Leigh Howarth
To date, my research has largely focused on the effects of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) on benthic communities and species of commercial interest, such as scallops and lobsters. This has involved extensive fieldwork and scientific diving. However, my research has also documented the global transformation underway in the ocean at present - from complex ecosystems supporting a range of species, to more simplified ones becoming increasingly dominated by invertebrates. Most recently, I have begun exploring how the size spectra of benthic and pelagic communities responds to varying levels of fishing pressure and primary productivity.
Supervisors: Jan Geert Hiddink
Phone: 01904 434786
Address: University of York,
Environment Department,
York,
North Yorkshire,
YO10 5DD
Supervisors: Jan Geert Hiddink
Phone: 01904 434786
Address: University of York,
Environment Department,
York,
North Yorkshire,
YO10 5DD
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Papers by Leigh Howarth
or fishery components rather than investigating the ecosystem as a whole. This study therefore investigated the dynamics of both benthic communities and fish populations within a recently established, fully protected marine reserve in Lamlash Bay, Isle of Arran, United Kingdom, over a four year period. A
combination of photo and diver surveys revealed live maerl (Phymatolithon calcareum), macroalgae, sponges, hydroids, feather stars and eyelash worms (Myxicola infundibulum) to be significantly more abundant within the marine reserve than on surrounding fishing grounds. Likewise, the overall composition of epifaunal communities in and outside the reserve was significantly different. Both results are consistent with the hypothesis that protecting areas from fishing can encourage seafloor habitats to recover. In addition, the greater abundance of complex habitats within the reserve appeared to providing
nursery habitat for juvenile cod (Gadus morhua) and scallops (Pecten maximus and Aequipecten opercularis). In contrast, there was little difference in the abundance of mobile benthic fauna, such as crabs and starfish, between the reserve and outside. Similarly, the use of baited underwater video cameras
revealed no difference in the abundance and size of fish between the reserve and outside. Limited recovery of these ecosystem components may be due to the relatively small size (2.67 km2) and young age of the reserve (<5 years), both of which might have limited the extent of any benefits afforded to mobile fauna and fish communities. Overall, this study provides evidence that fully protected marine reserves can encourage seafloor habitats to recover, which in turn, can create a number of benefits that flow back to other species, including those of commercial importance.