https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Index ${session.getAttribute("locale")} 5 https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:39161 in situ microhabitat assessments to assess whether reef fish community structure on shallow (6-9 m) rocky reefs varied with spatial management zone (NTAs versus PPAs), sampling season (autumn, spring) and benthic habitat condition around coastal islands and headlands within the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park (established in 2007). While fish community composition and the relative abundance of fish species did not differ significantly across spatial management zones, there were significant differences among sampling season, and spatial variation at the site level that was partly explained by geomorphology (island/headland). Notably, there was a strong association between variation in fish community structure and site-level cover of canopy-forming macroalgae among islands and headlands, which transcended management zones. Our study suggests that balancing habitat condition and geomorpho-logical setting (islands, headlands) among management zones is key to the conservation and management of shallow-water reef fish assemblages. In particular, the percent cover of canopy-forming macroalgae may be a key habitat indicator for designing, monitoring and re-balancing spatial management zones.]]> Wed 22 Mar 2023 18:16:59 AEDT ]]> https://ogma.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:48857 Thu 13 Apr 2023 09:52:49 AEST ]]>