Journal article
Quantifying the effects of extreme flooding on coastal reef fishes
Ecology (Durham), Vol.106(6), pp.e70143-n/a
01/06/2025
PMID: 40568961
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Abstract
The ecological impacts of extreme floods to benthic ecosystems in oceanic environments remain unclear, as events are difficult to observe and quantify. Between 2020 and 2022, an unusually long La Nina resulted in substantial flooding across southeastern Australia. Major floods in the Hawkesbury-Nepean River led to an unprecedented flood plume extending similar to 70 km offshore to depths of similar to 50 m, exposing coastal biodiversity to rare environmental conditions. Here, we use long-term monitoring data to quantify the impacts of large-scale flooding to coastal rocky reef fishes. Flooding reduced the total abundance and species richness of reef fishes by 50% and 13%, respectively. Declines were primarily due to reductions in the abundance of planktivores (-75%) and benthic invertivores (-40%). Assemblages at reference locations isolated from large rivers were stable across the study period, indicating observed patterns were in response to floods. Surveys 1-year post flooding signaled that benthic invertivores were beginning to recover but not planktivores. Our results demonstrate the detrimental impacts of extreme flooding to some coastal rocky reef fishes. Given projected increases in the severity and frequency of rainfall due to climate change, our findings suggest that extreme flooding may compromise ecosystem functions and services provided by rocky reef fish in a future climate.
Details
- Title
- Quantifying the effects of extreme flooding on coastal reef fishes
- Creators
- Matthew J. Rees - New South Wales Department of Primary IndustriesNathan A. Knott - New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (Coffs Harbour)David Harasti - New South Wales Department of Primary IndustriesTimothy C. Ingleton - Coastal Carolina UniversityHamish A. Malcolm - New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (Coffs Harbour)Rachel Przeslawski - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Ecology (Durham), Vol.106(6), pp.e70143-n/a
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 9
- Grant note
- Australian Government
- Identifiers
- 991013372610302368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article