title: mizer: an R package for multispecies, trait-based and community size spectrum ecological modelling.
abstract: Size spectrum ecological models are representations of a community of individuals which grow and change trophic level. A key emergent feature of these models is the size spectrum; the total abundance of all individuals that scales negatively with size. The models we focus on are designed to capture fish community dynamics useful for assessing the community impacts of fishing.We presentmizer, an R package for implementing dynamic size spectrum ecological models of an entire aquatic community subject to fishing. Multiple fishing gears can be defined and fishing mortality can change through time making it possible to simulate a range of exploitation strategies and management options.mizerimplements three versions of the size spectrum modelling framework: the community model, where individuals are only characterized by their size; the trait-based model, where individuals are further characterized by their asymptotic size; and the multispecies model where additional trait differences are resolved.A range of plot, community indicator and summary methods are available to inspect the results of the simulations.
authors: Maritime Affairs Unit, IPSC, European Commission Joint Research Centre Via Enrico Fermi 2749, I - 21027, Ispra (VA), Italy ; Centre for the Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0HT, UK.
authors: Finlay
authors: F
authors: Scott
authors: Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield Alfred Denny Building, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK.
authors: Julia L
authors: JL
authors: Blanchard
authors: Centre for Ocean Life, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark 2920 Charlottenlund Slot, Charlottenlund, Denmark.
authors: Ken H
authors: KH
authors: Andersen
keywords: fisheries; multispecies modelling; natural resource management; size spectrum; trophic level