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Model Description

The model includes 9 species groups of fish as well as a general group of benthic invertebrates. Species groups were assigned based on functional traits, body size, diet, and interactions with habitat structure. Estimates of observed biomass for each group were used to tune reproduction and resource consumption parameters so that steady state abundances agree with empirical observations. The process of establishing a steady state that agrees with empirical observations is nontrivial. The R script used to tune the steady state parameters is included at the end of this file.

Biomass estimates were based on data collected from Karpata Reef in Bonaire, a site with low fishing levels in a marine reserve (Rogers et al. 2014, Williams et al. 2015, 2016, Newman et al. 2015, Dryden 2016). Observations of fish smaller than 10 cm were removed from analysis because their abundance is not well captured by visual survey methods. The cutoff weight for observed biomass estimates was calculated using published length-weight relationships (Froese and Pauly 2023). The cutoff size is given in the table below along with the observed biomass per square meter in grams.

Species Group Observed Biomass [g/m^2] Cutoff Size [g]
pred_eng 5.51 12.62969
pred_grab 27.60 17.80530
eels 10.00 NA
pred_inv 14.13 26.58539
pred_plank 0.55 13.49043
parrotfish 30.56 15.48385
farm_damsel 0.40 NA
herbs 1.50 75.75344

Size Spectrum Dynamics

These dynamics expand on those used in standard Mizer models, see Delius et al. (2023).

Growth

The growth of organisms is dependent on the energy they are able to obtain from consumed food resources.

Predator-prey encounter rate

The rate Ei(w)E_{i}(w) at which a predator of species ii and weight ww encounters food is dictated by the predation power γi(w)\gamma_i(w), interaction matrix θij\theta_{ij}, the vulnerability to predation Vij(wp)V_{ij}(w_p), and the size selectivity of predator, given by the predation kernel ϕi(w,wp)\phi_i(w,w_p).

Interaction Matrix

The θij\theta_{ij} matrix sets the interaction strength between predator group ii prey group jj. The predator/prey interaction matrix has entries between 0 (if the groups can not interact) and 1, see the figure below. All organisms were assumed to interact equally, with the exception of nocturnal invertivores which are known to hunt off the reef at night.

Interaction strength between each predator group (rows) and prey group (columns) in the 10-group Karpata Reef model.

Interaction strength between each predator group (rows) and prey group (columns) in the 10-group Karpata Reef model.

Predation Kernel

The parameters for the predation kernels were based on trait-based studies of prey size selectivity, diet studies that estimate predator prey mass ratio, and home range size estimates from Nash et al. (2014). Values were tuned to achieve expected diet compositions. All estimates fall within observed ranges. All groups use a lognormal predation kernel. The parameters are given in the table below.

beta sigma gamma
pred_eng 50 1 1.9889276
pred_grab 30 1 1.6527159
eels 30 2 0.2180816
pred_crypt 5 1 2.5541765
pred_inv 30 2 1.9941828
pred_plank 5000 2 0.2102966
parrotfish 30 1 2.5999971
farm_damsel 30 1 0.6117167
herbs 30 1 2.4050383
inverts 30 1 9.6181106

Vulnerability to Predation

The refuge function, Rj(wp)R_j(w_p), describes the proportion of fish of size wpw_p in prey group jj that are hidden from predators. 1Rj(wp)1 - R_j(w_p) is then the proportion of fish of weight wpw_p and prey group jj that are vulnerable to consumption by predators. This model uses the method to determine the refuge profile, the set of proportions that describe refuge availability across the entire size range of model fish (Rogers et al. (2018)). The proportion of prey of weight wpw_p and group jj with access to refuge Rj(wp)R_j(w_p) is given by

Rj(wp)=min{Rmax,τηkiwk1wkNi(w)dwwp(wk1,wk]} R_j(w_p) = min\left \{R_{max} \, , \frac{\tau\cdot\eta_k}{\sum_{i}\int_{w_{k-1}}^{w_k} N_i(w)~dw} ~~~~~~~ w_p \in (~w_{k-1}, w_k~] \right \} {#eq-refuge_data}

The parameter τ\tau is the proportion of fish with access to refuge that are expected to utilize it, ηk\eta_k is the density (no./m2no./m^{2}) of refuges in size range (wk1,wk](w_{k-1}, w_k] and iwk1wkNi(w)dw\sum_{i} \int_{w_{k-1}}^{w_k} N_i(w)~dw gives the total density (no./m2no./m^{2}) of fish from any group in size range (wk1,wk](w_{k-1}, w_k]. This represents the density of competitors for refuges in size class kk. With this method, the refuge profile is density dependent.

