Limited effects of size-selective harvesting and harvesting-induced life-history changes on the temporal variability of biomass dynamics in complex food webs

Harvesting has been implicated in destabilizing the abundances of exploited populations. Because selective harvesting often targets large individuals, some studies have proposed that populations experience demographic shifts toward younger, smaller individuals and become more sensitive to environmental fluctuations. The theory consumer–resource dynamics applied address impacts simple modular food webs, but harvested are embedded a complex web nature. In addition, shown undergo trait evolution or phenotypic changes early maturation at sizes. Using an empirically derived model, Kuparinen et al. (2016. Fishing-induced life-history degrade destabilize ecosystems. Scientific Reports: 6, 22,245) demonstrated fish other ecosystem properties increased variability due harvesting-induced absence present study, we examined set simulated webs attest generality findings (2016). We found both decreased temporal biomass dynamics, especially with intrinsically oscillating while vast majority did not destabilization. also elucidated shape functional responses on structure, energy flow, caused by harvesting. Our results suggest stabilizing effects importantly depend dynamical models prone evolution.