Effects of Hurricane Dean and tropical storm Karl on the coral reef fish assemblage of Banco Chinchorro: temporal changes in rarity, and alpha and beta taxonomic diversity

The Banco Chinchorro Reef is an area with a high ecological value impacted by Hurricane Dean in 2007 and tropical storm Karl in 2010. Because these types of meteorological events have recently occurred with a higher frequency and intensity, this work evaluated the change in taxonomic alpha and beta diversity of reef fish due to these natural impacts. We used records of fish and benthic elements obtained before and after the impact of these meteors (2007–2011) to analyze the following: i) species richness, rarity, and composition; ii) beta diversity; iii) taxonomic distinctness; and iv) relationship between species composition and benthic habitat. The results showed that Hurricane Dean and tropical storm Karl temporarily changed fish diversity. This effect was gradual and showed greater variation in 2009 and 2010. In the same years, we found an increase in species richness and rarity that diminished in 2011. There was also an important variation in fish species composition, beta diversity, and taxonomic distinctness. The variation in fish composition was mainly correlated with benthic elements like fleshy macroalgae, foliose coral, and rocky substrate. In general, we observed that the fish assemblage of Banco Chinchorro is trending toward a condition similar to that found before the passage of Hurricane Dean and Storm Karl; this evidence indicates that this biological group is resilient and persistent despite strong natural impacts. Our results suggest that proper management before and after natural impacts could warrant recolonization of reef fish species because they depend on the ecosystem's condition