An ecological paper published in the BriΩ∏∏tish journal Nature on the 16tβ✘♥h identified coral reefs worldwidβ÷←♣e with significantly higher or lower fish biom×≥₽ass than expected. The findings, wh★¥β•ich benefit from a new in♠γterdisciplinary approac£≥&©h that integrates environmental and socioecΩγonomic factors, may help add₩π✔€ress global coral reef degradation.
Coral reefs provide habitat φ≤s for many plants and animals, w•γ♣hile greatly affecting the•¥←♠ physical and ecological co£☆nditions of the surrounding environme©¥←λnt. Using data collecte±©≠₹d from 2,512 coral reefs arou↓β★←nd the world, Joshua Sina and£™∞ his research team from Ja₩↕γ¶mes Cook University, Australia, de♣♠↔veloped a quantitative model to study ≈★the relationship between coral reef fi£$sh biomass and environmental variables and soc≠✔±♣ioeconomics. relationship γ♥÷of factors. Such environmental variaβ≥bles include water dept₩×'h, habitat and productivity; socioecon±£>omic factors include the affluence, ma↕↕∏nagement and populatπβλion of various markets. In this model, the metri≤σγ←c "interaction with urban cen¥✘∏tres" was most associated ✘" with reef fish biomass.
The researchers also found 15 "bright sp≤¶ots" and 35 "dark spots" in cora☆"l reefs around the world. A "bright spot&£÷βquot; refers to an area where th±αe level of intrinsic biomass is signi✘♠ficantly higher (two standard deviations) than th§&>βe model predicted value; while a γ★&♣"dark spot" refers to an area πσwhere the intrinsic biomass level is significa↕$→φntly lower (two standard deviations) than the mod✔♣σel predicted value. The study showed that &α→quot;bright spots" include™∞ d some densely populated areas with high ec✘¥φological resource use, wh÷×εγile "dark spots" included some remot✔↕≥e areas, such as the North€§♠βwest Hawaiian Islands, w✘↓hich was a surprising result.
After conducting res↑₩earch on local experts in these area∞"&s, the researchers found that ₽&≤the "bright spot" areas are characteriz ♠ed by well-developed soci<'al and cultural institutπ₽$ions, high levels of πוlocal participation in management, stron•π£ g dependence on marine rσ₩esources, and favorable environment≈★™₽al conditions. Such as deep water sheltersΩ♠, etc. Conversely, "dark spot♦ " areas are characterized by δ ♦higher intensity fishing techniques and rece✘$nt natural disasters such as hurricanes an¥¶d typhoons. These results suggest that enhλ©anced fisheries management may con≥$'tribute to future reef conservation.
Source: Science and Technolo$±♠≤gy Day Edition