Patterns in reef fish assemblages: Insights from the Chagos Archipelago.

ABSTRACT: Understanding the drivers of variability in the composition of fish assemblages across the Indo-Pacific region is crucial to support coral reef ecosystem resilience. Whilst numerous relationships and feedback mechanisms between the functional roles of coral reef fishes and reef benthic composition have been investigated, certain key groups, such as the herbivores, are widely suggested to maintain reefs in a coral-dominated state. Examining links between fishes and reef benthos is complicated by the interactions between natural processes, disturbance events and anthropogenic impacts, particularly fishing pressure. This study examined fish assemblages and associated benthic variables across five atolls within the Chagos Archipelago, where fishing pressure is largely absent, to better underst

SUBMITTER: Samoilys M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5774777 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature