Model of a coral reef ecosystem. II: gross and net benthic primary production at french frigate shoals, Hawaii

The ECOPATH model for French Frigate Shoals estimates the benthic pla nt production (net primary production in kg wet weight) required to s upport the atoll food chain. The reef communities at French Frigate Shoals exhibited patterns and rates of organic carbon production and ca lcification similar to other reefs in the world. The estimate of net primary production is 6.1 multiplied by 10 super(6) kg wet weight km super(-2) year super(-1) plus or minus 50%, a value remarkably close to the estimate by the ECOPATH model of 4.3 plus or minus 10 super(6) kg wet weight km super(-2) year super(-1). Model results indicate that about 5% of net primary production is passed up the food chain to mobile predators.