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Moustaka M, Robbins WD, Wilson SK, Wakefield C, Cuttler MV, O'Leary MJ, Evans RD. Seascape effects on the nursery function of macroalgal habitats. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 202:106767. [PMID: 39368155 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 09/05/2024] [Accepted: 09/23/2024] [Indexed: 10/07/2024]
Abstract
Understanding how seascape configuration influences nursery function is important for spatial management and conservation of essential habitats. Here, we examine how local habitat, seascape, and environmental factors influence demographic metrics of juvenile Lethrinus punctulatus and assess spatial variation in macroalgae nursery function. We quantified abundance, biomass, and productivity of juvenile L. punctulatus over three years and estimated size-at-age and condition from collected fish. Abundance, biomass, productivity, and size-at-age exhibited significant spatial variation, although each pattern was best explained by different factors. Lethrinus punctulatus were most abundant in macroalgae-rich seascapes, whereas biomass and productivity peaked where macroalgal cover and water temperatures were high. Conversely, fish exhibited the greatest average daily growth at sites near coral reefs. Processes contributing to spatial variation in size-at-age occur prior to fish reaching ∼5 cm in length and may be due to differences in resource availability, size at settlement, or size-selective mortality. Our findings suggest habitat and resource availability constrain L. punctulatus abundance and productivity, while size-at-age is influenced by size-selective mortality and prey quality. Thus, while seascape configuration can affect nursery function, the degree of influence will depend on the processes involved, emphasising the value of considering multiple metrics when identifying nurseries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Moustaka
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia; The Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia; Marine Science Program, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA, 6151, Australia.
| | - William D Robbins
- Marine Science Program, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA, 6151, Australia; Wildlife Marine, Perth, WA, 6019, Australia
| | - Shaun K Wilson
- The Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia; Australian Institute of Marine Science, Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Corey Wakefield
- Western Australian Fisheries and Marine Research Laboratories, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia, North Beach, WA, 6020, Australia
| | - Michael Vw Cuttler
- The Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia; Oceans Graduate School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Michael J O'Leary
- The Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia; Centre for Energy Geoscience, School of Earth Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Richard D Evans
- The Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia; Marine Science Program, Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA, 6151, Australia
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von Hammerstein H, Fett TM, Ferse SCA, Helfer V, Kininmonth S, Bejarano S. Individual mangrove trees provide alternative reef fish habitat on backreefs. Sci Rep 2024; 14:18574. [PMID: 39127710 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-69524-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Mangrove trees occur in a variety of geomorphic and sedimentary settings. Yet, studies investigating their role as habitat providers often focus on the most common biophysical types, such as deltaic, estuarine, open coast or lagoonal mangroves on soft sediments, disregarding less typical environments. Here, we investigated the influence of individual mangrove trees growing on a consolidated backreef system (Laucala Bay, Fiji) on habitat use by reef fishes. Combining field surveys and an experiment, we quantified the extent to which reef mangrove trees serve as habitat for solitary or shoaling reef fishes. Using mangrove tree mimics, we disentangled effects attributable to the physical structure of trees from those related to their bio-chemical properties. We found that fish numbers were 3.7 times higher within close proximity to the mangrove trees than at control sites and correlated significantly with root system perimeter. The roots of larger trees sheltered aggregations of juveniles and adults at incoming and high tides. Mangrove trees and mimics attracted fishes alike. We show that mangrove trees on backreefs provide habitat for shoaling and adult reef fishes in addition to serving as nursery areas, an ecosystem service otherwise lacking on backreef areas with low structural complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah von Hammerstein
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry (FB2), University of Bremen, Bibliothekstraße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany.
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), Fahrenheitstraße 6, 28359, Bremen, Germany.
- Department of Geography & Environment, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA.
