title: Loss of native rocky reef biodiversity in Australian metropolitan embayments.
abstract: Urbanisation of the coastal zone represents a key threat to marine biodiversity, including rocky reef communities which often possess disproportionate ecological, recreational and commercial importance. The nature and magnitude of local urban impacts on reef biodiversity near three Australian capital cities were quantified using visual census methods. The most impacted reefs in urbanised embayments were consistently characterised by smaller, faster growing species, reduced fish biomass and richness, and reduced mobile invertebrate abundance and richness. Reef faunal distribution varied significantly with heavy metals, local population density, and proximity to city ports, while native fish and invertebrate communities were most depauperate in locations where invasive species were abundant. Our study adds impetus for improved urban planning and pollution management practises, while also highlighting the potential for skilled volunteers to improve the tracking of changes in marine biodiversity values and the effectiveness of management intervention.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia. Electronic address: rstuarts@utas.edu.au.
authors.forename: Rick D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Stuart-Smith
authors.affiliation: Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia.
authors.forename: Graham J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Edgar
authors.affiliation: Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia.
authors.forename: Jemina F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Stuart-Smith
authors.affiliation: Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia.
authors.forename: Neville S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.affiliation: Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia.
authors.forename: Amelia E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Fowles
authors.affiliation: Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia.
authors.forename: Nicole A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia.
authors.forename: Antonia T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: OceanWatch Australia, Locked Bag 247, Pyrmont, NSW 2009, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrew P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.affiliation: Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia.
authors.forename: Elizabeth S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Marine Plant Laboratory, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 981-8555, Japan.
authors.forename: Jacqui B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Pocklington
authors.affiliation: Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia.
authors.forename: Russell J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Thomson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D044822:Biodiversity; D018533:Biomass; D002947:Cities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057894:Coral Reefs; D005399:Fishes; D007448:Invertebrates; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D011156:Population Density; D014507:Urbanization; D014876:Water Pollution
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy
keywords: Anthropogenic stressors; Ecology; Heavy metals; Invasive species; Temperate; Urbanisation