Reef Fish Ecology and Grouper Conservation and Management

AbstractIn recent decades, fish ecologists have become increasingly aware of the need for spatially comprehensive sampling. However, a corresponding reflection on the temporal aspects of research has been lacking. We quantified the seasonal timing and extent of freshwater fish research. Since reviewing all prior work was not feasible, we considered two different subsets. First, we compiled the last 30 years of ecological research on juvenile Pacific salmon and trout (Oncorhynchus spp.) (n = 371 studies). In addition to the aggregate, we compared groups classified by subject matter. Next, to evaluate whether riverscape ecology has embraced space at the expense of time, we compiled research across taxa in which fish were enumerated in a spatially continuous fashion (n = 46). We found that ecological Oncorhynchus spp. research was biased towards summer (40% occurred during June-August) and the month of June in particular, at the expense of winter work (only 13% occurred during December-February). Riverscape studies were also biased toward summer (47% of studies) and against winter (11%). It was less common for studies to encompass multiple seasons (43% of ecological Oncorhynchus spp. studies and 54% of riverscape studies) and most were shorter than 4 months (73% of ecological Oncorhynchus spp. studies and 81% of riverscape studies). These temporal biases may cause researchers to overemphasize ecological phenomena observed during summer and limit our ability to recognize seasonal interactions such as carry-over effects or compensatory responses. Full year and winter studies likely hold valuable insights for conservation and management.

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Ecology of Australian Freshwater Fishes

10.1071/9780643097445 ◽

2013 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Keyword(s):

Freshwater Fishes ◽

Fish Ecology ◽

The World ◽

The Face ◽

Australian Fish ◽

Patterns And Processes ◽

Fish Habitats ◽

Australian Freshwater ◽

Present Understanding ◽

Conservation And Management

This edited volume reviews our past and present understanding of the ecology of Australian freshwater fishes. It compares patterns and processes in Australia with those on other continents, discusses the local relevance of ecological models from the northern hemisphere and considers how best to manage our species and their habitats in the face of current and future threats. In view of these challenges, the need for redress is urgent. The chapters are written by some of our foremost researchers and managers, developing themes that underpin our knowledge of the ecology, conservation and management of fish and fish habitats. For each theme, the authors formulate a synthesis of what is known, consider the need for new perspectives and identify gaps and opportunities for research, monitoring and management. The themes have an Australian context but draw upon ideas and principles developed by fish biologists in other parts of the world. The science of freshwater fish ecology in Australia has grown rapidly from its roots in natural history and taxonomy. This book offers an introduction for students, researchers and managers, one that the authors hope will carry Australian fish biology and resource management to new levels of understanding.

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Otolith Applications in Reef Fish Ecology

Coral Reef Fishes ◽

10.1016/b978-012615185-5/50015-3 ◽

2002 ◽

pp. 243-264 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Simon R. Thorrold ◽

Jonathan A. Hare

Keyword(s):

Reef Fish ◽

Fish Ecology

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Physical, biological and human-induced effects on the reef fishes of Fernando de Noronha archipelago, Brazil

Pesquisa e Ensino em Ciências Exatas e da Natureza ◽

10.29215/pecen.v1i1.175 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 68

Author(s):

Paulo Roberto De Medeiros ◽

Ana Maria Alves De Medeiros

Keyword(s):

Reef Fish ◽

Important Determinant ◽

Reef Fishes ◽

Positive Influence ◽

Fish Ecology ◽

Relative Importance ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Fernando De Noronha ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Number Of Individuals

Vários fatores têm o potencial de influenciar a distribuição e a composição das comunidades de peixes recifais. Entre os mais importantes estão a rugosidade, a exposição às ondas, a cobertura do substrato e as atividades humanas. O presente estudo avaliou a influência desses fatores nos peixes recifais de áreas com um gradiente de restrição a atividades humanas no arquipélago Fernando de Noronha, nordeste do Brasil e determinou suas importâncias relativas para a ecologia de peixes recifais. A rugosidade não influenciou a riqueza de peixes, mas influenciou o número de indivíduos, de jovens e de espécies residentes, enquanto a cobertura bêntica não pareceu ser um determinante importante para quaisquer das variáveis de peixes avaliadas. Esses resultados sugerem que a disponibilidade de abrigo (proteção física) é mais limitante que a disponibilidade de alimento (i.e. cobertura bêntica). Além disso, hidrodinamismo apresentou valores relativamente baixos, porém, influenciando negativamente os peixes. As atividades recreativas, apesar de aparentemente não-impactantes, tiveram um efeito negativo na abundância de peixes, com a área parcialmente protegida (Atalaia) mostrando uma estrutura semelhante à área não-protegida (Porto). Esses resultados sugerem que a presença humana, mesmo em áreas fiscalizadas, pode interferir na estrutura dos peixes recifais. É necessário uma proposta de gestão e de práticas de turismo de baixo impacto especialmente nas áreas parcialmente protegidas e não-protegidas. Palavras chave: Oceano Atlântico, cobertura bêntica, peixes recifais, hidrodinamismo, turismo. Abstract: Several factors have the potential to influence the distribution and composition of reef fish communities. Amongst the most important are rugosity, wave exposure, substrate cover and human activities. The present study evaluated the influence of these factors on reef fishes from sites following a gradient of human-induced effects on the Fernando de Noronha archipelago, northeast Brazil and determined their relative importance to reef fish ecology. Rugosity did not influence fish richness, but had a positive influence on number of individuals, juveniles and endemic species, whereas benthic cover did not seem to be an important determinant for any fish variable evaluated. These results suggest that availability of shelter (physical protection) is more limiting than availability of food (i.e. benthic cover). Furthermore, water flow showed somewhat low values, but even so, had negative effects on fish numbers. Recreational activities, albeit seemingly non-impacting, had a negative effect on fish abundance with the partially protected site (Atalaia) showing a similar community structure to the unrestricted site (Porto). These results suggest that human presence, even when supervised, may interfere on reef fish structure. Low-impact tourism practices are required especially in partially protected and unprotected areas.Key words: Atlantic Ocean, benthic cover, reef fishes, hydrodynamics, tourism.

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Corals in the Anthropocene

Coral Whisperers ◽

10.1525/california/9780520298842.003.0002 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 23-30

Author(s):

Irus Braverman

Keyword(s):

Middle East ◽

Coral Reefs ◽

Faculty Member ◽

Reef Fish ◽

New Hampshire ◽

Professor Emeritus ◽

Fish Ecology ◽

The Caribbean ◽

The University ◽

University Of New Hampshire

Peter F. Sale is a marine ecologist. He has been a faculty member at the University of Sydney, Australia; the University of New Hampshire, USA; and the University of Windsor, Canada, where he is currently professor emeritus. His research in Hawai‘i, Australia, the Caribbean, and the Middle East has focused primarily on reef fish ecology and on the management of coral reefs. In his 2011 book ...

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