Crucial knowledge gaps in current understanding of climate change impacts on coral reef fishes

• DOI: 10.1242/jeb.037895
• Publication Date: 2010-02-26T19:14:29Z
• Authors: S. K. Wilson; M. Adjeroud; D. R. Bellwood; M. L. Berumen; D. Booth; Y.-Marie Bozec; P. Chabanet; A. Cheal; J. Cinner; M. Depczynski; D. A. Feary; M. Gagliano; N. A. J. Graham; A. R. Halford; B. S. Halpern; A. R. Harborne; A. S. Hoey; S. J. Holbrook; G. P. Jones; M. Kulbiki; Y. Letourneur; T. L. De Loma; T. McClanahan; M. I. McCormick; M. G. Meekan; P. J. Mumby; P. L. Munday; M. C. Öhman; M. S. Pratchett; B. Riegl; M. Sano; R. J. Schmitt; C. Syms
• Keywords: Demographics

SUMMARY Expert opinion was canvassed to identify crucial knowledge gaps in current understanding of climate change impacts on coral reef fishes. Scientists that had published three or more papers the effects and environmental factors fishes were invited submit five questions that, if addressed, would improve our Thirty-three scientists provided 155 questions, 32 scored these terms of: (i) identifying a gap, (ii) achievability, (iii) applicability broad spectrum species habitats, (iv) priority. Forty-two per cent related habitat associations community dynamics fish, reflecting established immediate concern relating climate-induced loss degradation. However, there also fish demographics, physiology, behaviour management, all which could be potentially affected by change. Irrespective their individual expertise background, from different topics similarly, suggesting limited bias recognition need for greater interdisciplinary collaborative research. Presented here are 53 highest-scoring unique questions. These should act as guide future research, providing basis better assessment management reefs associated communities.