Remote underwater video reveals higher fish diversity and abundance in seagrass meadows, and habitat differences in trophic interactions

摘要: Seagrass meadows play a key ecological role as nursery and feeding grounds for multiple fish species. Underwater Visual Census (UVC) has been historically used the non-extractive method to characterize seagrass communities, however, less intrusive methodologies such Remote Video (RUV) are gaining interest could be particularly useful habitats, where juvenile camouflage among vegetation easily hide or flee from divers. Here we compared performance of UVC RUV in assessing communities two with low high canopy density. We found that detected more species individuals than UVC, on habitat higher density, which sheltered juveniles, especially herbivorous, adult piscivorous commercial importance, evidencing significant differences energy flow macrophytes predators between also ecosystem services they can provide. Considering ongoing worldwide degradation ecosystems, our results strongly suggest surveys using ecologic fisheries programs would render accurate information adequate inform conservation planning around world.