The seascape nursery: a novel spatial approach to identify and manage nurseries for coastal marine fauna

Abstract

Coastal marine and estuarine ecosystems are highly productive and serve a nursery function for important fisheries species. They also suffer some of the highest rates of degradation from human impacts of any ecosystems. Identifying and valuing nursery habitats is a critical part of their conservation, but current assessment practices typically take a static approach by considering habitats as individual and homogeneous entities. Here, we review current definitions of nursery habitat and propose a novel approach for assigning nursery areas for mobile fauna that incorporates critical ecological habitat linkages. We introduce the term ‘seascape nurseries’, which conceptualizes a nursery as a spatially explicit seascape consisting of multiple mosaics of habitat patches that are functionally connected. Hotspots of animal abundances/productivity identify the core area of a habitat mosaic, which is spatially constrained by the home ranges of its occupants. Migration pathways connecting such hotspots at larger spatial and temporal scales, through ontogenetic habitat shifts or inshore–offshore migrations, should be identified and incorporated. The proposed approach provides a realistic step forward in the identification and management of critical coastal areas, especially in situations where large habitat units or entire water bodies cannot be protected as a whole due to socio‐economic, practical or other considerations.

Modeling the coastal ecosystem complex: present situation and challenges

“…2 with the CEC, where the four features overlap. Nagelkerken et al (2015) reviewed the functions of habitat patch mosaics in seascapes as nurseries for coastal animals, and referred to these as "seascape nurseries" (SSNs). They considered core nursery habitats within the mosaic where abundance or productivity occurs, and the migration pathways connecting nurseries to adult populations (termed "ecosystem corridors"), which are critical for sustaining life cycles.…”

“…They considered core nursery habitats within the mosaic where abundance or productivity occurs, and the migration pathways connecting nurseries to adult populations (termed "ecosystem corridors"), which are critical for sustaining life cycles. Compared with the CEM, the SSN concept defined by Nagelkerken et al (2015) is focused more on the life history of the fish species and less on their trophic interactions (Fig. 2).…”

“…The CEM (Sheaves 2009) and SSN (Nagelkerken et al 2015) concepts are relatively recent and have not yet been developed into numerical models. However, the ideas involved have been validated through field surveys and metaanalysis of seascapes including mangrove/seagrass/coral reef habitats and littoral/intertidal/subtidal habitats (Adkins et al 2016;Barbour et al 2014;Davis et al 2014;Olds et al 2012;Skilleter et al 2017).…”

Human effects on ecological connectivity in aquatic ecosystems: Integrating scientific approaches to support management and mitigation

“…There is also increasing evidence that many organisms in marine and lacustrine ecosystems utilise habitat mosaics (rather than single habitat types) on a day-to-day basis, as well as throughout ontogeny (Zamora & Moreno-Amich 2002;Sheaves 2005;Verweij & 365 Nagelkerken 2007). The availability of intact habitat mosaics at scales that match species' home ranges, as well as the maintenance of connectivity pathways within the mosaic, are essential to ensure that specific habitats can be effectively utilised by organisms to perform their ecological functions (e.g., as nurseries or foraging areas) (Sheaves 2005(Sheaves , 2009Nagelkerken et al 2015). …”

Spatial dynamics and characterization of the ichthyoplankton community of natural and artificial reef environments on the coast of Paraná state, south Brazil

“…These ecosystems are both diverse and highly productive. Nursery grounds for fish and other marine organisms are frequent in coastal habitats such as mangroves, reefs and rocky shores; larvae and juveniles from these habitats later replenish offshore populations (NAGELKERKEN et al, 2015). Conflicts between commercial interests and ecological sustainability are reoccurring problems worldwide that threaten the integrity and future of vulnerable coastal ecosystems (WOR, 2010).…”