Effects of Coral Bleaching on Coral Reef Fish Assemblages.

Nicholas Graham

School of Marine Science & Technology, Newcastle University (Website)

Supervisors: Professor Nicholas VC Polunin (School of Marine Science & Technology, Newcastle University), Professor John C Bythell (School of Biology, Newcastle University)

Climate change is greatly altering the composition and structure of benthic communities on coral reefs. My PhD is focussed on assessing the long-term implications of this for coral reef fish assemblages. I have conducted fieldwork in Seychelles, Mauritius and the Chagos Archipelago to repeat surveys of reef benthos and fish assemblages that were conducted prior to the devastating climate induced bleaching event of 1998. My thesis identifies changes to reef fish biodiversity, size structure, trophic composition and highlights the importance of ecological versatility and other stressors to the system. The work has implications for coral reef fisheries, management and conservation policies.

Contact:
Nicholas AJ Graham
School of Marine Science & Technology
Newcastle University
NE1 7RU
0191 222 5091
n.a.j.graham@ncl.ac.uk