@article{fdi:010094353,
  title = {{C}onserving the beauty of the world's reef fish assemblages},
  author = {{M}c{L}ean, {M}. and {M}ouillot, {D}. and {L}anglois, {J}. and {A}rif, {S}. and {B}ejarano, {S}. and {C}asajus, {N}. and {E}dgar, {G}. {J}. and {F}landrin, {U}. and {G}uilhaumon, {F}ran{\c{c}}ois and {J}udah, {A}. {B}. and {L}oiseau, {N}. and {M}ac{N}eil, {M}. {A}. and {M}aire, {E}va and {S}tuart-{S}mith, {R}. {D}. and {M}ouquet, {N}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{O}n shallow rocky and coral reefs, cultural and recreational values, like aesthetics, are critical aspects of {N}ature's {C}ontributions to {P}eople ({NCP}) that support human well- being and provide billions of dollars in tourism revenue. {Q}uantifying the aesthetic value of reef ecosystems and uncovering the conditions that enhance it could support {NCP}- based management. {H}ere, we combine a global dataset of reef fish surveys, species- level aesthetic values, and causal modeling to assess the global status and drivers of reef fish assemblage aesthetic value. {W}e find that aesthetic value is inherently linked to species richness, displaying a latitudinal gradient with peaks in the tropics, but varies strongly with the presence of exceptionally beautiful or less- beautiful species. {S}ea surface temperature, primary productivity, human gravity, and protection status are the strongest drivers of assemblage- level aesthetic value. {P}rotection against human impacts consistently enhances aesthetic value by boosting taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity, and this effect is greatest in species- rich, tropical ecoregions. {E}conomic development has little influence, indicating that low- income countries are not constrained from maintaining beautiful fish assemblages. {O}ur results therefore suggest that marine protected areas ({MPA}s) can support multiple {NCP}s simultaneously, particularly in developing tropical countries. {W}hile we highlight the effectiveness of {MPA}s, given the low level of marine protection globally and the sensitivity of aesthetic value to environmental conditions, the beauty of the world's reefs appears severely threatened. {A}esthetic value should be immediately integrated into reef conservation and management plans.},
  keywords = {ecology ; ecosystem services ; conservation ; causal inference ; {MONDE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{P}roceedings of the {N}ational {A}cademy of {S}ciences of the {U}nited {S}tates of {A}merica},
  volume = {122},
  numero = {25},
  pages = {e2415931122 [11 p.]},
  ISSN = {0027-8424},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.1073/pnas.2415931122},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010094353},
}