Dissertation
Quantifying functional diversity of coastal fishes to inform conservation and management for ecosystem functioning
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00812
Abstract
Functional diversity, defined as the variation in the traits of individuals, populations and assemblages, provides information overlooked by traditional biodiversity measures. Variation in the ecological traits of species may alter their roles in supporting the maintenance of ecological functions and modify how ecosystems respond to disturbance, or change in response to management interventions. The trait characteristics of individuals may also differ ontogenetically or in response to spatial or environmental gradients. The functional diversity and intra-specific trait values of fish assemblages in coastal seas, however, remain poorly understood.
Research on the functional diversity of coastal fish assemblages (n = 58 studies) is geographically widespread, encompassing a variety of themes across most seascapes. There is, however, considerable uncertainty surrounding the functional diversity of coastal fish assemblages, which results from major inconsistencies in the approaches that have been used to calculate functional diversity (36 different metrics). Most research on functional diversity has focussed on multidimensional space metrics, including functional richness, evenness and divergence (32 studies), which are also widely accepted to be the best techniques for describing functional diversity. Research effort has been concentrated on continental margin and coral reef seascapes, while the functional diversity of coastal fishes has rarely been examined in estuarine, shallow substrate, rocky reef and kelp, and exposed coastline seascapes. Functional diversity can be modified by spatial and environmental gradients, as well as natural disturbances, but results are inconsistent and differ among seascapes. The potential consequences of human impacts, conservation initiatives and restoration actions for functional diversity are rarely measured, highlighting the need for future work to inform conservation and management decisions that focus on ecosystem functioning and ecological resilience.
Details
- Title
- Quantifying functional diversity of coastal fishes to inform conservation and management for ecosystem functioning
- Authors
- Sarah Thackwray - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science and Engineering - Legacy
- Contributors
- Andrew Olds (Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringBen Gilby (Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringChristopher Henderson (Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Awarding institution
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Degree awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- DOI
- 10.25907/00812
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99996898902621
- Output Type
- Dissertation
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