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High kelp density attracts fishes except for recruiting cryptobenthic species
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 21:37 authored by Victor ShelamoffVictor Shelamoff, Cayne LaytonCayne Layton, Masayuki TatsumiMasayuki Tatsumi, Cameron, MJ, Jeffrey WrightJeffrey Wright, Graham EdgarGraham Edgar, Craig JohnsonCraig JohnsonAs foundation species, kelp support productive and species rich communities; however, the effects of kelp structure on mobile species within these complex natural systems are often difficult to assess. We used artificial reefs with transplanted kelp to quantify the influence of kelp patch size and density on fish assemblages including the arrival of recruiting cryptobenthic species. Large patches with dense kelp supported the highest abundance, species richness, and diversity of fishes, with the addition of dense kelp tripling biomass and doubling richness. The abundance of recruits in artificial collectors declined with patch size and was halved on reefs with sparse kelp compared to reefs with dense kelp or no kelp. These results highlight the importance of dense kelp cover in facilitating biodiversity and indicate that kelp addition could support the recovery of degraded coastal ecosystems. Kelp also apparently drives complex interactions affecting the recruitment/behaviour of some cryptobenthic species.
Funding
Australian Research Council
History
Publication title
Marine Environmental ResearchVolume
161Article number
105127Number
105127Pagination
1-10ISSN
0141-1136Department/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesPublisher
Elsevier Sci LtdPlace of publication
The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, England, Oxon, Ox5 1GbRights statement
Copyright 2020 Elsevier Ltd.Repository Status
- Restricted