Habitat connectivity improves reserve performance

Andrew D Olds; R M Connolly; K A Pitt; P S Maxwell

doi:10.1111/j.1755-263X.2011.00204.x

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Habitat connectivity improves reserve performance

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Habitat connectivity improves reserve performance

Andrew D Olds, R M Connolly, K A Pitt and P S Maxwell

Conservation Letters, Vol.5(1), pp.56-63

2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-263X.2011.00204.x

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Abstract

Australia

conservation planning

coral reef

ecosystem function

fish

landscape

mangrove

Connectivity is now a common consideration in conservation planning, but we need further empirical evidence for the role of connectivity in catalyzing reserve function. We examined whether connectivity improved reserve performance by investigating how isolation between coral reefs and mangroves influenced fish assemblages inside and outside a reserve in Moreton Bay, Australia. Connectivity greatly enhanced reserve performance, with close reserve habitats supporting more harvested fish, and a greater abundance of both piscivores and herbivores than similar nonreserve locations. Close reserve habitats also contained fewer prey fish than nonreserve locations. In contrast, fish abundance in isolated reserve habitats did not differ from similar nonreserve locations. We demonstrate that connectivity can improve the performance of a reserve in promoting fish abundance. We highlight its importance for maintaining ecological processes in reserves and advocate the prioritization of areas of similarly connected habitat for conservation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Details

Title: Habitat connectivity improves reserve performance
Authors: Andrew D Olds (Author) - Griffith University
R M Connolly (Author) - Griffith University
K A Pitt (Author) - Griffith University
P S Maxwell (Author) - Griffith University
Publication details: Conservation Letters, Vol.5(1), pp.56-63
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Date published: 2012
DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-263X.2011.00204.x
ISSN: 1755-263X
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449073502621
Output Type: Journal article

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