Thomas Sparke & Rachel-Louisa Gardener

• MSc Tropical Coastal Management
• Newcastle University Expedition 2014: The Relationship between coral reef complexity and fish communities, Bonaire

Coral reefs are declining in structural complexity on a global scale, most prevalent in the Caribbean, contributing to dramatic changes in fish community structure. A fuller understanding of relationships between fish communities and complexity is required to better predict future populations. No study to date had investigated nocturnal relationships or the effects of complexity on mesopredators, which have been released by overexploitation of top predators. The expedition took place in Bonaire, in the Dutch Caribbean and was chosen for its range in reef complexity, accessible dive sites and in-country contacts. The expedition was the first study to find 1) a positive nocturnal relationship between abundance, biomass, species richness and complexity, 2) diel separation in coral reef fish composition, 3) differing diurnal-nocturnal relationships between fish families and complexity, 4) grasyby (a mesopredator) to specifically select overhangs and towers 5) graysby behaviour to be largely unaffected by complexity. A public presentation on initial findings was given at the local CIEE research station and was well received. Manuscripts were submitted as MSc theses whilst being prepared for publication, which will aid policy makers and reef managers to better predict future fish populations. ​
 

Funding Source: Newcastle University Expeditions Committee