All fish are assumed to utilize refuge (τ=1\tau = 1). Fish smaller than 0.1 g are assumed to be larval reef fish that have not yet settled to the reef. A maximum proportion of 98 % of fish are protected at any given time.

Refuge length bins and densities used in the steady state (Karpata Reef, FORCE data)
Start of Bin (cm) End of Bin (cm) Refuge Density (no./m^2)
0 5 7.533
5 10 1.400
10 15 0.708
15 20 0.283
20 25 0.100
25 30 0.050
30 35 0.042
35 40 0.033
40 45 0.033
45 50 0.042
How each species group interacts with predation refuge

Each species group utilises benthic structures differently depending on their specific traits. The table below indicates how each species group interacts with structures that provide predation refuge.

Group Uses refuge? Accesses prey in refuge?
pred_eng Yes ×
pred_grab Yes ×
eels Yes Yes
pred_crypt Yes Yes
pred_inv Yes Yes
pred_plank Yes Yes
parrotfish Yes Yes
farm_damsel Yes Yes
herbs Yes Yes
inverts × Yes

the figure below shows the density-dependent refuge profile produced by the competitive method for the simple trait-based Bonaire model at steady state.

Proportion of each refuge-using group protected from predation, by body length, at steady state, for the 10-group Karpata Reef model.

Proportion of each refuge-using group protected from predation, by body length, at steady state, for the 10-group Karpata Reef model.

Consumption

Invertebrate consumption of the detrital resource and planktivory are subject to a Holling functional response type II to represent satiation. This relationship is defined by the maximum intake rate, which increases allometrically with body size at rate nn. The parameter hh is the max consumption rate for an invertebrate consumer of size 1 gram. Values for hh were chosen so that invertebrates are neither too starved nor totally satiated.

Only a proportion αi\alpha_i of consumed biomass is retained, while a proportion 1αi1-\alpha_i is expelled in the form of feces, which contribute to the detritus. See the table below for the max consumption rate for invertebrates.

No maximum consumption rate is imposed for predatory or herbivorous groups.

h alpha n
pred_plank 13.36972 0.6 0.75
parrotfish 63.73181 0.6 0.75
farm_damsel 14.99456 0.6 0.75
herbs 58.95293 0.6 0.75
inverts 235.76163 0.6 0.75
Metabolic Losses

The energy losses to metabolic needs are comprised of two components. Standard metabolism occurs at rate ks.ik_{s.i}, scaling allometrically with body size at rate pp. The units of the coefficients ks.ik_{s.i} are grams1p\text{grams}^{1-p} per year. Losses due to activity and movement occur at rate kik_i in grams per year, scaling with body size at rate 11.

ks p k
pred_eng 0.3629290 0.75 0
pred_grab 0.2235502 0.75 0
eels 0.0699183 0.75 0
pred_crypt 0.1500000 0.75 0
pred_inv 0.1710873 0.75 0
pred_plank 0.1114551 0.75 0
parrotfish 0.2897465 0.75 0
farm_damsel 0.1094264 0.75 0
herbs 0.2339976 0.75 0
inverts 0.1000000 0.75 0
Energy Invested into Reproduction

A proportion ψi(w)\psi_i(w) of the energy available for growth and reproduction is used for reproduction. This proportion changes from zero below the weight wmat.iw_{mat.i} of maturation to one at the maximum weight wmax.iw_{max.i}, where all available energy is used for reproduction.

