Grazing halos on coral reefs: predation risk, herbivore density, and habitat size influence grazing patterns that are visible from space

2019 ◽  
Vol 627 ◽  
pp. 71-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
BP DiFiore ◽  
SA Queenborough ◽  
EMP Madin ◽  
VJ Paul ◽  
MB Decker ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret A. Malone ◽  
Gregorio de Chevalier ◽  
Christopher J. Whelan ◽  
Joel S. Brown

Abstract Degradation of coral reef habitats changes the abundance and community composition of fishes due in part to changes in the ecology of fear. The ecology of fear sees the predator-prey system as a dynamic game of behavioral responses to perceived risk with population and community level consequences. We measure spatial variation in predation risk as landscapes of fear. We consider changes in predation risk with habitat quality and examine the effects of fear on coral reefs in Kāne‘ohe Bay, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. First, we associate fish and benthic communities on patch reefs with varying degradation due to invasive algae (Euchema spp. and Kappaphycus spp.). Next, we quantify the spatio-temporal variation of risk (reefscape of fear) of a common Hawaiian fish (saddle wrasse, hīnālea lau wili, Thalassoma duperrey) across reefs of varying degradation. Finally, we assess the tradeoffs in resource availability and predation risk on these reefs. At the scale of whole reefs, saddle wrasse responded to perceived risk. Intensity of patch use (measured by giving-up densities) by wrasse indicated risky reefs. Such reefs differed in benthic and fish community composition. We demonstrated the impact of an altered reefscape of fear due to habitat degradation. Habitat degradation seems to influence the tradeoff between resource availability and safety. From wrasse abundances and their patch use behavior we can classify the reefs into categories based on risk and resource availability. Allowing fish to reveal their perceptions of habitat qualities through their behaviors provides critical information for assessing and monitoring reefs.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gretchen F. Wagner ◽  
Emeline Mourocq ◽  
Michael Griesser

Predation of offspring is the main cause of reproductive failure in many species, and the mere fear of offspring predation shapes reproductive strategies. Yet, natural predation risk is ubiquitously variable and can be unpredictable. Consequently, the perceived prospect of predation early in a reproductive cycle may not reflect the actual risk to ensuing offspring. An increased variance in investment across offspring has been linked to breeding in unpredictable environments in several taxa, but has so far been overlooked as a maternal response to temporal variation in predation risk. Here, we experimentally increased the perceived risk of nest predation prior to egg-laying in seven bird species. Species with prolonged parent-offspring associations increased their intra-brood variation in egg, and subsequently offspring, size. High risk to offspring early in a reproductive cycle can favour a risk-spreading strategy particularly in species with the greatest opportunity to even out offspring quality after fledging.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-14
Author(s):  
Wahyu Adi

Pulau Kecil Gelasa merupakan daerah yang belum banyak diteliti. Pemetaan ekosistem di pulau kecil dilakukan dengan bantuan citra Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS). Penelitian terdahulu diketahui bahwa ALOS memiliki kemampuan memetakan terumbu karang dan padang lamun di perairan dangkal serta mampu memetakan kerapatan penutupan vegetasi. Metode interpretasi citra menggunakan alogaritma indeks vegetasi pada citra ALOS yaitu NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), serta pendekatan Lyzengga untuk mengkoreksi kolom perairan. Hasil penelitian didapatkan luasan Padang Lamun di perairan dangkal 41,99 Ha, luasan Terumbu Karang 125,57 Ha. Hasil NDVI di daratan/ pulau kecil Gelasa untuk Vegetasi Rapat seluas 47,62 Ha; luasan penutupan Vegetasi Sedang 105,86 Ha; dan penutupan Vegetasi Jarang adalah 34,24 Ha.   Small Island Gelasa rarely studied. Mapping ecosystems on small islands with the image of Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS). Previous research has found that ALOS has the ability to map coral reefs and seagrass beds in shallow water, and is able to map vegetation cover density. The method of image interpretation uses the vegetation index algorithm in the ALOS image, NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), and the Lyzengga approach to correct the water column. The results of the study were obtained in the area of Seagrass Padang in the shallow waters of 41.99 ha, the area of coral reefs was 125.57 ha. NDVI results on land / small islands Gelasa for dense vegetation of 47.62 ha; area of Medium Vegetation coverage 105.86 Ha; and the coverage of Rare Vegetation is 34.24 Ha.


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