Open AccessReserve Sizes Needed to Protect Coral Reef Fishes
Author(s) -
Krueck Nils C.,
Legrand Christelle,
Ahmadia Gabby N.,
Green Alison,
Jones Geoffrey P.,
Riginos Cynthia,
Treml Eric A.,
Mumby Peter J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
conservation letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.153
H-Index - 79
ISSN - 1755-263X
DOI - 10.1111/conl.12415
Subject(s) - marine reserve , coral reef , marine protected area , reef , range (aeronautics) , coral reef fish , fishery , ecology , fish <actinopterygii> , environmental science , geography , biology , habitat , materials science , composite material
Abstract Marine reserves are a commonly applied conservation tool, but their size is often chosen based on considerations of socioeconomic rather than ecological impact. Here, we use a simple individual‐based model together with the latest empirical information on home ranges, densities and schooling behaviour in 66 coral reef fishes to quantify the conservation effectiveness of various reserve sizes. We find that standard reserves with a diameter of 1–2 km can achieve partial protection (≥50% of the maximum number of individuals) of 56% of all simulated species. Partial protection of the most important fishery species, and of species with diverse functional roles, required 2–10 km wide reserves. Full protection of nearly all simulated species required 100 km wide reserves. Linear regressions based on the mean home range and density, and even just the maximum length, of fish species approximated these results reliably, and can therefore be used to support locally effective decision making.