Are small fishes more sensitive to habitat loss? A generic size-based model

Habitat loss represents the greatest threat to freshwater biodiversity. The potential for life history attributes to correlate with the risks associated with habitat loss represents a possible mechanism for more effective and rapid assessments, especially in data-limited situations. Body size correlates with many other life history attributes and is a good starting point for investigating correlates with habitat loss. Here, we use a generic stage-based matrix population model, parameterized using length-based allometries, to investigate if such a mechanism exists. Our analysis revealed that small species (shorter maximum body length) were initially more sensitive to the loss of habitat. Moreover, distinct stage-based patterns exist showing an increased sensitivity of population growth rate for small species to both habitat loss and vital rate perturbations of pre-adult stages. This indicates that the pre-adult period represents a critical stage for the continued production of small species and increased importance of the conservation of habitat used by young-of-the-year and juvenile fishes.