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Performance of marine reserves for fish and associated ecological functions in the Moreton Bay Marine Park
Book chapter   Peer reviewed

Performance of marine reserves for fish and associated ecological functions in the Moreton Bay Marine Park

Ben Gilby, Andrew D Olds, D Rissik, Christopher J Henderson, R Connolly, Tim Stevens and Thomas Schlacher
Moreton Bay Quandamooka & Catchment: Past, present, and future, pp.579-592
Moreton Bay Foundation Ltd.
2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.8085731
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https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.8085731View
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Abstract

Environmental Science and Management conservation planning coral reef disturbance fisheries habitat offshore seagrass spatial ecology water quality
No-take marine reserves in Moreton Bay were established to conserve and restore the structure and function of marine ecosystems and ensure sustainable social-ecological systems (Ross et al. 2019, this volume). Here, we review published literature to determine our current understanding of how no-take marine reserves (i.e. green zones) benefit fish, and shape ecological functions in numerous ecosystems within the Moreton Bay Marine Park. Over the past decade, 16 peer-reviewed studies have examined 'reserve effects' for fish and associated ecological processes in Moreton Bay; this work was mostly conducted in the central part of the Bay in coral reefs and seagrass meadows. Most studies showed enhanced fish abundance, diversity, or both, inside reserves and increases in the levels of functions performed by fish (e.g. greater grazing rates). The degree to which reserves enhance the abundance of fish and their functions was contingent on two key conditions. Reserves that were better connected (i.e. those in proximity to complementary habitat types and situated in a more complex seascape) and those located in clearer water typically perform better and may also be more resilient. Therefore, these two factors must be strongly considered during future deliberations about expanding or modifying reserves in Moreton Bay. We identify a number of information gaps that are likely to impede improvement to the current network of no-take reserves, namely, research on sandy and muddy bottoms, ocean beaches, fishing outside of reserves, and pivotal ecological functions other than herbivory. Reserve design and future rezoning can take advantage of the considerable body of evidence gathered on factors governing reserve performance for fishes, but reserve effects need to be examined for the numerous habitats that have been overlooked. How reserves shape a broader range of functions, productivity, habitat and ecological resilience needs to be investigated.

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