Do resources or natural enemies drive bee population dynamics in fragmented habitats?

The relative importance of bottom-up or top-down forces has been mainly studied for herbivores but rarely for pollinators. Habitat fragmentation might change driving forces of population dynamics by reducing the area of resource-providing habitats, disrupting habitat connectivity, and affecting natural enemies more than their host species. We studied spatial and temporal population dynamics of the solitary bee Osmia rufa (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) in 30 fragmented orchard meadows ranging in size from 0.08 to 5.8 ha in an agricultural landscape in central Germany. From 1998 to 2003, we monitored local bee population size, rate of parasitism, and rate of larval and pupal mortality in reed trap nests as an accessible and standardized nesting resource. Experimentally enhanced nest site availability resulted in a steady increase of mean local population size from 80 to 2740 brood cells between 1998 and 2002. Population size and species richness of natural enemies increased with habitat area, whereas rate of parasitism and mortality only varied among years. Inverse density-dependent parasitism in three study years with highest population size suggests rather destabilizing instead of regulating effects of top-down forces. Accordingly, an analysis of independent time series showed on average a negative impact of population size on population growth rates but provides no support for top-down regulation by natural enemies. We conclude that population dynamics of O. rufa are mainly driven by bottom-up forces, primarily nest site availability.     

Identification of 1-methyloctyl butanoate as the major sex pheromone component from females of the saddle gall midge,Haplodiplosis marginata (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae)

The saddle gall midge, Haplodiplosis marginata (von Roser) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), has undergone a resurgence recently as a pest of cereals in Belgium and other European countries. An effective monitoring tool of saddle gall midge flights is needed to understand the enigmatic population dynamics of this pest, and to design an integrated management strategy. Therefore, volatile compounds emitted by females (alkan-2-ols and alk-2-yl butanoates) were identified, and the chirality of the emitted esters was determined to be the R absolute configuration. In field-trapping experiments, racemic non-2-yl butanoate attracted substantial numbers of H. marginata males. Thus, this compound will be useful in baited traps for monitoring seasonal flight patterns, and improving integrated management of the saddle gall midge in agricultural systems.     

Habitat distribution and species diversity of chaetodontid and pomacentrid fishes near Bimini,Bahamas

The relative abundance of chaetodontid and pomacentrid fishes in 8 habitats, ranging in depth from 0.5 to 17 m, was determined by visual counting of free-swimming fish in the field. Habitat widths and overlaps were determined using weighting factors, developed by Colwell and Futuyma (1971), which account for the different degree of uniqueness of each habitat. The average habitat widths and the average habitat overlaps were greater for the chaetodontids than the pomacentrids. This was due, in part, to the greater use of habitat structure by the pomacentrids, and it is hypothesized that this is because they are the more vulnerable to predation. The juveniles and adults reached peak abundance in different habitats for at least some of the species, and this may further reduce the habitat-overlap values for adults of some pairs of species. It is clear, however, that the ability of the species in these families to coexist is largely due to factors operating within habitats rather than to a large degree of habitat specialization.     

Factors affecting the burrowing behaviour of Helice tridens (Grapsidae) and Macrophthalmus japonicus (Ocypodidae) in an estuary of northeast Japan

Helice tridens (De Haan) (Grapsidae) and Macrophthalmus japonicus (De Haan) (Ocypodidae) build separate burrows in reed marshes and muddy tidal flats, respectively, in the brackish-water estuaries of northeast Japan (38°11N, 141°48E). Habitat segregation between burrows of these two species was analysed by comparing the density of burrows of both species in their natural habitats, and on tidal flats subjected to various types of artificial treatment, in the summer of 1981 and 1982. Baskets, containing many stones, were placed on the ground in the reed marsh, tidal flat and creek and attracted many individuals of H. tridens, but not M. japonicus. When stones were placed on an area of tidal flat, H. tridens frequently formed burrows at the border between the stones and mud, suggesting that burrowing of H. tridens was related to the presence of solid substances lying on the ground, such as stones and shoots of the reed Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. In closed systems on the tidal flat and reed marsh, H. tridens and M. japonicus were able to construct burrows in both substrata regardless of high or low frequency. Moreover, it was recognized that H. tridens prevented the burrowing of M. japonicus in these closed systems. These results suggested that habitat segregation between H. tridens and M. japonicus burrows was caused primarily by an exclusive interaction between individuals of these two species.     

