LiDAR (light detection and ranging) allows for the quantification of three‐dimensional seascape structure, which is an important driver of coral reef communities. We hypothesized that three‐dimensional LiDAR‐derived covariables support more robust models of coral reef fish assemblages, compared to models using 2D environmental co variables. Predictive models of coral reef fish density, diversity, and biomass were developed using linear mixed effect models. We found that models containing combined 2D and 3D covariables outperformed models with only 3D covariables, followed by models containing only 2D covariables. Areas with greater three‐dimensional structure provide fish more refuge from predation and are crucial to identifying priority management locations that can potentially enhance reef resilience and recovery. Two‐dimensional seascape metrics alone do not adequately capture the elements of the seascape that drive reef fish assemblage characteristics, and the application of LiDAR data in this work serves to advance seascape ecology theory and practice in the third dimension.

中文翻译：

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三维珊瑚礁结构的遥感增强了鱼群的预测模型

LiDAR（光检测和测距）可以量化三维海景结构，这是珊瑚礁群落的重要驱动力。我们假设，与使用2D环境协变量的模型相比，三维LiDAR衍生的协变量支持更强大的珊瑚礁鱼组合模型。使用线性混合效应模型建立了珊瑚鱼密度，多样性和生物量的预测模型。我们发现，包含组合的2D和3D协变量的模型优于仅包含3D协变量的模型，其次是仅包含2D协变量的模型。具有三维结构的区域为鱼类提供了更多的避难所，对于确定优先管理位置至关重要，这些位置可以潜在地增强礁石的适应能力和恢复能力。