Bioenergetics Modeling in the 21st Century: Reviewing New Insights and Revisiting Old Constraints

TLDR

Fish bioenergetics models have expanded in recent years, yet their accuracy is limited by parameter uncertainty, though they remain essential for fisheries management. The authors propose a framework emphasizing model evaluation, hypothesis‑based parameter testing, and better communication to reduce uncertainty and advance fish physiology and feeding ecology. The framework comprises systematic model evaluation, hypothesis‑based parameter testing, and enhanced communication between developers and users. Literature reviews reveal frequent poor agreement between model predictions and data, and recent tests indicate that uncertainty is driven by feeding rate, physiological adaptations, and prey composition and abundance.

Abstract

Abstract The development and application of fish bioenergetics models have flourished in recent years, due in part to the complexity of the issues being faced by fisheries biologists. As with any model, the accuracy of bioenergetics models can be hampered by uncertainty in model parameters. A review of the literature showed that field and laboratory tests of bioenergetics models often result in poor agreement between model predictions and independent data. Nonetheless, bioenergetics modeling continues to be used to make important management decisions. Recent tests of model predictions have shown that parameter uncertainty is influenced by factors such as feeding rate, physiological adaptations, and prey composition and abundance. In an attempt to reduce the uncertainty in modeling applications, we propose a framework that highlights the importance of (1) model evaluation, (2) hypothesis‐based parameter testing, and (3) improved communication between model developers and model users. Adherence to this framework will help reduce uncertainty in modeling applications and simultaneously contribute to a broader knowledge of fish physiology and feeding ecology.