Shoreline Development Drives Invasion of Phragmites australis and the Loss of Plant Diversity on New England Salt Marshes

Abstract:  The reed Phragmites australis Cav. is aggressively invading salt marshes along the Atlantic Coast of North America. We examined the interactive role of habitat alteration (i.e., shoreline development) in driving this invasion and its consequences for plant richness in New England salt marshes. We surveyed 22 salt marshes in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, and quantified shoreline development, Phragmites cover, soil salinity, and nitrogen availability. Shoreline development, operationally defined as removal of the woody vegetation bordering marshes, explained >90% of intermarsh variation in Phragmites cover. Shoreline development was also significantly correlated with reduced soil salinities and increased nitrogen availability, suggesting that removing woody vegetation bordering marshes increases nitrogen availability and decreases soil salinities, thus facilitating Phragmites invasion. Soil salinity (64%) and nitrogen availability (56%) alone explained a large proportion of variation in Phragmites cover, but together they explained 80% of the variation in Phragmites invasion success. Both univariate and aggregate (multidimensional scaling) analyses of plant community composition revealed that Phragmites dominance in developed salt marshes resulted in an almost three-fold decrease in plant species richness. Our findings illustrate the importance of maintaining integrity of habitat borders in conserving natural communities and provide an example of the critical role that local conservation can play in preserving these systems. In addition, our findings provide ecologists and natural resource managers with a mechanistic understanding of how human habitat alteration in one vegetation community can interact with species introductions in adjacent communities (i.e., flow-on or adjacency effects) to hasten ecosystem degradation.     

林下和撂荒地生境紫茎泽兰幼苗的生长特征及其种内竞争形态反应

比较研究了林下和撂荒地生境有无竞争条件下紫茎泽兰（Ageratina adenophora（Sprengel））幼苗的生长特征、生长速率、生物量和种内竞争的形态反应。结果表明：（1）2类生境条件下紫茎泽兰植株幼苗形态特征基本一致,无竞争条件下紫茎泽兰幼苗根长和叶片数明显高于在竞争条件下对应指标值;（2）同类生境中,在无竞争条件下紫茎泽兰幼苗的生长速率、生物量积累显著比在竞争条件下的高;（3）不同生境中,撂荒地生境紫茎泽兰幼苗生物量显著高于林下生境的值,在无竞争条件下,林下生境紫茎泽兰幼苗生长速率比撂荒地生境的高,而在竞争条件下反之;（4）林下和撂荒地生境紫茎泽兰幼苗植株竞争强度差异不显著,但在林下生境其地上部分的竞争强度显著大于其在撂荒地生境的值,而根的竞争强度相反。可见,紫茎泽兰幼苗在种群建立的过程中具有不同的生态适应性和形态反应,这可能是其能成功入侵不同生境的一种重要生理生态策略。     

Morphology, growth and carbohydrate storage of the plant Typha angustifolia at different water depths

Morphological characteristics, growth and carbohydrate storage dynamics of Typha angustifolia in relation to water depth were investigated. The study was based on observations carried out in two stands, namely Akigase and Teganuma, for two growth seasons. The latter stand was about two times deeper than the former. Teganuma stands exhibited significantly higher number of thick shoots compared to those of Akigase. Conversely, the difference in shoot heights between the two stands was insignificant. The same was true for rhizome lengths. Rhizome diameters were significantly bigger for Teganuma compared to Akigase. Furthermore, both the above and belowground biomass were significantly higher for Teganuma compared to those of Akigase. Teganuma stands allocated 55% of the total biomass to the aboveground parts, while Akigase stands allocated 60%. Similarly, Teganuma exhibited significantly higher stocks of total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) compared to Akigase. The higher number of thick shoots and the relatively bigger rhizome diameters in Teganuma are seemingly important tolerance strategies in maintaining effective aeration into the rhizosphere, by reducing internal resistance. In addition, the higher TNC stocks and biomass help not only to enhance survival under anoxia for longer durations, they also provide firm substrate anchorage in the deeper Teganuma stands.     

