Seascape connectivity exerts differing effects for fish assemblages in distinct habitats of the surf zones of ocean beaches

Jesse D Mosman; Christopher J Henderson; Andrew D Olds; Ben Gilby; Thomas Schlacher

doi:10.1093/icesjms/fsaa018

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Seascape connectivity exerts differing effects for fish assemblages in distinct habitats of the surf zones of ocean beaches

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Seascape connectivity exerts differing effects for fish assemblages in distinct habitats of the surf zones of ocean beaches

Jesse D Mosman, Christopher J Henderson, Andrew D Olds, Ben Gilby and Thomas Schlacher

ICES Journal of Marine Science, Vol.77(3), pp.1033-1042

2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsaa018

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Abstract

coastal urbanization

estuary

ocean beaches

exposure

rocky reef

Animals move throughout coastal seascapes to disperse, feed, and spawn, including the surf zones of ocean beaches. Yet, the influences of seascape context on surf-zone fish are largely unquantified. We sampled surf-zone fish assemblages with baited remote underwater video deployments at 25 beaches across 50 km of coastline in eastern Australia to determine if variation in the spatial configuration of broader coastal seascapes shapes fish assemblages in different surf-zone habitats. We show that surf zones are not homogenous fish habitats, with offshore bars and nearshore troughs having distinct fish assemblages, shaped by different environmental variables. Fish assemblages of offshore bars were characterized by greater species richness and a higher abundance of indicator species (as identified by Dufrene-Legendre indicator species analysis) when close to rocky reefs and estuaries. In contrast, fish assemblages of nearshore troughs were characterized by greater species richness and a higher abundance of indicator species when far from estuaries, and off wider beaches. Our results highlight the importance of seascape connectivity in structuring surf-zone fish assemblages. Consequently, management approaches need to more thoroughly quantify the effects of seascape connectivity over smaller spatial scales and consider surf zones as key components of broader coastal habitat mosaics.

Details

Title: Seascape connectivity exerts differing effects for fish assemblages in distinct habitats of the surf zones of ocean beaches
Authors: Jesse D Mosman (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science and Engineering - Legacy
Christopher J Henderson (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science and Engineering - Legacy
Andrew D Olds (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science and Engineering - Legacy
Ben Gilby (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science and Engineering - Legacy
Thomas Schlacher (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science and Engineering - Legacy
Publication details: ICES Journal of Marine Science, Vol.77(3), pp.1033-1042
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Date published: 2020
DOI: 10.1093/icesjms/fsaa018
ISSN: 1054-3139
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450830202621
Output Type: Journal article

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