Understanding fish movements and connectivity across temperate seascapes: Implications for marine conservation

Developing an ecological understanding on the linkages between patch types in coastal seascapes is a key goal in seascape ecology. Many reef-associated fish worldwide have complex life-histories, using vegetated nursery habitats as juveniles before undergoing ontogenetic habitat shifts to reefs. Currently, there is limited quantitative information on the spatiotemporal scales that fish connect patch types through ontogeny, particularly in temperate seascapes. Better quantifying this connectivity is essential to improving our understanding on the processes structuring fish populations, identifying critical habitats, and designing management strategies. In this thesis, I investigate the movement of reef-associated fish at both juvenile and adult life-stages to better quantify seascape connectivity and its importance for marine management and conservation.