Maintenance of fish diversity on disturbed coral reefs Article

Maintenance of fish diversity on disturbed coral reefs - Article Example However, other studies have also shown that certain types of disturbances such as coral disease and bleaching, during which the structural complexity of the coral reefs are maintained, may actually not cause any change in species richness thus stressing the point that the extent of habitat damage and the condition of the reef will determine the fish species richness. The study analyzed the data collected from surveys carried out for a period of 11 years to determine the effect of various disturbances on the coral cover, structural complexity of the reef and diversity of the fishes. The biological and physical changes in coral reef and its consequent effect on the reef fish community were analyzed. The study encompassed documenting the changes occurring in the coral cover, structural complexity and species richness in 10 reefs along the GBR. The major disturbances that were found to occur during the study period included COTS outbreaks, storms and coral bleaching. Disturbed reefs coll ected from 47 areas which were subjected to such disturbances were used for the study.