The “area–heterogeneity tradeoff” hypothesis predicts unimodal effects of habitat heterogeneity on species richness, implying that habitats with intermediate heterogeneity may be priority for spatial protection. Alternatively, if heterogeneity effects are positive, then protecting the most heterogeneous habitats may take precedence. We tested for unimodal effects of habitat heterogeneity on the species density (area‐corrected richness) of rockfishes (Sebastes spp.): long‐lived, benthic fishes vulnerable to overexploitation. Inconsistent with predictions, topographic structural complexity had a strong linear effect on species density; other heterogeneity measures had weaker, positive effects and the only unimodal effect (depth range) was weak. The clear implication is that, to protect the highest density of rockfish species, marine protected areas should include the most topographically complex substrates. Our results can also help refine and test species distribution models needed to inform spatial planning where in situ surveys are lacking. The area–heterogeneity tradeoff generates useful predictions for which support may be context‐dependent.

中文翻译：

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面积-异质性折衷应用于石鱼（Sebastes spp。）物种丰富度的空间保护

“区域－异质性折衷”假说预测了栖息地异质性对物种丰富性的单峰影响，这意味着具有中等异质性的栖息地可能是空间保护的优先考虑因素。另外，如果异质性效应为正，那么保护大多数异质性生境可能优先。我们测试了栖息地异质性对石鱼（Sebastes）的物种密度（经区域校正的丰富度）的单峰影响spp。）：易遭受过度开发的长寿底栖鱼类。与预测不一致的是，地形结构的复杂性对物种密度具有很强的线性影响。其他异质性措施的效果较弱，正面作用，而唯一的单峰效应（深度范围）较弱。明确的含义是，为了保护最高密度的石鱼物种，海洋保护区应包括地形最复杂的底物。我们的结果还可以帮助完善和测试物种分布模型，以为缺乏原位调查的空间规划提供依据。区域异质性权衡可产生有用的预测，对于这些预测，支持可能取决于上下文。