Abiotic and Human Drivers of Reef Habitat Complexity Throughout the Main Hawaiian Islands

A new study from Dr. Greg Asner and team explores the abiotic, or non-living, and human drivers of habitat complexity of coral reefs across the main Hawaiʿian Islands. Researchers mapped reefs in depths up to 22m to understand reef rugosity, a metric of three-dimensional habitat complexity and a central determinant of reef condition and occupancy, including corals, fishes, and invertebrates. Across the Islands of varying geologic stage and age, rugosity varies naturally, but it also may be changing due to human impacts, such as marine heatwaves and nearshore coastal development. The study found that water depth and reef slope are the primary drivers, but that nearshore coastal development is a secondary driver that is decreasing rugosity. These findings provide insight into habitat characteristics that may help fisheries managers and reef conservation practitioners to prioritize areas for protection and management objectives.

Read the full article.

Reference

Asner, G.P., Vaughn, N.R., Foo, S.A., Heckler, J., Martin, R.E. (2021) Abiotic and Human Drivers of Reef Habitat Complexity Throughout the Main Hawaiian Islands. Frontiers in Marine Science.  https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.631842