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Description:
Author(s):
Mellin, C., Mouillot, D., Kulbicki, M., McClanahan, T. R., Vigliola, L., Bradshaw, C. J. A., Brainard, R. E., Chabanet, P., Edgar, G. J., Fordham, D. A., Friedlander, A. M., Parravicini, V., Sequeira, A. M. M., Stuart-Smith, R. D., Wantiez, L., Caley, M. J.
Title:
Humans and seasonal climate variability threaten large-bodied coral reef fish with small ranges
Publication Date:
2016
Institution:
Australian Institute of Marine Science; e University of Adelaide; Universite de Montpellier; James Cook University; University of Perpignan; Wildlife Conservation Society; NOAA/NMFS/PIFSC; University of Tasmania; National Geographic Society; University of Hawaii at Manoa; Centre de Synthese et dAnalyse sur la Biodiversite; University of Western Australia; University of New Caledonia
Journal Title:
Nature Communications
Volume:
7
Issue:
10491
Page(s):
1-9
Abstract:
"Coral reefs are among the most species-rich and threatened ecosystems on Earth, yet the extent to which human stressors determine species occurrences, compared with biogeography or environmental conditions, remains largely unknown. With ever-increasing human-mediated disturbances on these ecosystems, an important question is not only how many species can inhabit local communities, but also which biological traits determine species that can persist (or not) above particular disturbance thresholds. Here we show that human pressure and seasonal climate variability are disproportionately and negatively associated with the occurrence of large-bodied and geographically small-ranging fishes within local coral reef communities. These species are 67% less likely to occur where human impact and temperature seasonality exceed critical thresholds, such as in the marine biodiversity hotspot: the Coral Triangle. Our results identify the most sensitive species and critical thresholds of human and climatic stressors, providing opportunity for targeted conservation intervention to prevent local extinctions. The NOAA NCRMP/Pacific RAMP fish data were one of the key datasets used in this analysis. Supplementary Information accompanies this paper at http://www.nature.com/ naturecommunications"
Electronic DOI:
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