10.5061/DRYAD.1P3S4
Collins, Danielle L.
University of Western Australia
Langlois, Tim J.
University of Western Australia
Bond, Todd
University of Western Australia
Holmes, Thomas H.
University of Western Australia
Department of Parks and Wildlife
Harvey, Euan S.
Curtin University
Fisher, Rebecca
Australian Institute of Marine Science
University of Western Australia
McLean, Dianne L.
University of Western Australia
Data from: A novel stereo-video method to investigate fish-habitat
relationships
Dryad
dataset
2016
habitat complexity
fish ecology
Fish-Habitat Relationships
Stereo-DOV
2016-09-01T20:37:06Z
2016-09-01T20:37:06Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210x.12650
3605296 bytes
1
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Habitat complexity is known to influence the structure of fish
assemblages. A number of techniques have previously been used to measure
complexity, including quantitative in situ methods, which can be
time-consuming and labour-intensive, and more rapid semi-quantitative
visual scoring methods. This study investigated the utility of a novel
method for estimating complexity, whereby habitat height was measured
using stereo-photogrammetry from diver-operated stereo-video,
traditionally used to sample fish assemblages. This ‘stereo-height’ method
was compared to established in situ and visual scoring techniques and
found to produce similar estimates of complexity. To determine how
relevant the proposed method is for assessing ecological relationships, it
was then used in conjunction with visual scoring of relief and
point-intercept samples of benthic composition to model fish–habitat
associations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Visual scores of
relief were marginally stronger predictors of fish assemblage parameters
and functional groups than the stereo-height measurements, providing
support for the visual scoring approach. The only exception was for
corallivorous fishes, which were more strongly correlated with
stereo-height measurements. This study has presented a method for
assessing habitat complexity using video imagery that is both comparable
to traditional in situ techniques and useful for investigating
fish–habitat relationships. We suggest that future studies interested in
collecting habitat complexity data from new or existing stereo-video
samples use both the stereo-height and visual scoring methods presented
here. Together these methods enable studies to rapidly and effectively
assess fish–habitat relationships across a range of habitats without the
need for in situ methods or solely relying on field observers trained in
visual scoring techniques.
DOV fish and habitat height data ALL 3D Points and LengthsText file output
from EventMeasure including all length and 3D point measurements for each
fish, visual score habitat classification. Transect were swum using a
stereo diver operated video in the Pilbara region of Western
Australia.Method comparison chain and tape and insitu dataRaw values for
chain and tape measurements and in situ height measurements recorded for
methods comparison.Methods comparison EM All length and 3D pointsText file
outputs from EvenMeasure of all lengths and 3D points of habitat height
for all transects used in analysis. Transect were swum using a stereo
diver operated video in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Western Australia
Pilbara