| | - Theresa-Marie Fett
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry (FB2), University of Bremen, Bibliothekstraße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), Fahrenheitstraße 6, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Sebastian C A Ferse
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry (FB2), University of Bremen, Bibliothekstraße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), Fahrenheitstraße 6, 28359, Bremen, Germany
- Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Jl. Agatis 1, Dramaga Campus, Bogor, 16680, Indonesia
- Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Leobener Strasse, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Véronique Helfer
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), Fahrenheitstraße 6, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Stuart Kininmonth
- School of Marine Studies, The University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji
- Heron Island Research Station, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Sonia Bejarano
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT), Fahrenheitstraße 6, 28359, Bremen, Germany
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Patriquin D, Scheibling RE, Filbee-Dexter K. Shifts in biodiversity and physical structure of seagrass beds across 5 decades at Carriacou, Grenadines. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0306897. [PMID: 39088516 PMCID: PMC11293663 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Caribbean seagrass beds are facing increasing anthropogenic stress, yet comprehensive ground-level monitoring programs that capture the structure of seagrass communities before the 1980s are rare. We measured the distribution of seagrass beds and species composition and abundance of seagrass and associated macroalgae and macroinvertebrates in 3 years over a 47-year period (1969, 1994, 2016) at Carriacou, Granada, an area not heavily impacted by local human activity. Seagrass cover and physical parameters of fringing beds were measured in transects at high (HWE) and low wave energy (LWE) sites; frequency of occurrence of all species, and biomass and morphology of seagrasses, were measured at 100 m2 stations around the island. Losses in nearshore seagrass cover occurred at HWE but not LWE sites between 1969 and 2016 and were associated with increases in the seagrass-free inshore zone (SFI) and erosional scarps within beds. Total biomass did not vary across years although there were progressive changes in seagrass composition: a decline in the dominant Thalassia testudinum and concomitant increase in Syringodium filiforme, and establishment of invasive Halophila stipulacea in 2016 at LWE sites. Species richness and diversity of the seagrass community were highest in 1994, when 94% of macroalgae (excluding Caulerpa) were most abundant, and sea urchins were least abundant, compared to 1969 and 2016. Multivariate statistical analyses showed differences in community composition across the 3 years that were consistent with trends in urchin abundance. Increases in SFI and scarp number in seagrass beds at HWE sites occurred mainly after 1994 and likely were related to increased wave forcing following degradation of offshore coral reefs between 1994 and 2016. Our observations suggest that landward migration of seagrass beds with rapidly rising sea level in future will not be realized in reef-protected seagrass beds at Carriacou barring reversal in the processes that have caused reef flattening.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Patriquin
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Karen Filbee-Dexter
- University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Institute of Marine Research, His, Norway
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4
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Guerra AS, Van Wert JC, Haupt AJ, McCauley DJ, Eliason EJ, Young HS, Lecchini D, White TD, Caselle JE. Differences in the behavior and diet between shoaling and solitary surgeonfish ( Acanthurus triostegus). Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e9686. [PMID: 36620397 PMCID: PMC9817200 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Variation in behavior within marine and terrestrial species can influence the functioning of the ecosystems they inhabit. However, the contribution of social behavior to ecosystem function remains underexplored. Many coral reef fish species provide potentially insightful models for exploring how social behavior shapes ecological function because they exhibit radical intraspecific variation in sociality within a shared habitat. Here, we provide an empirical exploration on how the ecological function of a shoaling surgeonfish (Acanthurus triostegus) may differ from that of solitary conspecifics on two Pacific coral reefs combining insight from behavioral observations, stable isotope analysis, and macronutrient analysis of gut and fecal matter. We detected important differences in how the social mode of A. triostegus affected its spatial and feeding ecology, as well as that of other reef fish species. Specifically, we found increased distance traveled and area covered by shoaling fish relative to solitary A. triostegus. Additionally, shoaling A. triostegus primarily grazed within territories of other herbivorous fish and had piscivorous and nonpiscivorous heterospecific fish associated with the shoal, while solitary A. triostegus grazed largely grazed outside of any territories and did not have any such interactions with heterospecific fish. Results from stable isotope analysis show a difference in δ15N isotopes between shoaling and solitary fish, which suggests that these different social modes are persistent. Further, we found a strong interaction between social behavior and site and carbohydrate and protein percentages in the macronutrient analysis, indicating that these differences in sociality are associated with measurable differences in both the feeding ecology and nutrient excretion patterns. Our study suggests that the social behavior of individuals may play an important and underappreciated role in mediating their ecological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sofia Guerra
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine BiologyUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jacey C. Van Wert
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine BiologyUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Alison J. Haupt
- Department of Marine ScienceCalifornia State University Monterey BaySeasideCaliforniaUSA
| | - Douglas J. McCauley
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine BiologyUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
- Marine Science InstituteUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Erika J. Eliason
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine BiologyUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
- Marine Science InstituteUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - Hillary S. Young
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine BiologyUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
| | - David Lecchini
- EPHE‐UPVD‐CNRSPSL UniversityMo'oreaFrench Polynesia
- Laboratoire d'Excellence "CORAIL"ParisFrance
| | - Timothy D. White
- Hopkins Marine StationStanford UniversityPacific GroveCaliforniaUSA
| | - Jennifer E. Caselle
