Trophic Structure Biomass of Kelp Forest Fishes In and Adjacent to Four Marine Protected Areas in Channel Islands National Park
House PH, Sprague JL, Kushner DJ. 2016. Trophic Structure Biomass of Kelp Forest Fishes In and Adjacent to Four Marine Protected Areas in Channel Islands National Park
Trophic biomass pyramids give insight into the structure, energy flow, and health of an ecological community. Recent studies have shown that the majority of biomass in pristine marine fish communities is held in large-bodied predators, portraying an inverted or top-heavy pyramid. Our objective is to provide trophic level biomass estimates of kelp forest fish communities inside and outside of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) within the Channel Islands National Park as a proxy of community health. From 2007-2015, fish size and abundance data were collected annually at 24 sites across the Park islands, with 12 sites located inside and 12 outside of four targeted MPAs. Our results show that recently (2013-2015) both piscivores and carnivores make up a large portion of the fish community with higher biomass inside MPAs. Inversely, at islands where fishing pressure is greater, small bodied planktivores have higher biomass outside of MPAs. Overall, since 2007 total fish biomass has increased both inside and outside MPAs. Continued long term monitoring can further our understanding of how kelp forests respond to protection and elucidate the resilience and health of the reefs off the Channel Islands.
- Type
- Poster
- Authors
- House, Parker; Sprague, Joshua; Kushner, David
- Date of Issue
- 2016-10
- Keywords
- channel islands national park, fish biomass, kelp forest monitoring, marine protected area, MPA, trophic structure