Applying a landscape ecology approach to quantify the structure, ecology and use of the seascape by coral reef fish assemblages at multple spatial scales

Coral reefs are one of the most ecologically and economically important ecosystems on Earth and provide key habitat to coral reef fishes. Global degradation of coral reefs is occurring rapidly as a result of direct anthropogenic stress and global climate change. Scientists and managers must embrace new and innovative ways to address these issues facing our coastal resources and the transdisciplinary approach of landscape ecology provides a theoretical background to address the complex problems facing the natural environment. The overall goal of this research was to integrate bathymetric LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology with a landscape ecological approach to quantify the structure, ecology and use of the seascape by coral reef fish assemblages.;The first objective was to determine ecologically relevant two dimensional marine landscape pattern metrics through a literature review. The second objective was to evaluate the relationship between three dimensional LiDAR-derived landscape pattern metrics and coral reef fish assemblage structure to support spatially explicit modeling. LiDAR was found to provide valuable rugosity measures and transect sites in hard bottom habitats alone demonstrated significant positive associations with LiDAR-derived habitat complexity and numerical abundance, species richness, and biomass.;The third objective was to develop spatially explicit models of fish assemblage structure across the Main Hawaiian Islands. The results demonstrate that three dimensional LiDAR-derived environmental covariables support more robust spatially predictive modeling of coral reef fish assemblage structure compared to simpler models. The results of this research: (1) represents a critical step in understanding the link between pattern and process in the ocean; (2) advance spatially predictive modeling of fish assemblages; (3) demonstrates a novel application of LiDAR technology in the marine realm; and, (4) had significant implications for marine conservation and management in Hawaii and beyond.