Maturation length and age data were based on the most observed species from each species group in the FORCE data set (Rogers et al. 2014, Williams et al. 2015, 2016, Newman et al. 2015, Dryden 2016).

w_mat w_max age_mat
pred_eng 50.0 1259.571941 2.0
pred_grab 140.0 3915.475510 5.4
eels 300.0 2959.552686 3.0
pred_crypt 0.8 6.242901 NA
pred_inv 50.0 1600.073891 0.5
pred_plank 2.5 110.191125 1.0
parrotfish 63.0 4453.772271 1.6
farm_damsel 1.0 41.540096 1.0
herbs 105.0 1269.327573 2.0
inverts 0.1 675.000000 NA
Somatic growth

Energy that is left over after metabolism and reproduction is invested in somatic growth. The growth rate of an individual of from group ii and weight ww is gi(w)=Er.i(w)(1ψi(w)). g_i(w) = E_{r.i}(w)\left(1-\psi_i(w)\right). {#eq-growth} When food supply does not cover the requirements of metabolism and activity, growth and reproduction stops. There is no negative growth or starvation mortality.

The values for the model parameters were chosen so that the resulting growth curves would be close to von Bertalanffy growth curves. The parameters in the table below were taken from the literature.

k_vb w_max a b
pred_eng 0.40 1259.571941 0.01100 3.06
pred_grab 0.10 3915.475510 0.01740 3.01
eels 0.19 2959.552686 0.00098 3.24
pred_crypt 3.00 6.242901 0.01122 3.04
pred_inv 0.40 1600.073891 0.01200 3.10
pred_plank 0.30 110.191125 0.01259 3.03
parrotfish 0.60 4453.772271 0.01380 3.05
farm_damsel 0.30 41.540096 0.02042 2.97
herbs 0.40 1269.327573 0.02570 2.95
inverts 2.00 675.000000 0.02500 3.00

Here the parameters aa and bb are parameters for the allometric weight-length relationship w=albw = a l^b where ww is measured in grams and ll is measured in centimetres.

Mortality

The mortality rate μi(w)\mu_i(w) of an individual of group ii and weight ww has three sources: predation mortality μp.i(w)\mu_{p.i}(w), external mortality μext.i(w)\mu_{ext.i}(w), fishing mortality μf.i(w)\mu_{f.i}(w). External mortality is composed of residual natural mortality μnat.i(w)\mu_{nat.i}(w), and senescence μsen.i(w)\mu_{sen.i}(w). The mortality rate for group ii is then given by: μi(w)=μp.i(w)+μext.i(w)+μf.i(w) \mu_i(w)=\mu_{p.i}(w)+\mu_{ext.i}(w)+\mu_{f.i}(w) {#eq-mort}

Predation mortality

All consumption by fish translates into corresponding predation mortalities on the ingested prey individuals. the rate at which all predators from jj consume prey of size wpw_p is 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚍_𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚎j(wp)=ϕj(w,wp)γj(w)Nj(w)dw. \mathtt{pred\_rate}_j(w_p) = \int \phi_j(w,w_p) \gamma_j(w) N_j(w) \, dw. {#eq-pred_rate}

The mortality rate due to predation is then obtained as μp.i(wp)=j𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚍_𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚎j(wp)Vji(wp)θji. \mu_{p.i}(w_p) = \sum_j \mathtt{pred\_rate}_j(w_p)\, V_{ji}(w_p)\, \theta_{ji}. {#eq-mup}

Fishing Mortality

Like in mizer, fishing mortality in mizerReef is imposed by fishing gears. The total per-capita fishing mortality (1/year) is obtained by summing over the mortality from all gears,

μf.i(w)=gFg,i(w)\mu_{f.i}(w) = \sum_g F_{g,i}(w)

where the fishing mortality Fg,i(w)F_{g,i}(w) imposed by gear gg on group ii at size ww is calculated as:

Fg,i(w)=Sg,i(w)Qg,iEgF_{g,i}(w) = S_{g,i}(w) Q_{g,i} E_{g}

The constant SS is the selectivity by group, gear and size, QQ is the catchability by group and gear and EE is the fishing effort by gear.

Fishing parameters for mizerReef models can be set up with setFishing(), which contains the details of how to set up gears with different selectivities and catchabilities for each group.

Fishing mortality μf.i(w)\mu_{f.i}(w) is calculated with the function getFMort(). The vignettes were run with following fishing parameters (the table below).

