Seagrass Structural Traits Drive Fish Assemblages in Small-Scale Fisheries

Seagrasses – a group of foundation species in coastal ecosystems provide key habitat for diverse and abundant faunal assemblages support numerous ecosystem functions services. However, whether the role seagrasses is influenced by seagrass diversity, dominant or both, remains unclear. To that end, we sought to investigate specific characteristics (e.g., traits) influence tropical fish assemblages, place this context small-scale fishery use. We surveyed variables at 55 plots, nested within 12 sites around Zanzibar (Tanzania) Western Indian Ocean, used Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) systems assess across plots. Using linear mixed models, reveal structural complexity depth were best predictors abundance, with higher abundance occurring deeper meadows high canopy, leaf length number leaves per shoot. Moreover, an interaction between cover land-use was predictor richness, where closer human impacts less affected than lower impact. Overall, models richness functional diversity as poorly explained assemblages. Fish taxa important sectors emperors, snappers, rabbitfish, parrotfish) primarily driven complexity. Our results unique analysis relationship its associated show had little effect on which instead appear traits cover. If conserving value adjacent fisheries priority protecting meadows, then areas should be chosen are waters. Any conservation measures also need balance needs fishers use resources supported seagrasses.