Recovery trajectories of coral reef fish assemblages within Kenyan marine protected areas

McClanahan, T.R., and Graham, N. A. J. (2005) Recovery trajectories of coral reef fish assemblages within Kenyan marine protected areas. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 294. pp. 241-248.

[img]
Preview
PDF (Published version)
Download (277kB)
View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps294241
 
83
1235


Abstract

The size, density and biomass of coral reef fish in 4 fully closed marine protected areas (MPAs) with different ages were studied over a 17 yr period. Space-for-time substitution samples were available for a period of 4 yr before, and 36 yr after the closure. Both the height of the size structure graph (which is a value of overall abundance–biomass) and the assemblage biomass graph are convex polynomials with a maximum biomass of 1200 kg ha–1 at 22 yr. This suggests that full recovery of coral reef fish assemblages in terms of abundance–biomass is considerably longer than generally believed. Beyond 25 yr, there can be a small loss in biomass, which we suggest is due to reduced net primary production associated with the increased abundance of calcifying algae attributable to intense grazing. Size spectra slopes were variable at all times, changed quickly, and were probably influenced by local environmental conditions, which made concise predictions for equilibrium coral reef size structure rather difficult.

Item ID: 8863
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1616-1599
Keywords: biomass; recovery; marine protected areas; calcifying algae; fish growth; size; spectra
Related URLs:
Date Deposited: 09 Mar 2010 00:02
FoR Codes: 07 AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY SCIENCES > 0704 Fisheries Sciences > 070403 Fisheries Management @ 50%
06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060205 Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl Marine Ichthyology) @ 50%
SEO Codes: 83 ANIMAL PRODUCTION AND ANIMAL PRIMARY PRODUCTS > 8302 Fisheries - Wild Caught > 830204 Wild Caught Fin Fish (excl. Tuna) @ 20%
96 ENVIRONMENT > 9605 Ecosystem Assessment and Management > 960506 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Fresh, Ground and Surface Water Environments @ 40%
96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960808 Marine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 40%
Downloads: Total: 1235
Last 12 Months: 3
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page