The influence of herbivorous keystone fish species on the recruitment and growth of corals on artificial reefs: a study regarding the influence of Acanthuridae and Scaridae on coral recruitment and growth on three different types of artificial reefs: reef

Student Report 

Coral reefs are one of the most important ecosystems in the world, in terms of both biological diversity and economy. These ecosystems are under a great amount of threats (e.g. climate change, pollution, coastal development and overfishing), which can lead to reef degradation and decrease of three-dimensional structure. In the worst-case scenario this can result in coral-algal phase shifts, this is in particular occurring when herbivorous fish are over exploited. The aim of this study was to investigate possible relations between herbivorous fish groups (Acanthuridae and Scaridae), coral recruitment and growth rates, on three different types artificial reefs on Saba and St. Eustatius.

For more information contact Alwin Hylkema: alwin.hylkema@hvhl.nl