The role of macroalgae as nursery areas for fish species within coastal seascapes

James, Nicola C.; Whitfield, Alan K.

doi:10.1017/cft.2022.3

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Vegetated coastal estuarine and marine habitats, particularly macrophytes such as mangroves, seagrass, salt marshes, and macroalgae, are important nursery areas for marine and estuarine fish species (James & Whitfield, 2022; Lefcheck et al, 2019; Whitfield, 2017). Structure for food and refuge provided by these vegetated habitats results in elevated density, growth, and survival of juvenile fish (Beck et al, 2001; Hyndes et al, 2003; McDevitt‐Irwin et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Juvenile sparids (Rhabdosargus holubi) consistently select structurally dense vegetated habitat in nursery seascapes

Welch,

Childs,

Hempel

et al. 2023

Journal of Fish Biology

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Seagrass habitats provide structural complexity in coastal estuarine and marine environments, which offer fish optimal foraging grounds and refuge from predation. However, seagrasses are some of the most threatened ecosystems globally, with anthropogenic activities such as population growth and environmental degradation leading to the fragmentation, thinning, and loss of these habitats. Rhabdosargus holubi is one of only a few vegetation‐associated marine fish species in South African estuaries. Although field studies have shown a strong association with seagrass over other aquatic vegetation for the juveniles of this species, habitat choice has never been empirically tested. Here, we used artificial vegetation units to test habitat choice (different structural complexities) for this species. We also tested whether habitat choice is influenced by a predatory threat, with fish preferentially selecting dense habitat in the presence of a predator and whether this effect may be more apparent in smaller individuals. We found that R. holubi significantly prefer greater structural complexity over less complex habitats, in both the absence and presence of a predator and for both small and large juveniles, showing that R. holubi actively choose more complex structures and are attracted to the structure per se irrespective of the threat of predation. This study highlights the importance of dense seagrass as nursery areas for this species and demonstrates how the loss of these habitats could impact the nursery function of estuaries.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Juvenile sparids (Rhabdosargus holubi) consistently select structurally dense vegetated habitat in nursery seascapes

Welch,

Childs,

Hempel

et al. 2023

Journal of Fish Biology

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Nursery provision of red-algal habitats in temperate Algoa Bay, South Africa

James,

Jacobs,

Gayiza

et al. 2024

Mar Biol

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This study examines the importance of both macroalgal heterogeneity and specific macroalgal species or morphotypes to nursery provision for juvenile sparids (Diplodus capensis and Sarpa salpa) in a shallow (< 2 m), sheltered rocky cove in warm-temperate Algoa Bay, South Africa. The rocky cove is comprised of a mosaic of two main benthic habitats; canopy-forming Plocamium corallorhiza beds on rocky outcrops and flat reef dominated by low growing red algae morphotypes. We assessed macroalgal communities and the trophic ecology (stomach contents and isotopes), abundance and size structure of D. capensis and S. salpa in the two different benthic habitats and the resources/food associated with the dominant macroalgae species/morphotypes. We found high densities of S. salpa and D. capensis, in both high profile reef (rocky outcrops) and low profile (flat) reef. Within this habitat mosaic resources (epiphytes and macroinvertebrates) were more abundant in the non-canopy forming low growing macroalgae (Laurencia spp. and coralline turf algae) and these algae were also assimilated in the diets of both sparids. The high abundance of both juvenile S. salpa and D. capensis in high profile and low profile reef, suggests that within this mosaic of habitats these species may be using canopy-forming algae in the high profile reef for shelter and non-canopy forming algae in both the high and low profile reef for food. This shows that macroalgal habitats comprising several morphotypes have the potential to support higher juvenile diversity and abundance through both food provision and shelter.

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The role of macroalgal habitats as ocean acidification refugia within coastal seascapes

Edworthy¹,

Steyn²,

James³

2023

Camb. prisms Coast. futures

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Ocean acidification (OA) refers to a global decline in the average pH of seawater driven by the absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). Marine macroalgae, while affected by this pH change, are also able to modify seawater pH through their own interaction with inorganic carbon in the carbonate system. Through this action, macroalgae-dominated habitats are potential refugia from OA for associated marine species. This review summarises the most prominent literature on the role of macroalgae in OA mitigation and the potential of macroalgal habitats to serve as OA refugia. It includes a brief overview of macroalgal distribution in an effort to illustrate where such refugia might be most prevalent. Macroalgae influence seawater carbonate chemistry through the absorption of CO2 and HCO3− during photosynthesis, raising surrounding seawater pH in the process. This transient effect on seawater chemistry could provide some respite from the negative effects of OA for many marine species. This refuge role varies over a range of scales along with macroalgal architecture, which varies in size from low-growing turfs to large canopy-forming stands. The associated pH changes can range over various temporal (daily and seasonal) and spatial (from centimetre to kilometre) scales. Areas of high macroalgal biomass are likely to play an important role as significant OA refugia. Such communities are distributed widely throughout the globe. Large brown macroalgae (Laminariales) dominated communities are common in temperate regions, while members of the Fucales are responsible for substantial macroalgal stands in warmer tropical regions. These marine fields and forests have great potential to serve as localised refuges from OA. While more work needs to be done to clarify the effect of macroalgal communities on seawater pH on a large scale, such refuge areas could become important considerations for the management of marine resources and in protected area selection.

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The role of macroalgae as nursery areas for fish species within coastal seascapes

Cited by 4 publications

References 60 publications

Juvenile sparids (Rhabdosargus holubi) consistently select structurally dense vegetated habitat in nursery seascapes

Juvenile sparids (Rhabdosargus holubi) consistently select structurally dense vegetated habitat in nursery seascapes

Nursery provision of red-algal habitats in temperate Algoa Bay, South Africa

The role of macroalgal habitats as ocean acidification refugia within coastal seascapes

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