Spatial and temporal scales of coral reef fish ecological research and management: a systematic map protocol

Abstract

Background Coral reefs are rapidly changing in response to local and global stressors. Research to better understand and inform the management of these stressors is burgeoning. However, in situ studies of coral reef ecology are constrained by complex logistics and limited resources. Many reef studies are also hampered by the scale-dependent nature of ecological patterns, and inferences made on causal relationships within coral reef systems are limited by the scales of observation. This is because most socio-ecological studies are conducted at scales relevant to the phenomenon of interest. However, management often occurs across a significantly broader, often geopolitical, range of scales. While there is a critical need for incisive coral reef management actions at relevant spatial and temporal scales, it remains unclear to what extent the scales of empirical study overlap with the scales at which management inferences and recommendations are made. This systematic map protocol will evaluate this potential scale mismatch with the goal of raising awareness about the significance of effectively addressing and reporting the scales at which researchers collect data and make assumptions. Methods We will use the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence (CEE) systematic mapping guidelines to identify relevant studies using a framework-based synthesis to summarise the spatial and temporal scales of coral reef fish ecology research and the scales at which management inferences or recommendations are made. Using tested predefined terms, we will search for relevant published academic and grey literature, including bibliographic databases, web-based search engines, and organisational websites. Inclusion criteria for the evidence map are empirical studies that focus on coral reef fish ecological organisation and processes, those informing management interventions and policy decisions, and management documents that cite coral reef research for management decision-making. Study results will be displayed graphically using data matrices and heat maps. This is the first attempt to systematically assess and compare the scales of socio-ecological research conducted on coral reef systems with their management.

Local human impacts disrupt depth-dependent zonation of tropical reef fish communities

“…While there was minimal observed deviation from the global depth effect across the study islands and ecoregions, our results show that spatial variation in fish biomass—across site, island and ecoregion scales—was differentially and unevenly distributed among trophic groups, underscoring the importance of scale of observation in ecological enquiry 1 , 72 . The 35 islands and atolls in this study span much of the western and central Pacific and encompass substantial biophysical gradients that influence ecological organization—ranging from local variation in live coral habitat availability among reefs, for example, to regional disparities in temperature, irradiance and primary production 3 , 12 , 29 , 44 .…”

Re-visiting the paradigm of coral reef depth zonation on contemporary reefs

“…Our study shows that spatial variation in sh biomass-across site, island, and ecoregion scales-was differentially and unevenly distributed among trophic groups, underscoring the importance of scale of observation in ecological enquiry 9,77 . The 35 islands and atolls in this study span much of the western and central Paci c and encompass substantial biophysical gradients that in uence ecological organisation-ranging from local variation in live coral habitat availability among reefs, to regional disparities in temperature, irradiance, and primary production 7,21,32,39 .…”

Spatiotemporal Variation in Coral Assemblages and Reef Habitat Complexity among Shallow Fore-Reef Sites in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

“…Furthermore, our coral-trait based approach enhances the understanding of severe disturbances (i.e., hurricanes, SCTLD, ocean warming) on the composition of coral assemblages and the subsequent shifts in benthic communities [85,115,116]. Monitoring fine-scale habitat variables through high-resolution mapping is beneficial in assessing the outcomes of MPAs [117][118][119][120] and coral restoration efforts [121,122] as well as understanding the biological benthic structure of reefs [123] that can help guide place-based coral restoration efforts [124,125]. The combined approach of SfM photogrammetry with traditional monitoring methods, such as visual surveys at multiple spatial and temporal scales, can enhance the ability to find niche habitats or coral taxa that promote resilience against regional stressors prominent in ecologically and economically important coral reef ecosystem such as the Florida Keys.…”