scholarly journals Temporal variation in the structure of reef slope fish communities (central Great Barrier Reef): short-term effects of Acanthaster planci infestation

1986 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 157-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
DMcB Williams
Keyword(s):  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Temporal Variation ◽  
Fish Communities ◽  
Reef Slope ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Acanthaster Planci ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Short Term Effects

scholarly journals Deep-Reef Fish Communities of the Great Barrier Reef Shelf-Break: Trophic Structure and Habitat Associations

Diversity ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiffany Sih ◽  
James Daniell ◽  
Thomas Bridge ◽  
Robin Beaman ◽  
Mike Cappo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Fish Communities ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Shelf Break ◽  
Benthic Habitat ◽  
Trophic Groups ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Deep Reef ◽  
Macro Algae

The ecology of habitats along the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) shelf-break has rarely been investigated. Thus, there is little understanding of how associated fishes interact with deeper environments. We examined relationships between deep-reef fish communities and benthic habitat structure. We sampled 48 sites over a large depth gradient (54–260 m) in the central GBR using Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations and multibeam sonar. Fish community composition differed both among multiple shelf-break reefs and habitats within reefs. Epibenthic cover decreased with depth. Deep epibenthic cover included sponges, corals, and macro-algae, with macro-algae present to 194 m. Structural complexity decreased with depth, with more calcified reef, boulders, and bedrock in shallower depths. Deeper sites were flatter and more homogeneous with softer substratum. Habitats were variable within depth strata and were reflected in different fish assemblages among sites and among locations. Overall, fish trophic groups changed with depth and included generalist and benthic carnivores, piscivores, and planktivores while herbivores were rare below 50 m. While depth influenced where trophic groups occurred, site orientation and habitat morphology determined the composition of trophic groups within depths. Future conservation strategies will need to consider the vulnerability of taxa with narrow distributions and habitat requirements in unique shelf-break environments.

Distribution of Acanthaster planci outbreaks on the Great Barrier Reef between 1966 and 1989

Coral Reefs ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 97-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. E. Reichelt ◽  
R. H. Bradbury ◽  
P. J. Moran
Keyword(s):  
Great Barrier Reef ◽  
Barrier Reef ◽  
Acanthaster Planci
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