Group Minimum fishing size [g] Catchability [1/year]
pred_eng 50.0 1
pred_grab 140.0 1
eels 300.0 1
pred_crypt 0.8 1
pred_inv 50.0 1
pred_plank 2.5 1
parrotfish 63.0 1
farm_damsel 1.0 1
herbs 105.0 1
inverts 0.1 1

External Mortality

Residual natural mortality

Mortality caused by illness, fishing, or predators not explicitly included in the model is captured by μnat.i(w)\mu_{nat.i}(w), which is independent of group identities and abundances. It is assumed to decrease allometrically with body size:

μnat.i(w)=μnatw1n \mu_{nat.i}(w) = \mu_{nat} w^{1 - n} {#eq-z0} where μnat\mu_{nat} is the residual natural mortality rate and nn is the allometric scaling exponent. We use a residual mortality rate of μnat=\mu_{nat} = 0.2 per year at size 1 gram.

Senescence mortality

Senescence mortality μsen.i(w)\mu_{sen.i}(w) is intended to capture mortality due to illness or old age. It is independent of group abundances. Senescence mortality is assumed to increase allometrically with body size. The rate of senescence mortality is given by:

μsen.i(w)=ksen(log10(w)log10(wmax.i))psen \mu_{sen.i}(w) = k_{sen} \left(\frac{log_{10}(w)} {log_{10}(w_{max.i})}\right)^{p_{sen}} {#eq-extmort} with the ratio floored at zero for w<1w < 1 g. Here ksenk_{sen} (sen_prop) is the rate the curve approaches as wwmax.iw \to w_{max.i}, and psenp_{sen} (sen_curve) controls the steepness with which mortality climbs as individuals approach their maximum size, and wmax.iw_{max.i} is the maximum body size of species group ii in grams.

Senescence mortality due to illness and old age uses ksen=k_{sen} = 0.1 and psen=p_{sen} = 0.3 for this model.

Reproduction

The reproduction parameters ϵi\epsilon_i and Rmax.iR_{max.i} are not directly observable. The values were instead chosen so as to produce steady-state abundances of the groups that are in line with observations and to give reasonable values for the reproduction level.

the table below gives the steady-state reproduction level which is defined as the ratio between the actual reproduction rate RiR_i and the maximal possible reproduction rate Rmax.iR_{\max.i}.

w_min erepro R_max
pred_eng 0.001 0.0078512 0.9775429
pred_grab 0.001 0.0127698 9.6063695
eels 0.001 0.0105685 1.9333590
pred_crypt 0.001 0.0030568 36.1032036
pred_inv 0.001 0.0002371 0.5990943
pred_plank 0.001 0.0751062 20.9574142
parrotfish 0.001 0.0014714 15.3921490
farm_damsel 0.001 12.6637873 24.7707790
herbs 0.001 0.0021280 0.9593467
inverts 0.001 0.0090392 0.3665275

Resources

The fish spectrum is fed by three background resources: plankton , algae, and detritus. Small individuals of all species will feed on plankton while only herbivorous groups and invertebrates feed on algae or detritus. The general mathematical form of the algae and detritus dynamics – a linear production/consumption balance for each pool, solved analytically each time step – was adapted from Delius et al. (2022, de Juan et al. 2023). This is not a direct port: mizerShelf represents its detritus/carrion pools by rescaling the total biomass of mizer’s size-structured background resource spectrum, whereas mizerReef’s algae and detritus are genuinely unstructured scalar pools with their own dedicated encounter-rate matrices, added as independent components via setComponent(). mizerReef also adds coral-reef-specific behaviour with no equivalent in mizerShelf, most notably that algae production is treated as a fixed rate of primary production decoupled from consumer demand rather than tuned to match consumption (see algae_consumption()’s documentation for the ecological rationale and citations).

Plankton

The plankton spectrum NP(w)N_P(w) tracks the abundance all planktonic food sources. This spectrum starts at a smaller size than the fish spectrum in order to provide food for the smallest individuals (larvae) of the fish spectrum.

