Harvesting can magnify the destabilizing effects of environmental
perturbations on population dynamics and, thereby, increase extinction
risk. However, population-dynamic theory predicts that impacts of
harvesting depend on the type and strength of density-dependent
regulation. Here, we used logistic population growth models and an
empirical reindeer case study to show that low to moderate harvesting
can actually buffer populations against environmental perturbations.
This occurs because of density-dependent environmental stochasticity,
where negative environmental impacts on vital rates are amplified at
high population density due to intraspecific resource competition.
Simulations from our population models show that even low levels of
harvesting may prevent overabundance, thereby dampening population
fluctuations and reducing the risk of population collapse and
quasi-extinction following environmental perturbations. Thus, depending
on the species' life history and the strength of density-dependent
environmental drivers, low to moderate harvesting can improve population
resistance to increased climate variability and extreme weather expected
under global warming.