Spatial variability of fish communities in a highly urbanised reef system

摘要: Rapid coastal development has generated interest in the ecology of human-modified marine environments. Coastal defence structures such as breakwaters and seawalls are increasingly built to reduce erosion mitigate impacts sea level rise but knowledge on biodiversity around these is lacking. Benthic cover fish community were surveyed at nine offshore sites, comprising seven coral reefs two seawalls, Singapore’s highly urbanised reef system. A total 4943 fishes from 70 taxa recorded, dominated by Pomacentridae (56.5%) Labridae (17.7%). The results showed a clear spatial variation structure across reefs. southwestern supported communities that significantly different those south. Generic diversity was higher than southern ones while abundance generic richness similar. differences moderately correlated with coralline algae, foliose submassive corals. seawall sites adjacent them. While similar, former had latter. difference attributed pomacentrid genera (i.e. Neopomacentrus Pomacentrus) which more abundant findings demonstrated ecosystems can contribute supporting diversity.