The plankton spectrum ranges from w0=9×1013w_0=9\times 10^{-13} to wcutoff=0.1w_{cutoff}=0.1 grams. The steady state abundance of plankton at size 1 gram is κ=11.4[g/m2]\kappa=11.4[g/m^{-2}]. The slope of the plankton spectrum is set to λ=2.05\lambda=2.05.

Algae

The algal resource is described only by its total biomass BAB_A. Feeding on algae is not is not size-based. Herbivores can feed on algae of any size. In the steady state the total algal biomass per square meter is BA=4.15×109B_A = 4.15\times 10^{-9} grams.

Algal consumption

For each consumer species ii, a parameter ρA.i\rho_{A.i} determines the rate at which individuals of that species encounter algal biomass. The parameters ρi.A\rho_{i.A} have units of gng^{-n} per year. They are non-zero only for species that consume at least some algae. The preference θi.A\theta_{i.A} for algae is a value between 0 and 1 specifying the proportion of consumer diets that are comprised of algal matter.

rho interaction_algae
parrotfish 40649043272 0.5
farm_damsel 9563740389 0.5
herbs 37601006284 0.5
Algal production

The rate at which algal biomass is produced by the ecosystem is given by a constant growth rate with units of grams per unit area per unit time. At steady state algal production is 2000 grams per square meter per year.

Detritus

Detritus is consumed by herbivores and benthic invertebrates. Feeding on detritus is not size-based as fish can feed on detritus particles of any size. The detritus resource is described only by its total biomass BDB_D. In the steady state the total detrital biomass per square meter is BD=1.143×1010B_D = 1.143\times 10^{-10} grams.

Detrital consumption

For each consumer species ii, a parameter ρD.i\rho_{D.i} determines the rate at which individuals of that species encounter detritus. The parameters ρi.D\rho_{i.D} have units of gng^{-n} per year. They are non-zero only for species that consume at least some detritus. The preference θi.D\theta_{i.D} for detritus is a value between 0 and 1 specifying the proportion of consumer diets comprised of detritus.

rho interaction_detritus
pred_crypt 34409747249 0.5
parrotfish 40649043272 0.5
farm_damsel 9563740389 0.5
herbs 37601006284 0.5
inverts 300744178552 1.0
Detrital production

Detritus comes from defecation and decomposing dead organisms that die as a result of sources of external mortality. At steady state detritus from decomposing dead organisms is 46.09 g/year and defecation produces 284.23 g/year. A proportion ext_decomp of the external mortality and a proportion sen_decomp of senescence mortality decomposes to detritus. The proportion of detritus that sinks from external mortality is 80 % and the proportion that decomposes from senescence mortality is 80 %. These values are based on estimates from Hatcher (1988).

External detritus is generated by unmodelled sources or sinks in from the pelagic zone. At steady state external detritus production is -305.69 g/year. This value is set so that steady state abundances match empirical observations. Where it is negative, feces and mortality are producing more detritus than can be consumed. Detrital biomass is assumed to be washed away by wave action in this case.

Tuning the Steady State

The following R script was used to tune the steady state parameters for this model.

Show the full steady-state calibration script
# Setting up a Caribbean coral reef mizer model with multiple resources
# Model steady state calibration
## Setup - load packages ----------------------------------
library(ggplot2)
library(mizer)
library(mizerExperimental)
library(mizerReef)
library(assertthat)
library(here)

## Load parameters -----------------------------------
karpata_10plus  <- read.csv(here("inst/data-csv/caribbean_10_species.csv"))
karpata_int     <- read.csv(here("inst/data-csv/caribbean_10_interaction.csv"),
                            row.names = 1)
karpata_refuge  <- karpata_refuge
tuning_profile  <- tuning_profile

# Herbivores consume plankton at small sizes and 
#   transition to detritus and algae as they grow
# Invertebrates consume plankton and detritus,
#   with the proportion of detritus increasing with size

## Set model ----------------------------------------
params <- newReefParams(species_params = karpata_10plus,
                        interaction = karpata_int,
                        method = "binned",
                        method_params = tuning_profile)

