Habitat change mediates the response of coral reef fish populations to terrestrial run-off.

摘要: Coastal fish populations are typically threatened by multiple human activities, including fishing pressure and run-off of terrestrial pollution. Linking threats to their impacts on is challenging because the may influence a species directly, or indirectly, via its habitats interactions with other species. Here we examine spatial variation in abundance coral reef across gradients turbidity Fiji. We explicitly account for pathways test alternative hypotheses that (1) habitat moderates predation providing shelter, so loss only affects prey if there abundant predators, (2) change co-drives biomass both predator functional groups. examined responses 7 groups found turbidity. Abundances all were associated changes cover; however, mixed. Planktivore piscivore lower areas high turbidity, cover preferred was lower. Invertivore, browser grazer did not strongly over gradient, different components exhibited increases decreases The effects minor where already depleted fishing. These findings suggest modifies composition communities indirectly affecting benthic use.