Importance of soft canopy structure for labrid fish communities in estuarine mesohabitats

Lier, Joshua R. van; Harasti, David; Laird, Roger; Noble, Mae M.; Fulton, Christopher J.

doi:10.1007/s00227-017-3068-2

Cited by 21 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 62 publications

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“…For example, the lack of a zoning effect for members of the Labridae family (i.e. O. lineolatus, P. laticlavius) is consistent with other studies on labrids, which are more strongly demersal and habitat-associated taxa (Fulton et al 2016, van Lier et al 2017). However, we note that previous size-based assessments for fishery-target species (such as C. auratus) indicate that populations within NTAs can have more large-bodied individuals than fished populations in open zones (Willis et al 2003, Denny et al 2004.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…In locations where NTAs are placed and enforced, fish community composition -particularly targeted families and species -are expected to show a positive response (in terms of abundance and/or local recruitment) to reduced harvest pressure (Barrett et al 2007). However, bottom-up effects from changing habitat conditions can exert strong influences on reef fish community composition across space and time (Curley et al 2002, Fulton & Bellwood 2004, Fulton et al 2016, van Lier et al 2017. In this subset of reefassociated species and sites, we found fish community composition did not significantly differ among NTAs and PPAs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 62%

“…Habitat condition has also emerged as a key metric for considering how to apply spatial conservation and management plans to protect and enhance fish biodiversity and abundance. Habitat condition can have a major influence on reef fish distribution and abundance according to the particular habitat requirements of each species interacting with the availability of microhabitats among sites (Curley et al 2002, Fulton et al 2016, van Lier et al 2017). These habitat effects can be particularly strong in specialist species that are found to strongly prefer certain microhabitat types (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These habitat effects can be particularly strong in specialist species that are found to strongly prefer certain microhabitat types (e.g. N. gymnogenis, O. lineolatus, Pictilabrus laticlavius and O. cyanomelas within kelp canopies; Morton & Gladstone 2011, Fulton et al 2016, van Lier et al 2017). In the present study, variation in percent cover of canopy macroalgae (mostly Ecklonia, with some Sargassum and Phyllospora), sponges and boulder-rock regions (known as 'urchin barrens') were associated with differences in fish community structure.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Through selectivity by individuals seeking shelter and/or food, species may associate with certain habitat types such that changes in habitat quality and quantity translate to variations in fish distribution and abundance across the seascape (Coleman et al 2016, Fulton et al 2016. Benthic habitat formers, such as canopy-forming macroalgae, seagrass, sponges and corals, create key habitats that support juvenile and adult reef fish spe-cies (Teixeira-Neves et al 2015, Smith & Anderson 2016, van Lier et al 2017, Wilson et al 2017. With habitat loss affecting both conservation and harvest use of our coastal areas, there is a strong need to understand the role of habitat condition to facilitate and enhance fish biodiversity, abundance and replenishment (Rodwell et al 2003, Noble et al 2013).…”

Section: Photo: Chris Fultonmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Influence of habitat condition on shallow rocky reef fish community structure around islands and headlands of a temperate marine protected area

Quaas¹,

Harasti²,

Gaston³

et al. 2019

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 62%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Photo: Chris Fultonmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Influence of habitat condition on shallow rocky reef fish community structure around islands and headlands of a temperate marine protected area

Quaas¹,

Harasti²,

Gaston³

et al. 2019

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Substantial advancement in aquaria rearing methods to assist recovery of an Endangered soft coral

Larkin

Davis

Harasti

et al. 2022

Aquatic Conservation

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The temperate soft coral Dendronephthya australis has been listed as Endangered in NSW, Australia, owing to its restricted geographic range, rapidly declining populations, and a number of escalating threats. Research to assess practical methods for aquarium cultivation of D. australis for rehabilitation of wild populations is considered a high priority. Previous attempts at restoration by transplanting D. australis fragments have had limited success, but identified key challenges, which included achieving attachment to substrates and identifying appropriate foods to maximize survival. This study presents the results of experiments promoting the attachment of cuttings (nubbins) removed from donor colonies to moveable substrates (small concrete discs). Using a balanced orthogonal experimental design, three feeding regimes were tested: live artemia, live rotifers and dry powdered zooplankton. Donor colony survival and growth were also monitored over a 6 month period in the field. An overall nubbin survival rate of 100% was achieved under all three feeding regimes. Attachment rates were similar across feeding treatments, although nubbin behavioural responses (percentage of open polyps before feeding) suggested some preference for live rotifers. The cutting removal process had no significant effect on donor colonies in the wild, indicating that this is a sustainable approach for restoration. Overall, this study substantially advances the methodology for maintaining an Endangered azooxanthellate soft coral in aquaria and provides valuable input for management programmes aimed at implementing transplantation into the wild to aid species recovery.

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A regionally scalable habitat typology for assessing benthic habitats and fish communities: Application to New Caledonia reefs and lagoons

Pelletier

Selmaoui-Folcher²,

Bockel

et al. 2020

Ecology and Evolution

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Scalable assessments of biodiversity are required to successfully and adaptively manage coastal ecosystems. Assessments must account for habitat variations at multiple spatial scales, including the small scales (<100 m) at which biotic and abiotic habitat components structure the distribution of fauna, including fishes. Associated challenges include achieving consistent habitat descriptions and upscaling from in situ‐monitored stations to larger scales. We developed a methodology for (a) determining habitat types consistent across scales within large management units, (b) characterizing heterogeneities within each habitat, and (c) predicting habitat from new survey data. It relies on clustering techniques and supervised classification rules and was applied to a set of 3,145 underwater video observations of fish and benthic habitats collected in all reef and lagoon habitats around New Caledonia. A baseline habitat typology was established with five habitat types clearly characterized by abiotic and biotic attributes. In a complex mosaic of habitats, habitat type is an indispensable covariate for explaining spatial variations in fish communities. Habitat types were further described by 26 rules capturing the range of habitat features encountered. Rules provided intuitive habitat descriptions and predicted habitat type for new monitoring observations, both straightforwardly and with known confidence. Images are convenient for interacting with managers and stakeholders. Our scheme is (a) consistent at the scale of New Caledonia reefs and lagoons (1.4 million km 2 ) and (b) ubiquitous by providing data in all habitats, for example, showcasing a substantial fish abundance in rarely monitored soft‐bottom habitats. Both features must be part of an ecosystem‐based monitoring strategy relevant for management. This is the first study applying data mining techniques to in situ measurements to characterize coastal habitats over regional‐scale management areas. This approach can be applied to other types of observations and other ecosystems to characterize and predict local ecological assets for assessments at larger scales.

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Importance of soft canopy structure for labrid fish communities in estuarine mesohabitats

Cited by 21 publications

References 62 publications

Influence of habitat condition on shallow rocky reef fish community structure around islands and headlands of a temperate marine protected area

Influence of habitat condition on shallow rocky reef fish community structure around islands and headlands of a temperate marine protected area

Substantial advancement in aquaria rearing methods to assist recovery of an Endangered soft coral

A regionally scalable habitat typology for assessing benthic habitats and fish communities: Application to New Caledonia reefs and lagoons

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