| Abstract: |
| Harvesting strongly impacts the dynamics of interacting species of ecological systems. Depending on the harvesting strategy at different trophic levels, the long-run stationary biomass of the coexisting population becomes unstable and ultimately goes to extinction. Various patterns may be possible based on the intensity of harvesting efforts distributed among different trophic levels. If we aim to manage ecological systems with multiple objectives, only the yield-maximizing strategy may not fit the system. A balance between ecosystem services is essential for food chain systems. The hydra effect, one of the paradoxical results of theoretical and applied ecology, refers to the fact that increasing a population`s mortality rate enhances its stock. Hence, the existence of the hydra effect, at a stable steady state, needs to be investigated in food chain models. Parameters involved in any ecological system are inherent factors and change very slowly in comparison to the applied harvesting effort. Hence, harvesting effort can be used as a control parameter to regulate the system. Viewed from the perspective of dynamics, in this talk, I shall present mathematical approaches to the explicit impacts of harvesting in food chain systems. These investigations contribute to understanding population interactions, fishery management, and biological pest control tactics. |
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