Research Article

Ecosystem-Scale Effects of Nutrients and Fishing on Coral Reefs

Table 1

Hypotheses for independent effects of nutrients and fishing*.

DependentNutrientsFishing
TCSCCFDFCFDSC
LowHighLowHigh

Fish Community

Top Predators+NA
Carnivores+NA
Planktivores++NANR
Herbivores++NANR
Large-bodied+NANANA
Small-bodied+NA + NANANR

Benthic Community

Coral + NR
CCA + NR
Turf + NR + +
Macroalgae + NR + +

*This table shows the predicted response of fish trophic and benthic taxonomic groups to nutrients and fishing. Fishing may affect the fish and benthic community through four mechanisms: (1) trophic cascades (TC), (2) size class cascades (SCC), (3) fishing down the food chain (FDFC), and (4) fishing down the size classes (FDSC). Positive responses are indicated by +, negative responses by −, and ambiguous responses by . No response is NR. Not applicable is NA. Predictions for responses to FDFC and FDSC are separated by low and high fishing pressure to distinguish between responses due to sequential fishing from high to low trophic levels or large-to small-bodied fishes.