## Reduce density dependent of reproduction ----------------
rdi <- rep(0.5, dim(karpata_int)[1])

params <- setBevertonHolt(params, reproduction_level = rdi)
getReproductionLevel(params)

## Project to first steady state -------------------------------
params <- params |>
    reefSteady() |> reefSteady() |> reefSteady() |> reefSteady() |>
    reefSteady() |> reefSteady() 

## Calibrate biomasses and growth ---------------------------------
# Match observed species group biomasses
params <- calibrateReefBiomass(params)
params <- matchBiomasses(params)
params <- reefSteady(params)

# Match observed growth rates
params <- matchReefGrowth(params)
params <- reefSteady(params)

# Iterate to refine biomass
params <- params |>
    calibrateReefBiomass() |> matchBiomasses()|> matchReefGrowth()|> 
    reefSteady()|>
    calibrateReefBiomass() |> matchBiomasses()|> matchReefGrowth()|> 
    reefSteady()|>
    calibrateReefBiomass() |> matchBiomasses()|> matchReefGrowth()|> 
    reefSteady()

# Check biomass match
plotBiomassVsSpecies(params) # spot on

# Check match with observed age at maturity
age_mat_observed = karpata_10plus$age_mat
age_mat_model = age_mat(params)
data.frame(age_mat_model, age_mat_observed)
# Closer than needed

# Check predation mortality, feeding levels, and diets
plotPredMort(params) + facet_wrap(~Species)
plotFeedingLevel(params)
plotDiet(params) + scale_x_log10(limits = c(1, 1e4))
plotSpectra(params, power = 1)

## Now switch to competitive method ----------------------------
params <- newRefuge(params,
                    new_method = "competitive",
                    new_method_params = karpata_refuge)

# Match biomasses again
params <- params |>
    matchBiomasses()|> reefSteady()|> 
    matchBiomasses()|> reefSteady()|>
    matchBiomasses()|> reefSteady()|>
    matchBiomasses()|> reefSteady() 

# Make sure new refuge is in place
plotVulnerable(params)

plotBiomassVsSpecies(params) # spot on

# Check match with observed age at maturity
age_mat_observed = karpata_10plus$age_mat
age_mat_model = age_mat(params)
data.frame(age_mat_model, age_mat_observed)
# Still look good

## Check resulting spectra and tune resources------------------------

# Resource looks low - should match sheldon's spectrum
# looks fairly straight not bad but some bumps
plotSpectra(params, total = TRUE, power = 1)
plotSpectra(params, total = TRUE, power = 2)

# plot feeding level to check if resource is too low
plotFeedingLevel(params, species = "inverts")

# Invert feeding level is relatively stable through life, non-linearities
#   are probably due to refuge

# Tune reproduction -----------------------------------------------
# We do not have yield or catch data - can't tune size distribution
# First attempt to set very low to see what the minimum values are
params <- setBevertonHolt(params, erepro = 0.0001)
# Now set setting erepro same for all species, as low as possible
params <- setBevertonHolt(params, erepro = 0.35)
# Project back to steady
params <- reefSteady(params)
# Check reproduction level (value between 0 and 1) - should be higher for
# larger, slow growing species and low for small, fast growing ones
getReproductionLevel(params)
# A reproduction level closer to one means reproduction rate is 
# almost totally independent of the investment into reproduction
# These are near one for all species except farming damsels

# Check comparison of density dependent & independent reduction
getRDI(params) / getRDD(params)
# Reproduction is density independent for almost all species

# Let's increase reproduction level back to 0.5 so there is still some
# density dependence
params <- setBevertonHolt(params, reproduction_level = rdi)

# Iterate to get back to steady state
params <- params |>
    reefSteady()|>
    reefSteady()|>
    reefSteady()

# Check new reproduction - these look better
rep <- getReproductionLevel(params)
getRDI(params) / getRDD(params)

# Check new spectra & plots
plotSpectra(params, total = TRUE, power = 2)
plotPredMort(params) + facet_wrap(~Species)
plotFeedingLevel(params)
plotDiet(params) + scale_x_log10(limits = c(1, 1e4))
plotSpectra(params, power = 1)

# Save!
caribbean_10_model <- reefSteady(params)
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