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Lookup NU author(s): Nicholas Graham, Professor John BythellORCiD, Dr Shaun Wilson, Professor Nick Polunin
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Cousin Island marine reserve (Seychelles) has been an effectively protected no-take marine protected area (MPA) since 1968 and was shown in 1994 to support a healthy herbivorous fish assemblage. In 1998 Cousin Island reefs suffered extensive coral mortality following a coral bleaching event, and a phase shift from coral to algal dominance ensued. By 2005 mean coral cover was <1%, structural complexity had fallen and there had been a substantial increase in macroalgal cover, up to 40% in some areas. No clear trends were apparent in the overall numerical abundance and biomass of herbivorous fishes between 1994 and 2005, although smaller individuals became relatively scarce, most likely due to the loss of reef structure. Analysis of the feeding habits of six abundant and representative herbivorous fish species around Cousin Island in 2006 demonstrated that epilithic algae were the preferred food resource of all species and that macroalgae were avoided. Given the current dominance of macroalgae and the apparent absence of macroalgal consumers, it is suggested that the increasing abundance of macroalgae is reducing the probability of the system reverting to a coral dominated state. © 2007 Springer-Verlag.
Author(s): Ledlie MH, Graham NAJ, Bythell JC, Wilson SK, Jennings S, Polunin NVC, Hardcastle J
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Coral Reefs
Year: 2007
Volume: 26
Issue: 3
Pages: 641-653
Print publication date: 01/09/2007
ISSN (print): 0722-4028
ISSN (electronic): 1432-0975
Publisher: Springer
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00338-007-0230-1
DOI: 10.1007/s00338-007-0230-1
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