Current Research
Priority effects and the dynamics of coral reef fish communities
Publications:
- Poulos DE, McCormick MI (2015) Asymmetries in body condition and order of arrival influence competitive ability and survival in a coral reef fish. Oecologia DOI: 10.1007/s00442-015-3401-8
- Poulos DE, McCormick MI (2014) Who wins in the battle for space? The importance of priority, behavioural history and size. Animal Behaviour 90: 305-314
Distribution and biodiversity value of an uncommon soft coral species
Dendronephthya australis in the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park. Photo: David Harasti
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The Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park (PSGLMP) is home to a beautiful and uncommon soft coral species, Dendronephthya australis. This species is a habitat for numerous marine fishes and invertebrates. Specifically, it is an important nursery habitat for juvenile snapper, a species of recreational and commercial fishery importance. The marine park is the only known location where D. australis occurs in such large abundance.
However, the soft coral is also under serious threat from fishing line entanglement, boat anchor damage, and smothering from significant sand movement in the area, which have resulted in the death of many soft coral colonies. Unfortunately there are currently no protection measures in place to conserve D. australis, since it is not found within sanctuary (no-take) zones. Research is currently ongoing to obtain further information to contribute in the assessment of D. australis being listed as a 'threatened habitat' in NSW. |
Publications:
- Poulos DE, Gallen C, Davis T, Booth DJ, Harasti D (2015) Distribution and spatial modeling of a soft coral habitat in the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park: implications for management. Marine and Freshwater Research DOI: 10.1071/MF14059
- Poulos DE, Harasti D, Gallen C, Booth DJ (2013) Biodiversity value of a geographically restricted soft coral habitat within a temperate estuary. Aquatic Conservation: Marine & Freshwater Ecosystems 23: 838-849
Previous Research
Growth and temperature relationships of juvenile fishes: implications of climate change
It is important to understand how species' ranges will change under future climate conditions and how these changes will affect their physiological ability to grow and survive. By examining the growth rates of juvenile fishes from estuarine seagrass beds under varying temperatures and in light of their current latitudinal ranges, we suggest that predicted increases in estuarine temperatures through climate change may change the relative performance of these fish species.
Publications:
- Booth DJ, Poulos DE, Poole J, Feary DA (2014) Growth and temperature relationships for juvenile fish species in seagrass beds: implications of climate change. Journal of Fish Biology 84: 231-236