ISSN:
1573-5125
Keywords:
carrying capacity
;
modelling
;
bivalve suspension feeders
;
shellfish cultivation
;
ecosystem scale
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The concept of carrying capacity of an ecosystem fornatural populations is derived from the logisticgrowth curve in population ecology, and defined as themaximum standing stock that can be supported by agiven ecosystem for a given time. This definitionneeds to be modified for the exploitation ofecosystems. Carrying capacity for exploitation isdefined as the standing stock at which the annualproduction of a marketable cohort is maximized. Forbivalve suspension feeders, the dominant factordetermining the exploitation carrying capacity at theecosystem scale is primary production. At a localscale carrying capacity depends on physicalconstraints such as substrate, shelter and food supplyby tidal currents.We evaluate critically some existing models ofexploited ecosystems for shellfish cultivation inorder to formulate the minimum requirements of ageneric carrying capacity model. Generic models canbe developed for both the ecosystem scale and thelocal scale, depending on the aim of the modelling.Transport processes, sediment dynamics and submodelsfor organism and population level processes areminimum requirements for carrying capacity modelling.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1009947627828
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