SEMINAR: Effects of marine reserves on herbivore and their functional role on temperate reefs

A key objective of marine reserves is to maintain ecological processes essential to the functioning of marine ecosystems. Grazing by tropical herbivores contributes to maintaining resilient coral reefs and marine reserves are critical in conserving herbivores and the functional role they provide. Less is known, however, about the effects of marine reserves on herbivorous fish and their role on temperate reefs. This study assessed the effects of marine reserves on herbivores and their functional role on temperate reefs. I (i) assessed movement patterns of fish in relation to marine reserves using acoustic telemetry, (ii) assessed patterns of size and abundance of herbivores inside and outside marine reserves using a diver operated stereo-video system, and (iii) quantified grazing rates to assess the effects of protection on the functional role provided by grazers on temperate reefs. The findings in this study show (i) strong site fidelity for a key herbivore on temperate reefs, (ii) greater size and/or abundance of herbivores inside marine reserves, and (iii) higher average grazing rates inside marine reserves, demonstrating the clear potential for enhanced grazing by herbivores on temperate reefs.