Reef degradation and the loss of critical ecosystem goods and services provided by coral reef fishes

Abstract

Coral loss and declines in the physical structure of reef habitats have marked effects on the abundance of coral reef fishes which will be become even more pronounced as coral cover continues to decline. Further, changes in the abundance and composition of fish assemblages may have consequences for ecosystem function and fisheries productivity. Even if fisheries species are generally resilient to habitat degradation, harvesting of larger fishes may threaten ecosystem functions that are critical to coral reef resilience. Ultimately, managers will need to explicitly address conflicts between increasing demand for fish and the need to maintain ecosystem services.