Abstract

1. A dynamical and spatial simulation model of a harvested benthic ecosystem of central northern Chile (Tongoy Bay) was constructed using the ECOSPACE software package. 2. In this system the red alga (Chondrocanthus chamissoi), the scallop (Argopecten pupuratus), the gastropod (Xanthochorus cassidiformis) and the crab (Cancer polyodon) are harvested intensively. The impacts of harvesting these resources exclusively in the seagrass, sand-gravel, and in the sand habitats, as well as, in the seagrass and sand-gravel and in all habitats were assessed. The goal was to explore policies of sustainable exploitation of the benthic systems. 3. The most important findings were: (a) Fishing exclusively in either the seagrass or sand habitats produces a population increase in the sea star Luidia magallanica, in the seagrass Heterozostera tasmanica, and in the crab Paraxanthus barbiger. (b) Exclusive fishing in the sand-gravel habitat causes only small effects on the species and groups, which suggests that this habitat is the most resistant to harvest. (c) The simultaneous fishing on two or three habitats would produce the largest negative effect on the entire system. Therefore, a habitat rotation fishery is recommended. 4. Our study suggests that trophic-spatially explicit models offer great possibilities for the screening and planning of effective interventions or manipulations of natural systems. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.