Seascape context modifies how fish respond to restored oyster reef structures

Ben Gilby; Andrew D Olds; Christopher J Henderson; Nicholas L Ortodossi; Rod M Connolly; Thomas Schlacher

doi:10.1093/icesjms/fsz019

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Seascape context modifies how fish respond to restored oyster reef structures

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Seascape context modifies how fish respond to restored oyster reef structures

Ben Gilby, Andrew D Olds, Christopher J Henderson, Nicholas L Ortodossi, Rod M Connolly and Thomas Schlacher

ICES Journal of Marine Science, Vol.76(4), pp.1131-1139

2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsz019

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Abstract

mangroves

Noosa River

seagrass

seascape

The seascape context of coastal ecosystems plays a pivotal role in shaping patterns in fish recruitment, abundance, and diversity. It might also be a principal determinant in structuring the recruitment of fish assemblages to restored habitats, but the trajectories of these relationships require further testing. In this study, we surveyed fish assemblages from 14 restored oyster reefs and 14 control sites in the Noosa River, Queensland, Australia, that differed in the presence or absence of seagrass within 500 m, over four periods using baited cameras. Fish assemblages at oyster reefs differed from those at control sites, with higher species richness (1.4 times) and more individuals of taxa that are harvested by fishers (1.8 times). The presence or absence of seagrass nearby affected the abundance of a key harvestable fish species (yellowfin bream Acanthopagrus australis) on oyster reefs, but not the overall composition of fish assemblages, species richness, or the total abundance of harvestable fishes overall. These findings highlight the importance of considering species-specific patterns in seascape utilization when selecting restoration sites and setting restoration goals, and suggest that the effects of restoration on fish assemblages might be optimized by focusing efforts in prime positions in coastal seascapes.

Details

Title: Seascape context modifies how fish respond to restored oyster reef structures
Authors: Ben Gilby (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Science & Engineering
Andrew D Olds (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Science & Engineering
Christopher J Henderson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Science & Engineering
Nicholas L Ortodossi (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Science & Engineering
Rod M Connolly (Author) - Griffith University
Thomas Schlacher (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Science & Engineering
Publication details: ICES Journal of Marine Science, Vol.76(4), pp.1131-1139
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Date published: 2019
DOI: 10.1093/icesjms/fsz019
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: 99451235802621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Fisheries; Marine & Freshwater Biology; Oceanography

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