Effective protection of fish on inshore coral reefs depends on the scale of mangrove-reef connectivity

Tyson S H Martin; Andrew D Olds; Kylie A Pitt; Alana B Johnston; Ian R Butler; Paul S Maxwell; Rod M Connolly

doi:10.3354/meps11295

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Effective protection of fish on inshore coral reefs depends on the scale of mangrove-reef connectivity

Journal article

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Effective protection of fish on inshore coral reefs depends on the scale of mangrove-reef connectivity

Tyson S H Martin, Andrew D Olds, Kylie A Pitt, Alana B Johnston, Ian R Butler, Paul S Maxwell and Rod M Connolly

Marine Ecology Progress Series, Vol.527, pp.157-165

2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11295

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Abstract

Australia

conservation planning

coral reef

fish

seascape ecology

mangrove

marine reserve

scale

Connectivity is an important consideration in conservation, but is rarely quantified when assessing marine reserve performance. Mangrove-reef connectivity is known to enhance reserve effectiveness when habitats are close together (<250 m apart). Coral reefs are, however, often farther from mangroves, making it difficult to integrate mangrove-reef connectivity into conservation more widely. To determine if connectivity affects reserve performance beyond 250 m, we examined effects on reef fish in Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia. Reserves affected fish assemblages and enhanced the abundances of harvested species and key functional groups on reefs within 500 m of mangroves (about 10 times greater inside reserves), but not on isolated reefs. Connectivity can affect reserve performance over broader distances than previously shown. We suggest that connectivity effects on inshore reef fish may simply be amplified on reefs located closest to adjacent mangroves, provided those reefs are within the migratory capabilities of fish. Mangrove-reef connectivity should be viewed as an important conservation target and may be broadly incorporated into reserve design by prioritizing the protection of seascapes where mangroves and reefs are closest.

Details

Title: Effective protection of fish on inshore coral reefs depends on the scale of mangrove-reef connectivity
Authors: Tyson S H Martin (Author) - Griffith University
Andrew D Olds (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Kylie A Pitt (Author) - Griffith University
Alana B Johnston (Author) - Griffith University
Ian R Butler (Author) - University of Queensland
Paul S Maxwell (Author) - Griffith University
Rod M Connolly (Author) - Griffith University
Publication details: Marine Ecology Progress Series, Vol.527, pp.157-165
Publisher: Inter-Research
Date published: 2015
DOI: 10.3354/meps11295
ISSN: 0171-8630
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450053702621
Output Type: Journal article

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