3. Conceptual model of the ecosystem
The importance of a conceptual model of the ecosystem is to highlight its most relevant elements and their interaction through network mapping. as an example, Shown in this picture from {Elizabeth and Middleton Reef Reserves Marine Survey 2011},we can recognise some of the elements relations in the reef.
we can identify critical elements such as foundational and keystone species as well as indicator species, recognizing elements in the system that are best suited to promptly detect the onset and development of stress and ecosystem distress syndrome. In the case of the Great Barrier reef, corals are the obvious choice to indicate these changes, because their presence and structure underpins the entire ecosystem. It is also useful to recognize those species that thrive under certain conditions which will also cause an imbalance disrupting the ecosystem stability.