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Assessing How Suspended Sediment from Coastal Construction Alters Reef Fish Behaviour on the Taoyuan Algal Reef (Taiwan).

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Title: Assessing How Suspended Sediment from Coastal Construction Alters Reef Fish Behaviour on the Taoyuan Algal Reef (Taiwan).
Authors: Price, Nathan W.1,2,3,4 (AUTHOR), Lai, Chiao-Fang1 (AUTHOR), Wu, Cheng-Wei1 (AUTHOR), Lin, Tzu-Hao4 (AUTHOR), Wen, Colin Kuo-Chang1,5 (AUTHOR) ckcwen@thu.edu.tw
Source: Journal of Coastal Research. 2026, Vol. 42 Issue 3, p448-461. 14p.
Subjects: Suspended sediments, Foraging behavior, Noise pollution, Reefs, Reef fishes, Fish populations, Coastal engineering, Species diversity
Geographic Terms: Taiwan
Abstract: Price, N.W.; Lai, C.-F.; Wu, C.W.; Lin, T.-H., and Wen, C.K.-C., 2026. Assessing how suspended sediment from coastal construction alters reef fish behaviour on the Taoyuan Algal Reef (Taiwan). Journal of Coastal Research, 42(3), 448–461. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. Coastal construction often elevates suspended sediment and noise levels, which can be detrimental for fish communities; however, the specific repercussions on coastal reef fish species inhabiting the intertidal tidepools within the Taoyuan Algal Reef, Taiwan, remain poorly understood. This study addresses this gap by assessing the effects of construction on fish communities and their subsequent behaviour. Fish abundance, species richness, and biomass were examined alongside suspended sediment and noise levels in tidepools during active construction at the affected site and at a nearby site. Behavioural experiments were conducted with captive-bred orange spotted groupers (Epinephelus coioides) and wild-caught gobies (Bathygobius spp.) to assess foraging efficiency and antipredator behaviour across various suspended sediments (0–400 mg/L) and the effects of noise (50–90 dB re 1 µPa) treatments. Potential effects of noise on fish behaviour were investigated for groupers only. Results indicate significant increases in suspended sediment and noise levels postconstruction at the site. Species richness and biomass remained unchanged at the construction site, whereas fish abundance increased postconstruction. Elevated suspended sediment levels led to decreased foraging rates and increased escape distances in groupers, with minimal effects from increased noise. The effect on gobies was less clear. Given the significance of these behaviours for survival, alterations could profoundly affect reef fish health and population dynamics. These findings highlight the need for construction projects to implement sediment control measures and monitor noise impacts to minimise disruption to reef fish populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Price, N.W.; Lai, C.-F.; Wu, C.W.; Lin, T.-H., and Wen, C.K.-C., 2026. Assessing how suspended sediment from coastal construction alters reef fish behaviour on the Taoyuan Algal Reef (Taiwan). Journal of Coastal Research, 42(3), 448–461. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. Coastal construction often elevates suspended sediment and noise levels, which can be detrimental for fish communities; however, the specific repercussions on coastal reef fish species inhabiting the intertidal tidepools within the Taoyuan Algal Reef, Taiwan, remain poorly understood. This study addresses this gap by assessing the effects of construction on fish communities and their subsequent behaviour. Fish abundance, species richness, and biomass were examined alongside suspended sediment and noise levels in tidepools during active construction at the affected site and at a nearby site. Behavioural experiments were conducted with captive-bred orange spotted groupers (Epinephelus coioides) and wild-caught gobies (Bathygobius spp.) to assess foraging efficiency and antipredator behaviour across various suspended sediments (0–400 mg/L) and the effects of noise (50–90 dB re 1 µPa) treatments. Potential effects of noise on fish behaviour were investigated for groupers only. Results indicate significant increases in suspended sediment and noise levels postconstruction at the site. Species richness and biomass remained unchanged at the construction site, whereas fish abundance increased postconstruction. Elevated suspended sediment levels led to decreased foraging rates and increased escape distances in groupers, with minimal effects from increased noise. The effect on gobies was less clear. Given the significance of these behaviours for survival, alterations could profoundly affect reef fish health and population dynamics. These findings highlight the need for construction projects to implement sediment control measures and monitor noise impacts to minimise disruption to reef fish populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:07490208
DOI:10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-25-00011.1