Researchers examined larval dispersal patterns of the coral grouper, Plectropomus maculatus, from marine reserves in the Great Barrier Reef and found that the performance of single reserves varied through time; however, having a reserve network generated a reliable source of larval offspring to replenish exploited fish stocks while minimizing risk to ocean ecosystems, according to the authors.
Article #19-20580: "A connectivity portfolio effect stabilizes marine reserve performance," by Hugo B. Harrison, Michael Bode, David H. Williamson, Michael L. Berumen, and Geoffrey P. Jones.
MEDIA CONTACT: Hugo B. Harrison, James Cook University, Townsville, AUSTRALIA; tel: +61-499-523-939 e-mail: hugo.harrison@jcu.edu.au
###
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences