The role of macroalgae as nursery areas for fish species within coastal seascapes

Abstract

Abstract One of the most critical ecosystem functions provided by shallow coastal habitats is as nurseries for the juveniles of fish. Many of the studies that have assessed the nursery function of structurally complex coastal habitats have compared seagrass with unstructured sand and mud and as such, seagrass has emerged as the most important coastal nursery habitat for juvenile fishes. Although considerably less work has focussed on the nursery provision of structurally complex macroalgae within coastal nursery seascapes, recent work has started to highlight that the nursery provision of canopy-forming macroalgae may in fact be comparable with that of seagrass. This review collates research published on the important nursery role of macroalgae within both tropical and temperate coastal seascapes and highlights the importance of smaller canopy-forming brown algae from the Fucalean genera (particularly Sargassum spp.) as core nursery areas for juvenile fishes, particularly emperors (Lethrinidae), rabbitfishes (Siganidae), wrasse and parrotfishes (Labridae), goatfishes (Mullidae), groupers (Serranidae), surgeonfish (Acanthuridae) and damselfish (Pomacentridae) within tropical back-reef systems. Similarly, in temperate nursery seascapes, fucoid (Cystoseira spp.) and macroalgae-dominated reefs were important nursery habitats for damselfish (Chromis chromis), groupers and numerous species of wrasse and sparids (Sparidae). Although the overall density of juvenile fish was not shown to be higher in kelp relative to other temperate nursery habitats, kelp was important in the recruitment of Notolabrus celiodotus (wrasse), Paralabrax clathrus (Serranidae), Brachyistius frenatus (Embiotocidae), Heterostichus rostratus (Clinidae) and Sebastes spp. (Scorpaenidae). Although not interchangeable (fish communities were often different), the nursery function of structurally complex macroalgae was found to be similar to that of seagrass in both temperate and tropical seascapes.