Fine-scale habitat use and behavior of a nearshore fish community: nursery functions, predation avoidance, and spatiotemporal habitat partitioning

Munsch, Stuart H.; Cordell, Jeffery R.; Toft, Jason D.

doi:10.3354/meps11862

Cited by 67 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Keats & Steele (1992), Laurel et al (2007) and Tupper & Boutilier (1995b) also observed ontogenetic shifts to more rugose substrata with increased size. Older (age-1+) and larger gadoids have, however, been observed to move into deeper, less rugose substrata with size (Cote et al 2008, Munsch et al 2016. Ontogenetic shifts within the size range observed highlights the importance of substrata of sufficient rugosity relative to the size of the individual and that multiple substratum types may be needed by the same species (Nagelkerken et al 2013, Elliott et al 2016b.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Juvenile gadoid habitat and ontogenetic shift observations using stereo-video baited cameras

Elliott¹,

Turrell²,

Heath³

et al. 2017

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The protection of species requires an understanding of their habitat requirements and how habitat characteristics affect their distribution, survival and growth. This need is especially important in areas where anthropogenic pressures can not only have a significant direct impact on the survival of the species but also damage their habitat. The Firth of Clyde in southwestern Scotland was an important commercial fishing area for a variety of demersal fish species up until 1973. However, stocks rapidly declined thereafter and the catch of targeted species ceased in 2005, despite fisheries measures put in place to aid recovery. Changes in the availability and quality of fish habitat are possible explanations for this lack of recovery. Here, we report on stereo baited remote underwater video surveys in the Firth of Clyde between June and September in 2013 and 2014 to determine the habitat of juvenile Atlantic cod Gadus morhua, haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus and whiting Merlangius merlangus. Habitat predictor variables explored included substratum type, depth, wave fetch, and epibenthic and demersal fauna diversity. G. morhua were most abundant in shallow, sheltered areas composed of gravel−pebble containing maerl. M. aeglefinus and M. merlangus predominated over deeper sand and mud. Ontogenetic shifts in all 3 species were also observed. Relative abundances of G. morhua and M. merlangus were positively related to the diversity of epibenthic and demersal fauna. Our results indicate that spatial conservation measures to benefit demersal fish should be advised by patterns of epibenthic and demersal fauna diversity as well as physical substratum types.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Juvenile gadoid habitat and ontogenetic shift observations using stereo-video baited cameras

Elliott¹,

Turrell²,

Heath³

et al. 2017

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…Intertidal areas are often used for spawning (DeMartini ), and armouring can limit this function by eliminating substrate used for egg deposition (Balouskus & Targett ), or by replacing spawning beaches with unvegetated, impervious substrates that increase embryo mortality through excessive exposure to sunlight, heat and dryness (Rice ). Furthermore, naturally sloped intertidal zones can support scaled ontogenetic habitat shifts, whereby fish use incrementally deeper habitats as they grow (Munsch, Cordell & Toft ). These shifts may occur because larger predators are uncommon in extreme shallows, larger fish are less vulnerable to predation and fish balance the safety of shallows with other benefits of maximizing habitat use (e.g.…”

Section: Documented Effects Of Shoreline Armouring On Fishmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Compared to armoured shorelines, these features provided greater densities of some epibenthic and terrestrial prey, and, in some years, greater densities of larval fish, juvenile fish and incidence of fish feeding behaviour. Their shallow sloping waters provided a gradient of depths used by different ontogenetic stages of fish, whereas these ontogenetic habitat shifts were not observed along shorelines where armouring eliminated shallows (Munsch, Cordell & Toft ). Other designs that have yet to be evaluated in the context of fish habitat include ‘habitat skirts’ that create shallow‐water shelves along pier margins (Slogan ), rock pools in seawalls (Chapman & Blockley ), adding texture and relief to seawalls (Cordell et al .…”

Section: Documented and Prospective Opportunities To Improve Modifiedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of shoreline armouring and overwater structures on coastal and estuarine fish: opportunities for habitat improvement

