The maximum yield in a harvested population is achieved when population is at:
A logistic population produces its greatest natural surplus at K/2. Harvesting that increment gives the theoretical maximum yield because dN/dt = rN(1 - N/K) peaks at half carrying capacity. At K the population has no net surplus, while densities much below K/2 contain too few reproductive individuals to generate the maximum increment. Graphically, logistic abundance through time is sigmoid, whereas its instantaneous increment plotted against abundance is a downward-opening parabola. Confusing these two plots leads to incorrect curve descriptions. The time trajectory approaches K, while the pr
Ref: Ecology: Concepts and Applications, Molles, 9th Ed., Ch. 11