- Marine Science InstituteUniversity of California Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraCaliforniaUSA
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5
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Cooke SJ, Bergman JN, Twardek WM, Piczak ML, Casselberry GA, Lutek K, Dahlmo LS, Birnie-Gauvin K, Griffin LP, Brownscombe JW, Raby GD, Standen EM, Horodysky AZ, Johnsen S, Danylchuk AJ, Furey NB, Gallagher AJ, Lédée EJI, Midwood JD, Gutowsky LFG, Jacoby DMP, Matley JK, Lennox RJ. The movement ecology of fishes. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2022; 101:756-779. [PMID: 35788929 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Movement of fishes in the aquatic realm is fundamental to their ecology and survival. Movement can be driven by a variety of biological, physiological and environmental factors occurring across all spatial and temporal scales. The intrinsic capacity of movement to impact fish individually (e.g., foraging) with potential knock-on effects throughout the ecosystem (e.g., food web dynamics) has garnered considerable interest in the field of movement ecology. The advancement of technology in recent decades, in combination with ever-growing threats to freshwater and marine systems, has further spurred empirical research and theoretical considerations. Given the rapid expansion within the field of movement ecology and its significant role in informing management and conservation efforts, a contemporary and multidisciplinary review about the various components influencing movement is outstanding. Using an established conceptual framework for movement ecology as a guide (i.e., Nathan et al., 2008: 19052), we synthesized the environmental and individual factors that affect the movement of fishes. Specifically, internal (e.g., energy acquisition, endocrinology, and homeostasis) and external (biotic and abiotic) environmental elements are discussed, as well as the different processes that influence individual-level (or population) decisions, such as navigation cues, motion capacity, propagation characteristics and group behaviours. In addition to environmental drivers and individual movement factors, we also explored how associated strategies help survival by optimizing physiological and other biological states. Next, we identified how movement ecology is increasingly being incorporated into management and conservation by highlighting the inherent benefits that spatio-temporal fish behaviour imbues into policy, regulatory, and remediation planning. Finally, we considered the future of movement ecology by evaluating ongoing technological innovations and both the challenges and opportunities that these advancements create for scientists and managers. As aquatic ecosystems continue to face alarming climate (and other human-driven) issues that impact animal movements, the comprehensive and multidisciplinary assessment of movement ecology will be instrumental in developing plans to guide research and promote sustainability measures for aquatic resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Cooke
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and the Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jordanna N Bergman
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and the Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - William M Twardek
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and the Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Morgan L Piczak
- Fish Ecology and Conservation Physiology Laboratory, Department of Biology and the Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Grace A Casselberry
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Keegan Lutek
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lotte S Dahlmo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Laboratory for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kim Birnie-Gauvin
- Section for Freshwater Fisheries and Ecology, National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - Lucas P Griffin
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jacob W Brownscombe
- Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Graham D Raby
- Biology Department, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - Emily M Standen
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrij Z Horodysky
- Department of Marine and Environmental Science, Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia, USA
| | - Sönke Johnsen
- Biology Department, Duke University, Durham, North Caroline, USA
| | - Andy J Danylchuk
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nathan B Furey
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | | | - Elodie J I Lédée
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jon D Midwood
- Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lee F G Gutowsky
- Environmental & Life Sciences Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
| | - David M P Jacoby
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Jordan K Matley
- Program in Aquatic Resources, St Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Robert J Lennox
- Laboratory for Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre, Bergen, Norway
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway
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6
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Bohaboy EC, Cass-Calay SL, Patterson WF. Fine-scale movement of northern Gulf of Mexico red snapper and gray triggerfish estimated with three-dimensional acoustic telemetry. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14274. [PMID: 35995813 PMCID: PMC9395330 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18451-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Red snapper and gray triggerfish are ecologically, economically, and culturally important reef fishes in the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM). Scientists and managers have sought to understand the effects of artificial reefs on reef fish ecology by focusing on fish residency and movement at artificial reefs with less attention paid to broader spatial and temporal patterns in reef fish movements among a seascape of artificial reefs and other natural habitats. We used novel large-scale (> 15 km2) geopositioning acoustic telemetry arrays to track the 3-dimensional movements of tagged red snapper (n = 59) and gray triggerfish (n = 15) among multiple nGOM artificial reefs up to 333 days. Tagged fish moved frequently among artificial reefs and had shorter residence times at the release reef (43 days for red snapper and 3 days for gray triggerfish) than reported in previous studies. Both species displayed high individual variability in movement dynamics, as well as seasonally variable diel patterns of habitat use, height above bottom, and distance to reefs, which may have been driven by dynamic influences of predation risk, physiological constraints, or foraging over time and space. The wider seascape view revealed in this study demonstrates the importance of including multiple artificial reefs over long timescales to capture individual, spatial, and temporal variability in reef fish movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin C Bohaboy
- Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, University of Florida, 7922 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL, 32653, USA. .,National Marine Fisheries Service, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 1845 Wasp Boulevard, Building 176, Honolulu, HI, 96818, USA.
