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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
agricultural and biological sciences
Phase shifts and the role of herbivory in the resilience of coral reefs
Coral Reefs, Volume 26, No. 3, Year 2007
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Description
Cousin Island marine reserve (Seychelles) has been an effectively protected no-take marine protected area (MPA) since 1968 and was shown in 1994 to support a healthy herbivorous fish assemblage. In 1998 Cousin Island reefs suffered extensive coral mortality following a coral bleaching event, and a phase shift from coral to algal dominance ensued. By 2005 mean coral cover was <1%, structural complexity had fallen and there had been a substantial increase in macroalgal cover, up to 40% in some areas. No clear trends were apparent in the overall numerical abundance and biomass of herbivorous fishes between 1994 and 2005, although smaller individuals became relatively scarce, most likely due to the loss of reef structure. Analysis of the feeding habits of six abundant and representative herbivorous fish species around Cousin Island in 2006 demonstrated that epilithic algae were the preferred food resource of all species and that macroalgae were avoided. Given the current dominance of macroalgae and the apparent absence of macroalgal consumers, it is suggested that the increasing abundance of macroalgae is reducing the probability of the system reverting to a coral dominated state. © 2007 Springer-Verlag.
Authors & Co-Authors
Ledlie, Mary H.
United Kingdom, Newcastle
Newcastle University
Graham, Nicholas Anthony James
United Kingdom, Newcastle
Newcastle University
Bythell, John Christopher
United Kingdom, Newcastle
Newcastle University
Wilson, Shaun K.
United Kingdom, Newcastle
Newcastle University
Australia, Townsville
Australian Institute of Marine Science
Jennings, Simon
United Kingdom, Lowestoft
Centre for the Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
Polunin, N. V.C.
United Kingdom, Newcastle
Newcastle University
Hardcastle, J.
Seychelles, Mahe
Nature Seychelles
Statistics
Citations: 205
Authors: 7
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1007/s00338-007-0230-1
ISSN:
07224028
Research Areas
Food Security
Study Locations
Seychelles