The vulnerability of reef fishes to environmental exposure in Komodo National Park and its surrounding waters

Reef fish populations in Komodo National Park (KNP) exhibit significant vulnerability to environmental changes, particularly for high-value species such as Plectropomus leopardus, Variola louti, and Epinephelus fuscogutattus. These species demonstrate high sensitivity to environmental variability, indicating strong dependence on stable coral reef ecosystems. In contrast, Lutjanus malabaricus and Lutjanus gibbus show moderate vulnerability, suggesting a less pronounced but still notable impact from environmental factors. The study employed the method for assessing marine fish and shellfish vulnerability, integrating sensitivity attributes with exposure factors based on available time series data. Findings highlight the need for robust management strategies to protect KNP's marine ecosystems from anthropogenic pressures and adapt to changing environmental conditions, emphasizing the importance of identifying critical spawning aggregation areas for conservation efforts.

Oktaviani, D., Sulaiman, P. S., & Puspasari, R. (2021). The vulnerability of reef fishes to environmental exposure in Komodo National Park and its surrounding waters. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 805(1), 12014. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/805/1/012014