总之，发现72周区域的天敌，包括45种鱼类，二鱿鱼，海鸟16和九个海洋哺乳动物消费Ammodytes。在此过程中确定的优先研究需求包括有关烟粉虱数量和分布模式和驱动因素的基本信息，对生殖生物学时间表的改进评估，以及对气候变化，捕鱼和栖息地干扰的区域敏感性和复原力的调查。还需要进行食物网研究，以评估营养联系并评估浮游动物捕食场和捕食者场的不一致对西北非生态系统内能量流的影响。综合结果代表了对拟杆菌的首次全面评估 在NWA中进行，旨在为新研究提供信息，并支持基于区域生态系统的管理方法。