Journal article
Crucial knowledge gaps in current understanding of climate change impacts on coral reef fishes
Journal of experimental biology, Vol.213(6), pp.894-900
2010
PMID: 20190114
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Source: InCites
Abstract
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.
Details
- Title
- Crucial knowledge gaps in current understanding of climate change impacts on coral reef fishes
- Creators
- S K Wilson (Author) - Department of Environment and Conservation (Western Australia)M Adjeroud (Author) - Université de Perpignan Via Domitia (France)D R Bellwood (Author) - James Cook UniversityM L Berumen (Author) - James Cook UniversityD Booth (Author) - University of Technology SydneyY-Marie Bozec (Author) - Institut Agro Rennes-AngersP Chabanet (Author) - Institut de Recherche pour le DéveloppementA Cheal (Author) - Australian Institute of Marine ScienceJ Cinner (Author) - James Cook UniversityM Depczynski (Author) - University of Western AustraliaD A Feary (Author) - United Nations University (United Arab Emirates)M Gagliano (Author) - University of Western AustraliaN A J Graham (Author) - James Cook UniversityA R Halford (Author) - Australian Institute of Marine ScienceB S Halpern (Author) - National Center for Ecological Analysis and SynthesisA R Harborne (Author) - University of ExeterA S Hoey (Author) - James Cook UniversityS J Holbrook (Author) - University of California, Santa BarbaraG P Jones (Author) - James Cook UniversityM Kulbiki (Author) - Université de Perpignan Via Domitia (France)Y Letourneur (Author) - Université de la MéditerranéeT L De Loma (Author) - Centre de Recherches Insulaires et Observatoire de l'EnvironnementT McClanahan (Author) - Wildlife Conservation SocietyM I McCormick (Author) - James Cook UniversityM G Meekan (Author) - University of Western AustraliaP J Mumby (Author) - University of ExeterP L Munday (Author) - James Cook UniversityM C Ohman (Author) - Stockholm UniversityM S Pratchett (Author) - James Cook UniversityB Riegl (Author) - Nova Southeastern UniversityM Sano (Author) - The University of TokyoR J Schmitt (Author) - University of California, Santa BarbaraC Syms (Author) - University of Technology Sydney
- Publication Details
- Journal of experimental biology, Vol.213(6), pp.894-900
- Publisher
- England
- Identifiers
- 991012919699402368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article