Source-Sink Models and the Problem of Habitat Degradation: General Models and Applications to the Yellowstone Grizzly

I used source-sink population models to explore the consequences of habitat degradation for populations living on good and degraded habitats linked by movement. In particular, I modeled the conversion of land from good habitat quality supporting positive population growth to a degraded condition in which there was population decline. I found that with high rates of movement between good and bad quality areas populations require relatively large amounts of good habitat to remain stable. However, low movement rates resulted in greater sensitivity of population growth to habitat loss. Even small amounts of habitat degradation could result in rapid changes in overall population growth rates depending upon the rates of population increase and decline in the two habitat types. I also developed and simulated an age-structured model for grizzly bears ( Ursus arctos horribilis ) existing in good and degraded habitats and fit this model to data from the Yellowstone grizzly population. I used this model to predict the ability to detect crucial amounts of habitat degradation from census data and found that when degradation is slow (e.g., 1% conversion of good to poor habitat per year), more than a decade may pass between crucial amounts of degradation—beyond which populations begin long-term decline—and its detection, even if census data were unrealistically good. Thus these simple models indicate that, at least in some circumstances, habitat degradation can have rapid and severe impacts on population dynamics and traditional monitoring programs may not be adequate to detect the consequences of degradation.     

The good and the bad stopover: behaviours of migrant reed warblers at two contrasting sites

Successful migration for passerine birds depends largely on the quality of stopover habitats, but we still lack complete knowledge of how migrants search for habitats en route and how they behave when landing at poor quality stopover sites. We compared the distance of exploratory movements and stopover durations of the reed warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus, a reedbed habitat specialist, released at suitable (reed bed) and unsuitable (sand dune) stopover sites. Birds tape-lured during nocturnal migration to a sand dune were captured, radio-tagged, released and tracked at two sites of contrasting habitat quality. Lean birds were found to move further in the dunes (max. 300 m) than in reeds (max. 200 m), whereas ‘fat’ individuals at both sites remained stationary. Birds spent just 1 day in the dunes and up to 13 days in the reeds. Our results suggest that some nocturnal migrants with restricted diurnal exploratory movements depend on stopover site selection when ceasing nocturnal flight.     

Modeling the Effects of Habitat Fragmentation on Source and Sink Demography of Neotropical Migrant Birds

Many songbird populations in the midwestem United States are structured as a network of sources and sinks that are linked by dispersal. We used a modeling approach to examine explicitly how populations respond to incremental fragmentation of source habitat and how this response may vary depending upon two life-history attributes: fidelity to natal habitat type and reproductive strength of the source. Fragmentation of source habitat led to a predictable decline in population for both attributes examined, but the manner in which populations declined varied depending upon the reproductive strength of the source and the level of fidelity. When the source was weak and produced few excess individuals, fragmentation of source habitats resulted in a predictable and parallel population decline of adults in both the source and the sink. In this situation high fidelity to natal habitats was important for maintenance of population size and structure. Low fidelity to weak sources resulted in population extinction; populations experienced a demographic cost by dispersing from high quality source habitat to low quality sink habitat. In contrast, when the source was strong and produced many excess individuals, fragmentation of the source led to population declines in both the source and the sink, but this decline was more abrupt in sink habitats. When the source was strong and produced a large excess of individuals, nonfidelity to natal habitats had little effect on metapopulation size and structure.     

Arthropod food web restoration following removal of an invasive wetland plant.

Restoration of habitats impacted by invasive plants is becoming an increasingly important tool in the management of native biodiversity, though most studies do not go beyond monitoring the abundance of particular taxonomic groups, such as the return of native vegetation. Yet, the reestablishment of trophic interactions among organisms in restored habitats is equally important if we are to monitor and understand how ecosystems recover. This study examined whether food web interactions among arthropods (as inferred by abundance of naturally occurring stable isotopes of C [delta13C] and N [delta15N]) were reestablished in the restoration of a coastal Spartina alterniflora salt marsh that had been invaded by Phragmites australis. From patterns of C and N stable isotopes we infer that trophic interactions among arthropods in the native salt marsh habitats are characterized by reliance on the dominant marsh plant Spartina as a basal resource. Herbivores such as delphacid planthoppers and mirid bugs have isotope signatures characteristic of Spartina, and predatory arthropods such as dolicopodid flies and spiders likewise have delta13C and delta15N signatures typical of Spartina-derived resources (approximately -13 per thousand and 10 per thousand, respectively). Stable isotope patterns also suggest that the invasion of Phragmites into salt marshes and displacement of Spartina significantly alter arthropod food web interactions. Arthropods in Phragmites-dominated sites have delta13C isotope values between -18 per thousand and -20 per thousand, suggesting reliance on detritus and/or benthic microalgae as basal resources and not on Phragmites, which has a delta13C approximately -26 per thousand. Since most Phragmites herbivores are either feeding internally or are rare transients from nearby Spartina, these resources do not provide significant prey resources for other arthropod consumers. Rather, predator isotope signatures in the invaded habitats indicate dependence on detritus/algae as basal resources instead of the dominant vegetation. The reestablishment of Spartina after removal of Phragmites, however, not only returned species assemblages typical of reference (uninvaded) Spartina, but stable isotope signatures suggest that the trophic interactions among the arthropods were also similar in reestablished habitats. Specifically, both herbivores and predators showed characteristic Spartina signatures, suggesting the return of the original grazer-based food web structure in the restored habitats.     

Savanna tree density, herbivores, and the herbaceous community: bottom-up vs. top-down effects

Herbivores choose their habitats both to maximize forage intake and to minimize their risk of predation. For African savanna herbivores, the available habitats range in woody cover from open areas with few trees to dense, almost-closed woodlands. This variation in woody cover or density can have a number of consequences for herbaceous species composition, cover, and productivity, as well as for ease of predator detection and avoidance. Here, we consider two alternative possibilities: first, that tree density affects the herbaceous vegetation, with concomitant "bottom-up" effects on herbivore habitat preferences; or, second, that tree density affects predator visibility, mediating "top-down" effects of predators on herbivore habitat preferences. We sampled sites spanning a 10-fold range of tree densities in an Acacia drepanolobium-dominated savanna in Laikipia, Kenya, for variation in (1) herbaceous cover, composition, and species richness; (2) wild and domestic herbivore use; and (3) degree of visibility obstruction by the tree layer. We then used structural equation modeling to consider the potential influences that tree density may have on herbivores and herbaceous community properties. Tree density was associated with substantial variation in herbaceous species composition and richness. Cattle exhibited a fairly uniform use of the landscape, whereas wild herbivores, with the exception of elephants, exhibited a strong preference for areas of low tree density. Model results suggest that this was not a response to variation in herbaceous-community characteristics, but rather a response to the greater visibility associated with more open places. Elephants, in contrast, preferred areas with higher densities of trees, apparently because of greater forage availability. These results suggest that, for all but the largest species, top-down behavioral effects of predator avoidance on herbivores are mediated by tree density. This, in turn, appears to have cascading effects on the herbaceous vegetation. These results shed light on one of the major features of the "landscape of fear" in which African savanna herbivores exist.     

Iberian Lynx in a Fragmented Landscape: Predispersal, Dispersal, and Postdispersal Habitats

Abstract: Applied conservation biology must provide solutions for the conservation of species in modern landscapes, where prime habitats are being continuously fragmented and altered and animals are restricted to small, nonviable populations. We studied habitat selection in a fragmented population of endangered Iberian lynx (   Lynx pardinus ) by examining 14 years of radiotracking data obtained from lynx trapped in two different source areas. Habitat selection was studied independently for predispersal lynx in the source areas, for dispersing individuals through the region, and for postdispersing animals, most of which settled far from their point of origin. A multivariate analysis of variance showed that habitat use differed significantly among these phases and between area of origin, but not between sexes. The habitat type most used, and best represented within home ranges, was the mediterranean scrubland. Pine plantations were also important during and after dispersal. The rest of the habitats were either avoided (open habitats) or used according to availability ( pine and eucalyptus plantations) by dispersing lynx. Differences due to lynx origin were detected only during predispersal and dispersal and were observed because animals from each area had different habitat availability. Lynx with established territories did not use areas at random. They occupied patches of mediterranean scrubland more often than would be expected from scrubland availability during predispersal; the rest of the habitats were included within home ranges less than would be expected from their availability in the landscape. Results indicate that dispersing animals may use habitats of lower quality than habitats used by resident individuals, which suggests that conservation strategies applied across regions might be a viable objective.     

The effects of castration, sex ratio and population density on social segregation and habitat use in Soay sheep

We analysed 16 years of census data gathered on the island of Hirta (archipelago of St. Kilda) to investigate the effects of castration, population density, sex ratio, season and group type on habitat use and social segregation of Soay sheep. From 1978 to 1980, 72 male lambs were castrated. We used this experiment to study how a change in reproductive status could affect sociality and habitat choice of these males. Males, females and castrates were all segregated outside the rutting season in autumn. Castrates were the least segregated from females in spring and summer but were most segregated from them during the pre-rut. The more equal the sex ratios, the higher was the degree of social segregation. The three sex classes used similar habitat types, namely, Holcus agrostis, Agrostis festuca and Calluna habitats. Holcus agrostis and Agrostis festuca were top- and second-ranked in female and castrate habitat use, while Holcus agrostis and Calluna were the two top habitat types used by rams. It is unclear why males included Calluna heath habitats, but it cannot be excluded that they might have shifted their use depending on forage availability. A lack in differences in habitat use between castrates and females suggests that body size differences alone cannot be the driving factor for habitat segregation in male and female Soay sheep and that there are reasons other than body size that could motivate reproductive males to use additional habitat types, such as Calluna heath. Although habitat use shifted from one habitat type to the next between low- and high-population-density years and between seasons, there was no clear link between population density and how different groups (male, female or castrate) used these areas. We discuss effects of reproductive status, population density and sex ratio on social segregation and habitat use and suggest that these factors need to be taken into account when investigating causes of sexual segregation in ungulates.     

Geographic variation in social organization of Galápagos mockingbirds: ecological correlates of group territoriality and cooperative breeding

Summary To investigate ecological influences on cooperative social organization, I studied the four allopatric species of mockingbirds (Nesomimus spp.) endemic to the Galápagos archipelago on four islands. On three small, low and arid islands (Genovesa, Champion and Española), mockingbird territories filled all terrestrial habitat, mean group size varied from 4.5 to 14.2 adults, maximum group size ranged from seven to 24 birds, and 70–100% of groups contained more than two birds. San Cristóbal is larger and higher, and it supports a broader range of habitats. At one highland and two coastal sites on this island, mockingbirds did not hold territories in all available habitats, group size averaged 2.2 adults, only 25% of groups were larger than two, and none included more than three adults. Adults dispersed into vacant habitat to establish new territories only on San Cristóbal. Helping behavior has not yet been observed on San Cristóbal, but it occurs on the other three islands. These results support the hypothesis that social groups and cooperative breeding are maintained where limited availability of preferred habitat constrains dispersal. The mechanism relaxing habitat saturation on San Cristóbal, however, remains undetermined. Predation by introduced rats and cats may reduce survival and indirectly reduce group size; these predators are absent from Genovesa, Champion and Española. Differences in food supplies could also affect interand intra-island variation in population density. Variation in social organization among arid coastal sites on the four islands, and similarity between climatically different sites on San Cristóbal, suggest that climatic conditions are less important as determinants of dispersal and breeding. Skews in adult sex ratios also fail to account for inter-island variation in sociality. Although they live in a climatically variable environment, territorial behavior and the physical limits of suitable habitat have an overriding influence on cooperative social organization in Galápagos mockingbirds.     

扎龙湿地丹顶鹤巢址空间分布变化及其对环境变化指征

扎龙国家级湿地保护区是我国一级保护鸟类丹顶鹤最重要的集中繁殖栖息地。以扎龙保护区为研究区,利用质心模型和最近邻体模型等方法,模拟1996至2004年间丹顶鹤（Grus japonensis）巢址的空间分布变化,分析这种变化对环境变化的指示作用。结果表明：丹顶鹤种群巢址分布出现向核心区集中的现象,鹤巢平均最近邻体距离大幅减少,巢址的空间分布格局由1996年的均匀分布转变为2004年的成群分布型;丹顶鹤巢址的空间分布变化表明该区环境发生巨大的变化：1996年核心区内栖息资源相对均匀、丰富,而缓冲区和实验区适宜生境呈零星分布格局,此后生境质量经历了由适宜一非适宜,适宜生境空间分布由均匀一斑块化的过程,到2004年各功能区适宜生境数量大幅减少,且核心区内适宜生境斑块化严重。为研究区丹顶鹤种群及其生境的保护和管理提供参考。     

Assessing Habitat Quality for a Migratory Songbird Wintering in Natural and Agricultural Habitats

Abstract:  As tropical forests are cleared, a greater proportion of migratory songbirds are forced to winter in agricultural and disturbed habitats, which, if poorer in quality than natural forests, could contribute to population declines. We compared demographic indicators of habitat quality for a focal species, the American Redstart ( Setophaga ruticilla ), wintering in Jamaican citrus orchards and shade coffee plantations with those in four natural habitats: mangrove, coastal scrub, coastal palm, and dry limestone forests. Demographic measures of habitat quality included density, age and sex ratio, apparent survival, and changes in body mass. Measures of habitat quality for redstarts in citrus and coffee habitats were generally intermediate between the highest (mangrove) and lowest (dry limestone) measurements from natural habitats. The decline in mean body mass over the winter period was a strong predictor of annual survival rate among habitats, and we suggest that measures of body condition coupled with survival data provide the best measures of habitat quality for nonbreeding songbirds. Density, which is far easier to estimate, was correlated with these more labor-intensive measures, particularly in the late winter when food is likely most limiting. Thus, local density may be useful as an approximation of habitat quality for wintering migrant warblers. Our findings bolster those of previous studies based on bird abundance that suggest arboreal agricultural habitats in the tropics can be useful for the conservation of generalist, insectivorous birds, including many migratory passerines such as redstarts.     

Effects of an Invasive Plant on Population Dynamics in Toads

When populations decline in response to unfavorable environmental change, the dynamics of their population growth shift. In populations that normally exhibit high levels of variation in recruitment and abundance, as do many amphibians, declines may be difficult to identify from natural fluctuations in abundance. However, the onset of declines may be evident from changes in population growth rate in sufficiently long time series of population data. With data from 23 years of study of a population of Fowler's toad (Anaxyrus [ = Bufo] fowleri) at Long Point, Ontario (1989–2011), we sought to identify such a shift in dynamics. We tested for trends in abundance to detect a change point in population dynamics and then tested among competing population models to identify associated intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The most informative models of population growth included terms for toad abundance and the extent of an invasive marsh plant, the common reed (Phragmites australis), throughout the toads’ marshland breeding areas. Our results showed density‐dependent growth in the toad population from 1989 through 2002. After 2002, however, we found progressive population decline in the toads associated with the spread of common reeds and consequent loss of toad breeding habitat. This resulted in reduced recruitment and population growth despite the lack of significant loss of adult habitat. Our results underscore the value of using long‐term time series to identify shifts in population dynamics coincident with the advent of population decline. Efectos de una Planta Invasora sobre las Dinámica Poblacional de Sapos     

Influence of habitat on abundance and size structure of a large temperate-reef fish, Achoerodus viridis (Pisces: Labridae)

The relationship between densities of Achoerodus viridis (Pisces: Labridae) and reef habitats at various localities within New South Wales (NSW), Australia was examined. Types of habitats were quantified at inner, mid and outer estuarine locations in each of two estuaries (Botany Bay and Port Jackson) to determine whether purported patterns of movement from estuaries could be related to differences in habitat. Although the same types of habitat were generally found at all locations, differences in the proportion of habitat types were found between shallow and deep reefs and among inner, mid and outer estuarine locations for both estuaries. Shallow habitats were usually dominated by Ecklonia radiata, turf and/or fringe habitat in Botany Bay, whereas deep sites were generally dominated by urchin-grazed barrens habitat and, sometimes, sponge- and ascidian-dominated deep reef. Shallow sites in Port Jackson were dominated by a mixture of habitats, as were deep reefs at mid-estuarine locations. Other deep reefs in Port Jackson were dominated by E. radiata (inner estuarine) or barrens (outer estuarine) habitat. Thus, patterns of habitat cover were not consistent between estuaries and numbers of fish could not be related to proportional representation of habitat on reefs along estuarine gradients. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that there was little evidence that any size class of fish was correlated with the proportional representation of a particular habitat or group of habitats. Counts of fish that focused on barrens and E. radiata forest habitats over a period of 10 yr showed that similar numbers and all sizes of fish were found in the two types of habitat. Greater numbers of small fish were, however, found in the E. radiata forest habitat than in the barrens habitat. Estimates of abundance along the coast of NSW (100s to 1000 km) in a range of habitats (e.g. ascidian-dominated reef, kelp forest, urchin-grazed barrens) showed that there was no indication that a particular habitat consistently had greater numbers of A. viridis than other habitats. Therefore, A. viridis of a range of sizes appears to be flexible in its use of habitats on reefs. Received: 24 December 1997 / Accepted: 23 June 1998