| | - Shannon L Cass-Calay
- National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Miami, FL, 33149, USA
| | - William F Patterson
- Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences, University of Florida, 7922 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL, 32653, USA
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Chee SY, Firth LB, Then AYH, Yee JC, Mujahid A, Affendi YA, Amir AA, Lau CM, Ooi JLS, Quek YA, Tan CE, Yap TK, Yeap CA, McQuatters-Gollop A. Enhancing Uptake of Nature-Based Solutions for Informing Coastal Sustainable Development Policy and Planning: A Malaysia Case Study. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.708507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) have been advocated to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits. The uptake of NbS differs regionally with some countries exhibiting greater uptake than others. The success of NbS also differs regionally with varying environmental conditions and social-ecological processes. In many regions, the body of knowledge, particularly around the efficacy of such efforts, remains fragmented. Having an “inventory” or “tool box” of regionally-trialed methods, outcomes and lessons learnt can improve the evidence base, inform adaptive management, and ultimately support the uptake of NbS. Using Malaysia as a case study, we provide a comprehensive overview of trialed and tested NbS efforts that used nature to address societal challenges in marine and coastal environments (here referring to mangroves, seagrass, coral reefs), and detailed these efforts according to their objectives, as well as their anticipated and actual outcomes. The NbS efforts were categorized according to the IUCN NbS approach typology and mapped to provide a spatial overview of IUCN NbS effort types. A total of 229 NbS efforts were collated, representing various levels of implementation success. From the assessment of these efforts, several key actions were identified as a way forward to enhance the uptake of Nature-based Solutions for informing coastal sustainable development policy and planning. These include increasing education, training, and knowledge sharing; rationalizing cooperation across jurisdictions, laws, and regulations; enhancing environmental monitoring; leveraging on existing policies; enabling collaboration and communication; and implementing sustainable finance instruments. These findings can be used to inform the improved application and uptake of NbS, globally.
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Dance MA, Rooker JR. Cross-shelf habitat shifts by red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) in the Gulf of Mexico. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213506. [PMID: 30870449 PMCID: PMC6417787 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Habitat shifts that occur during the life cycles of marine fishes influence population connectivity and structure. A generalized additive modeling approach was used to characterize relationships between environmental variables and the relative abundance of red snapper Lutjanus campechanus over unconsolidated substrate on the continental shelf (<150 m) of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico (GoM) at three different life stages: juvenile (age-0, <125 mm FL), sub-adult (age-1-2, 125-300 mm FL), and adult (age-2+, >300 mm FL). Fisheries independent data (2008-2014) were used to develop separate models for both the eastern and western GoM, and final models were used to predict the relative availability of suitable habitat for each life stage across the two regions. Predictor variables included in final models varied by age class and region, with depth, dissolved oxygen, longitude, and distance to artificial structure common to most models. Depth was among the most influential variables in all models, and preferred depth increased with increasing size/age. Regional differences in fish-habitat relationships were also observed, as relative abundance of larger red snapper over unconsolidated substrates was more closely linked to artificial structure in the eastern GoM. The location of predicted high quality habitat for juvenile red snapper was greatest on the inner Texas shelf and a smaller area east of the Mississippi River Delta, suggesting these two areas may represent important nursery grounds for the respective regions. Clear ontogenetic shifts in the spatial distribution of predicted high quality habitat were evident in both the eastern (expansion from west to east with age) and western (shift from inshore to offshore) GoM. Given the unique population dynamics between the eastern and western GoM, improving our understanding of spatial and temporal variability in habitat quality may be important to maintaining connectivity between juvenile and adult habitats, and may enhance recovery and management of red snapper stocks in the GoM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Dance
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Jay R. Rooker
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University (Galveston Campus), Galveston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
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