Density-dependent changes in effective area occupied for sea-bottom-associated marine fishes.

ABSTRACT: The spatial distribution of marine fishes can change for many reasons, including density-dependent distributional shifts. Previous studies show mixed support for either the proportional-density model (PDM; no relationship between abundance and area occupied, supported by ideal-free distribution theory) or the basin model (BM; positive abundance-area relationship, supported by density-dependent habitat selection theory). The BM implies that fishes move towards preferred habitat as the population declines. We estimate the average relationship using bottom trawl data for 92 fish species from six marine regions, to determine whether the BM or PDM provides a better description for sea-bottom-associated fishes. We fit a spatio-temporal model and estimate changes in effective area occupied and ab

SUBMITTER: Thorson JT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5069519 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature