Crucial knowledge gaps in current understanding of climate change impacts on coral reef fishes
Type
ArticleAuthors
Wilson, S. K.Adjeroud, M.
Bellwood, D. R.
Berumen, Michael L.

Booth, D.
Bozec, Y.-M.
Chabanet, P.
Cheal, A.
Cinner, J.
Depczynski, M.
Feary, D. A.
Gagliano, M.
Graham, N. A. J.
Halford, A. R.
Halpern, B. S.
Harborne, A. R.
Hoey, A. S.
Holbrook, S. J.
Jones, G. P.
Kulbiki, M.
Letourneur, Y.
De Loma, T. L.
McClanahan, T.
McCormick, M. I.
Meekan, M. G.
Mumby, P. J.
Munday, P. L.
Ohman, M. C.
Pratchett, M. S.
Riegl, B.
Sano, M.
Schmitt, R. J.
Syms, C.
KAUST Department
Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) DivisionMarine Science Program
Red Sea Research Center (RSRC)
Date
2010-02-26Online Publication Date
2010-02-26Print Publication Date
2010-03-15Permanent link to this record
http://hdl.handle.net/10754/555757
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Expert opinion was canvassed to identify crucial knowledge gaps in current understanding of climate change impacts on coral reef fishes. Scientists that had published three or more papers on the effects of climate and environmental factors on reef fishes were invited to submit five questions that, if addressed, would improve our understanding of climate change effects on coral reef fishes. Thirty-three scientists provided 155 questions, and 32 scientists scored these questions in terms of: (i) identifying a knowledge gap, (ii) achievability, (iii) applicability to a broad spectrum of species and reef habitats, and (iv) priority. Forty-two per cent of the questions related to habitat associations and community dynamics of fish, reflecting the established effects and immediate concern relating to climate-induced coral loss and habitat degradation. However, there were also questions on fish demographics, physiology, behaviour and management, all of which could be potentially affected by climate change. Irrespective of their individual expertise and background, scientists scored questions from different topics similarly, suggesting limited bias and recognition of a need for greater interdisciplinary and collaborative research. Presented here are the 53 highest-scoring unique questions. These questions should act as a guide for future research, providing a basis for better assessment and management of climate change impacts on coral reefs and associated fish communities.Citation
Crucial knowledge gaps in current understanding of climate change impacts on coral reef fishes 2010, 213 (6):894 Journal of Experimental BiologyPublisher
The Company of BiologistsJournal
Journal of Experimental BiologyAdditional Links
http://jeb.biologists.org/cgi/doi/10.1242/jeb.037895ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1242/jeb.037895