Munsch

Cordell

Toft

2017

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Summary Nearshore ecosystems are increasingly recognized as critical habitats for fish of cultural, ecological and economic significance. These ecosystems are often densely inhabited by juvenile fish, highly productive and refuges from predation, leading ecologists to characterize them as nurseries. However, nearshore ecosystems are being transformed globally to support demands of growing coastal populations. Many shorelines are modified by armouring (e.g. seawalls, riprap) that minimizes erosion, and overwater structures (e.g. piers, docks) that facilitate waterfront use. These modifications affect the ecology of nearshore systems by restructuring, eliminating and shading shallow waters. Here, we review literature examining effects of armouring and overwater structures on coastal and estuarine fishes, and discuss how research and management can coordinate to minimize negative effects. Along armoured shorelines, fish assemblages differed from unarmoured sites, fish consumed less epibenthic and terrestrial prey, beach spawning was less successful and fish were larger. Under large overwater structures, visually oriented fish were less abundant and they fed less. Shade from overwater structures also interrupted localized movements of migratory fish. Thus, shoreline modifications impaired habitats by limiting feeding, reproduction, ontogenetic habitat shifts from shallow to deeper waters and connectivity. Research suggests that restoring shallow waters and substrate complexity, and minimizing shading underneath overwater structures, can rehabilitate habitats compromised by shoreline modifications. Synthesis and applications. Shoreline armouring and overwater structures often compromise fish habitats. These threats to nearshore fish habitats will become more severe as growing coastal populations and rising sea levels increase demands for shoreline infrastructure. Our ability to assess and rehabilitate nearshore fish habitats along modified shorelines will be enhanced by: focusing research attention on metrics that directly indicate fish habitat quality; implementing and evaluating shoreline features that repair compromised habitat functions within human‐use constraints; collating natural history knowledge of nearshore ecosystems; and embracing the socio‐ecological nature of habitat improvements by educating the public about conservation efforts and fostering appreciation of local nearshore ecosystems. Actions to reduce impacts of shoreline modifications on fish are particularly feasible when they align with societal goals, such as improving flood protection and providing spaces that facilitate recreation, education, and connections between people and nature.

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“…Abundances of zooplankton, juvenile salmonids, and forage fishes were sampled during June–August (annual sampling intensity is described in Table ), a seasonal window during which kelp is productive and Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, and forage fishes are abundant near the surface of nearshore waters (Munsch et al. ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Kelp Forest Zooplankton, Forage Fishes, and Juvenile Salmonids of the Northeast Pacific Nearshore

Shaffer¹,

Munsch²,

Cordell

2020

Mar Coast Fish

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Kelp forests are an important ecological component of temperate coastal systems that are sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance and are in decline in many locations globally. In the northeastern Pacific Ocean off the coast of Washington, USA, bull kelp Nereocystis luetkeana forests are seasonally used by juvenile salmonids and forage fishes; however, details on ecosystem functional linkages for forage fishes and salmonids are not well quantified. Using a zooplankton drop net and snorkel surveys for fishes, we sampled two bull kelp forests across multiple years. Our goal was to quantify differences in the communities of zooplankton, juvenile salmonids (Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and Coho Salmon O. kisutch), and forage fishes (Pacific Herring Clupea pallasii, Surf Smelt Hypomesus pretiosus, and Pacific Sand Lance Ammodytes hexapterus) between kelp forests and adjacent nonkelp (open‐water) habitats. We tested the hypothesis that zooplankton common in the diets of surface‐oriented forage fishes and juvenile salmonids would be more abundant in kelp than in open water. At the overall assemblage level of organization, kelp and open‐water habitats had similarly abundant and diverse zooplankton communities. However, decapods and phytal‐associated harpacticoid copepods within this assemblage (i.e., groups that are an important component of fish diets) were significantly more abundant in kelp forests than in open‐water habitat. Greater presence and abundance of zooplankton, juvenile salmonids, and forage fishes in kelp forests compared to adjacent open‐water habitats suggest that kelp forests are important for culturally and economically valuable forage fishes and salmonids and warrant further study to define and conserve their ecosystem function.

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Fine-scale habitat use and behavior of a nearshore fish community: nursery functions, predation avoidance, and spatiotemporal habitat partitioning

Cited by 67 publications

References 30 publications

Juvenile gadoid habitat and ontogenetic shift observations using stereo-video baited cameras

Juvenile gadoid habitat and ontogenetic shift observations using stereo-video baited cameras

Effects of shoreline armouring and overwater structures on coastal and estuarine fish: opportunities for habitat improvement

Kelp Forest Zooplankton, Forage Fishes, and Juvenile Salmonids of the Northeast Pacific Nearshore

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