Abstract
Tropical seagrass meadows are critical habitats for many fish species, yet few studies have investigated the influence of multiple scale-dependent factors and marine protected areas on seagrass fish species of differing life histories. We assessed the influence of fine-scale seagrass meadow characteristics and seascape-scale variables on the abundance of fish in a seagrass-dominated seascape in the Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique, particularly examining patterns of nursery- vs. resident species as well as mobile- vs. sedentary species. We found that fish distribution patterns in this seagrass-dominated seascape were dependent on species’ life history characteristics; nursery taxa showed lower abundance in seagrass meadows further from adult reef habitats, while resident species within seagrass meadows occurred in higher abundances far from reefs. For taxa utilizing both mangroves and seagrass meadows as nursery habitat, proximity to mangroves was an important factor. Fish abundances were generally influenced by variables at the seascape scale (km), while sedentary species were predominantly influenced by area variables, and smaller seascapes (<500 m in radius) better explained distribution patterns. The influence of marine protected areas was taxon-specific, with the strongest effects of protection on resident species. Our results indicate that protection efforts in seagrass-dominated seascapes can have varying impacts on fish distribution, depending on the life history of the species present, and the geographical placement of the reserve within the seascape. Further, we suggest that simple species attributes can be utilised to describe generalized abundance patterns of fish in seagrass seascapes.
Highlights
In nature, organisms tend to be distributed in patches or along spatial gradients depending on environmental conditions (Legendre and Fortin, 1989)
Based on field surveys in the Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique, this study aimed to determine (1) whether drivers of fish distribution patterns in a Western Indian Ocean seagrass-dominated seascape differ in fish species with varying life histories, (2) relevant spatial scales to explain distribution patterns of seagrass fish assemblages based on simple spe cies attributes, and (3) whether the in fluence of protection differs between resident and nursery fish species
Extensive seagrass meadows exist in the bay, which is characterized by shallow intertidal sandbanks and deeper tidal channels (
Summary
Organisms tend to be distributed in patches or along spatial gradients depending on environmental conditions (Legendre and Fortin, 1989). Optimal conditions generally vary across species, and are in many cases linked to life-history traits (Thornton et al, 2011; Zar netske et al, 2017) Simple attributes, such as body size and life history traits, may be useful factors to consider when seeking to un derstand distributions of organisms (Thornton et al, 2011). This applies to both terrestrial and marine environments, the factors that are ecologically relevant to distribution patterns may differ between terrestrial and marine ecosystems (Wedding et al, 2011; Pittman, 2018). Less is understood about the effects of mangroves and coral reef arrangement on fish assemblages in seagrass meadows and there is still a need for information on how seascape context influences fish communities in seagrass-dominated areas and on which spatial scales these seascape variables operate (Wedding et al, 2011; Berkstrom et al, 2012)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
