Anthropogenic disturbance contributes to the loss of key fish functional groups and modifies functional richness on fringing reefs in Fiji

Christopher J. Henderson; Jesse D. Mosman; Helen Sykes; Anish Maharaj; Susan Nuske; Ken Kassem; Kelera Macedru; Andrew D. Olds; Ben L. Gilby; Lucy A. Goodridge Gaines; Ashley J. Rummell; Paul S. Maxwell

doi:10.1007/s00338-026-02927-7

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Anthropogenic disturbance contributes to the loss of key fish functional groups and modifies functional richness on fringing reefs in Fiji

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Anthropogenic disturbance contributes to the loss of key fish functional groups and modifies functional richness on fringing reefs in Fiji

Christopher J. Henderson, Jesse D. Mosman, Helen Sykes, Anish Maharaj, Susan Nuske, Ken Kassem, Kelera Macedru, Andrew D. Olds, Ben L. Gilby, Lucy A. Goodridge Gaines, …

Coral Reefs, Vol.Advanced access

13-Jul-2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-026-02927-7

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Abstract

Coral reef, fish

Diversity

Piscivore

Sedimentation

Subsistence fishing

Maintaining biodiversity is crucial for maximising ecosystem resilience. Despite this, anthropogenic disturbances are driving global biodiversity declines that are heightened in vulnerable ecosystems like coral reefs. Coral reefs are impacted by sedimentation, overfishing and habitat degradation, which impacts biodiversity and therefore the range of functional roles of the reef fish that they support. To evaluate how anthropogenic disturbances influence the functional richness of fish and the distribution of key functional groups, we surveyed coral reef fish assemblages across 135 sites in Beqa Lagoon, Fiji, using remote underwater video systems. We found species richness and total abundance were typically greatest when coral extent within a 500-m buffer around a site was approximately 40,000 m2 and when a site was 20 km from the river mouth. Corallivore, piscivore and zooplanktivore abundance were positively correlated with fish functional richness. Sites greater than 20 km from a major river had greater functional richness, while corallivore abundance was highest farther from villages. Piscivore abundance was highest at sites with moderate coral reef extent and zooplanktivore abundance was highest at sites that were at a moderate distance from the river. Given these patterns, anthropogenic disturbance is one of the key drivers of functional richness decline on coral reefs. Managing coral reef resilience within the region should therefore focus on reducing sediment and nutrient runoff and implementing fishing regulations that maintain ecological stability and resilience. More thoroughly accounting for change in functional diversity when monitoring impacts and considering conservation strategies can help to safeguard coral reefs.

Details

Title: Anthropogenic disturbance contributes to the loss of key fish functional groups and modifies functional richness on fringing reefs in Fiji
Authors: Christopher J. Henderson (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Jesse D. Mosman - University of the Sunshine Coast
Helen Sykes - Marine Ecology Consulting (Fiji)
Anish Maharaj - Spatial Works (Fiji)
Susan Nuske - Alluvium (Australia)
Ken Kassem - Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme
Kelera Macedru - Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme
Andrew D. Olds - University of the Sunshine Coast
Ben L. Gilby - University of the Sunshine Coast
Lucy A. Goodridge Gaines - University of the Sunshine Coast
Ashley J. Rummell - University of the Sunshine Coast
Paul S. Maxwell - Alluvium (Australia)
Publication details: Coral Reefs, Vol.Advanced access
Publisher: Springer
DOI: 10.1007/s00338-026-02927-7
ISSN: 1432-0975
Copyright note: This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
Data Availability: Data from this manuscript can be made available upon reasonable request to the contributing author.
Grant note: This project was funded in partnership with the Fiji Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) through the By-catch and Integrated Ecosystem Management (BIEM) Initiative of the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Programme funded by the European Union and the Government of Sweden.
Organisation Unit: School of Health - Biomedicine; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991246280502621
Output Type: Journal article

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