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AB 12:187-196 (2011)  -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/ab00336

Identification of discrete and ecologically relevant types of ichthyo-habitat at two spatial scales for process-based marine planning

C. A. Jung*, S. E. Swearer

Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia

ABSTRACT: One objective of marine planning is the protection of biodiversity. The majority of planning strategies are based on descriptive methodologies, i.e. detecting and managing diversity hotspots. The disadvantage of such approaches is the lack of explanatory power in elucidating what facilitates the variation in diversity. The present study proposes an alternative approach: planning based on ecological processes. Correlations between 24 variables of the biophysical habitat and 4 ecological indices of fish assemblage composition were established. Variables strongly correlated to at least 1 index (adjusted r2 > 0.6) were regarded as likely drivers of variation and used as a basis for cluster analyses to classify discrete, ecologically relevant habitat types. Variables were quantified at 2 spatial scales: individual transects (at scales of 10s of meters) and whole reefs (at scales of 100s of meters to kilometers). Habitat variables at the reef scale were not strongly correlated to ecological indices as often as variables at the transect scale. Aspects of vegetation and habitat complexity correlated strongly to most indices. In all approaches, high capacity habitat, i.e. habitat containing high values of habitat variables positively correlated to diversity indices, was defined by high abundance of Phaeophyta and high structural complexity of the reef itself. High capacity habitat was spatially confined. All cluster analyses yielded similar spatial patterns of habitat types. The statistical methodology used in the present study—identifying distinct and ecologically relevant habitat types and habitat with high capacity to support high diversity—be a useful approach for identifying candidate areas for ­protection in marine conservation planning.


KEY WORDS: Process-based management · Diversity · Fishes · Rocky reefs · Habitat


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Cite this article as: Jung CA, Swearer SE (2011) Identification of discrete and ecologically relevant types of ichthyo-habitat at two spatial scales for process-based marine planning. Aquat Biol 12:187-196. https://doi.org/10.3354/ab00336

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