Aerial images can detect 3D small patch reefs that are potential habitats for anemonefish Amphiprion frenatus

Patchy habitats often enhance species coexistence and, consequently, abundance of each species. The present study examined two indicators of potential habitats for anemonefish Amphiprion frenatus: total area of dark-colored patch reefs that are detectable on an aerial image with image analysis software, and total area of tall patch reefs (>1.5 m in height) that are detectable on stereoscopic aerial images with a stereoscope. Relationships between patch reef area and anemonefish abundance, as estimated by number of host anemone Entacmaea quadricolor, were investigated at Shiraho Reef, Ishigaki Island, Japan. Total number of anemones was not correlated with total area of tall patch reefs but was highly correlated with total area of dark-colored patch reefs. Underwater observations confirmed that upper surface of tall patch reefs often involved bare substratum, whereas dark-colored patch reefs did not include this substratum. Because reef area approximately reflected reef volume within shallow back reefs, total area of dark-colored patch reefs that are detectable by aerial photography will reflect total volume of reef fish habitat. The present study suggests that aerial photography with a drone can provide a useful predictor of reef fish abundance.