Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Mediterranean Shallow Coastal Fish Communities along a Gradient of Marine Protection

摘要: The importance of habitat factors in designing marine reserves and evaluating their performance over time has been regularly documented. Over three biennial sampling periods, we examined the effects vegetated coverage diversity (i.e., patchiness) on fish density, community composition, species-specific patterns along a gradient protection from harvest shallow Spanish southern Mediterranean, including portions Tabarca reserve. With exception two herbivores (Sarpa salpa Symphodus tinca), cover did not significantly affect densities, while was an influential factor across all periods. Overall, density more positively associated with continuous or unvegetated habitats, greatest areas highest (Tabarca II – Isla Nao site). These were usually observed for four abundant species (Boops boops, Chromis chromis, Oblada melanura, S. salpa). Fish composition distinct most protected portion reserve, where it also stable. Our findings align previous investigations reserve its surrounding areas, demonstrate continued effectiveness conserving biomass habitat. Together effective management, can facilitate greater abundance, stable biological communities, resilient ecosystems.