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Seagrass patch size affects fish responses to edges

  1. Timothy M. Smith1,2,*,
  2. Jeremy S. Hindell1,3,
  3. Greg P. Jenkins1,4,
  4. Rod M. Connolly5

Article first published online: 28 JUL 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2009.01605.x

Issue

Journal of Animal Ecology

Journal of Animal Ecology

Volume 79, Issue 1, pages 275–281, January 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Smith, T. M., Hindell, J. S., Jenkins, G. P. and Connolly, R. M. (2010), Seagrass patch size affects fish responses to edges. Journal of Animal Ecology, 79: 275–281. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2656.2009.01605.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia

  2. 2

    Victorian Marine Science Consortium, PO Box 114, Queenscliff, Vic. 3225, Australia

  3. 3

    Arthur Rylah Institute, Department of Sustainability and Environment, PO Box 137 Heidelberg, Vic. 3084, Australia

  4. 4

    Marine and Freshwater Fisheries Research Institute, Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 114, Queenscliff, Vic. 3225, Australia

  5. 5

    Australian Rivers Institute – Coast & Estuaries, and School of Environment, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld 4222, Australia

* E-mail: t.smith11@prgad.unimelb.edu.au

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 11 DEC 2009
  2. Article first published online: 28 JUL 2009
  3. Received 15 April 2009; accepted 7 July 2009 Handling Editor: Bror Jonsson

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Keywords:

  • edge effects;
  • fish;
  • landscape structure;
  • patch size;
  • seagrass

Summary

1. Patch area and proximity of patch edge can influence ecological processes across patchy landscapes and may interact with each other. Different patch sizes have different amounts of core habitat, potentially affecting animal abundances at the edge and middle of patches. In this study, we tested if edge effects varied with patch size.

2. Fish were sampled in 10 various-sized seagrass patches (114–5934 m2) using a small (0·5 m2) push net in three positions within each patch: the seagrass edge, 2 m into a patch and in the middle of a patch.

3. The two most common species showed an interaction between patch size and the edge–interior difference in abundance. In the smallest patches, pipefish (Stigmatopora nigra) were at similar densities at the edge and interior, but with increasing patch size, the density at the edge habitat increased. For gobies (Nesogobius maccullochi), the pattern was exactly the opposite.

4. This is the first example from a marine system of how patch size can influence the magnitude and pattern of edge effects.

5. Both patch area and edge effects need to be considered in the development of conservation and management strategies for seagrass habitats.

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