Increasing habitat complexity on seawalls: Investigating large- and small-scale effects on fish assemblages.

ABSTRACT: The construction of artificial structures in the marine environment is increasing globally. Eco-engineering aims to mitigate the negative ecological impacts of built infrastructure through designing structures to be multifunctional, benefiting both humans and nature. To date, the focus of eco-engineering has largely been on benefits for benthic invertebrates and algae. Here, the potential effect of eco-engineered habitats designed for benthic species on fish was investigated. Eco-engineered habitats ("flowerpots") were added to an intertidal seawall in Sydney Harbour, Australia. Responses of fish assemblages to the added habitats were quantified at two spatial scales; large (among seawalls) and small (within a seawall). Data were collected during high tide using cameras attached to the sea

SUBMITTER: Morris RL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5696408 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature