The contributions of habitat structure and larval supply to broad-scale recruitment variability in a temperate zone, seagrass-associated fish

Abstract

The contribution of habitat structure and larval supply to broad-scale spatial variability in recruitment of a temperate zone, seagrass associated fish, Sillaginodes punctata (Cuvier and Valenciennes), was investigated in Port Phillip Bay, Australia, from September to November, 1994. Replicate artificial seagrass beds were placed at five sites over a 50 km section of coastline, and artificial and adjacent natural seagrass were sampled approximately fornightly for Sillaginodes punctata recruitment. Significant differences in recruitment amongst sites were apparent for both natural and artificial seagrass. A small but significant effect of habitat was detected where more recruits occurred in a..