@article{fdi:010042316,
  title = {{T}rophic signature of coral reef fish assemblages : towards a potential indicator of ecosystem disturbance},
  author = {{B}ozec, {Y}ves-{M}arie and {K}ulbicki, {M}ichel and {C}hassot, {E}. and {G}ascuel, {D}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{F}ace to the increasing anthropogenic disturbances that affect coral reef ecosystems, it becomes urgent to define appropriate ecological indicators for monitoring purposes. {O}ne useful approach is to search for a simplified description of the structure of biological communities that are highly diverse and complex on coral reefs. {T}o this end, we propose to represent the trophic structure of coral reef fish assemblages by using fractional trophic levels assigned to each fish species. {F}ish abundance trophic spectra (i.e., the distributions of fish abundance per trophic level) were established for the fringing reefs of two bays located in the city of {N}oumea ({N}ew {C}aledonia). {T}he comparison of these trophic spectra revealed a similar trophic structure in the two bays, in spite of contrasted levels of fish abundance due to habitat damages. {T}he embayment degree was characterized by changes in the fish trophic structure, reflecting a decreasing influence of urban and industrial wastes discharged in the bottom of the bays. {T}his case of study shows the interest of using fractional trophic levels for the description of highly diverse biological communities. {T}he trophic level-based approach offers new prospects in the search for ecological indicators, by characterizing the structure of biological communities by trophic signatures which testify to the disturbance level affecting their environment.},
  keywords = {fish community ; trophic level ; trophic structure ; ecological indicator ; anthropogenic disturbances},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{A}quatic {L}iving {R}esources},
  volume = {18},
  numero = {2},
  pages = {103--109},
  ISSN = {0990-7440},
  year = {2005},
  DOI = {10.1051/alr:2005013},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010042316},
}