Aquatic Conservation-marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 

About: Aquatic Conservation-marine and Freshwater Ecosystems is an academic journal published by Wiley-Blackwell. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Population & Habitat. It has an ISSN identifier of 1052-7613. Over the lifetime, 2701 publications have been published receiving 73462 citations. The journal is also known as: Marine and freshwater ecosystems.

Environmental effects of marine fishing

Abstract: 1Some effects of fisheries on the associated biological systems are reviewed and management options and their inherent risks are considered. 2In addition to the effects on target species, other sensitive groups impacted by fishing are considered including marine mammals, turtles, sea birds, elasmobranchs and some invertebrates with low reproductive rates. 3Other impacts discussed include the destruction of benthic habitat, the provision of unnatural sources of food and the generation of debris. 4Management options are considered including the designation of marine protected areas, risk aversion, and the burden of proof. 5A balanced consideration of the risks and consequences of ‚Type 1’ and ‚Type II’ errors is advocated.

You can swim but you can't hide: the global status and conservation of oceanic pelagic sharks and rays

Abstract: 1.Fishing spans all oceans and the impact on ocean predators such as sharks and rays is largely unknown. A lack of data and complicated jurisdictional issues present particular challenges for assessing and conserving high seas biodiversity. It is clear, however, that pelagic sharks and rays of the open ocean are subject to high and often unrestricted levels of mortality from bycatch and targeted fisheries for their meat and valuable fins. 2.These species exhibit a wide range of life-history characteristics, but many have relatively low productivity and consequently relatively high intrinsic vulnerability to over-exploitation. The IUCN — World Conservation Union Red List criteria were used to assess the global status of 21 oceanic pelagic shark and ray species. 3.Three-quarters (16) of these species are classified as Threatened or Near Threatened. Eleven species are globally threatened with higher risk of extinction: the giant devilray is Endangered, ten sharks are Vulnerable and a further five species are Near Threatened. Threat status depends on the interaction between the demographic resilience of the species and intensity of fisheries exploitation. 4.4. Most threatened species, like the shortfin mako shark, have low population increase rates and suffer high fishing mortality throughout their range. Species with a lower risk of extinction have either fast, resilient life histories (e.g. pelagic stingray) or are species with slow, less resilient life histories but subject to fisheries management (e.g. salmon shark). 5.5. Recommendations, including implementing and enforcing finning bans and catch limits, are made to guide effective conservation and management of these sharks and rays. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Dangerous targets? Unresolved issues and ideological clashes around marine protected areas

Abstract: While conservationists, resource managers, scientists and coastal planners have recognized the broad applicability of marine protected areas (MPAs), they are often implemented without a firm understanding of the conservation science } both ecological and socio-economic } underlying marine protection. The rush to implement MPAs has set the stage for paradoxical differences of opinions in the marine conservation community. 2. The enthusiastic prescription of simplistic solutions to marine conservation problems risks polarization of interests and ultimately threatens bona fide progress in marine conservation. The blanket assignment and advocacy of empirically unsubstantiated rules of thumb in marine protection creates potentially dangerous targets for conservation science. 3. Clarity of definition, systematic testing of assumptions, and adaptive application of diverse MPA management approaches are needed so that the appropriate mix of various management tools can be utilized, depending upon specific goals and conditions. Scientists have a professional and

The effects of introduced tilapias on native biodiversity

Abstract: The common name 'tilapia' refers to a group of tropical freshwater .sh in the family Cichlidae (Oreochromis, Tilapia, and Sarotherodon spp.) that are indigenous to Africa and the southwestern Middle East. Since the 1930s, tilapias have been intentionally dispersed worldwide for the biological control of aquatic weeds and insects, as bait.sh for certain capture .sheries, for aquaria, and as a food .sh. They have most recently been promoted as an important source of protein that could provide food security for developing countries without the environmental problems associated with terrestrial agriculture. In addition, market demand for tilapia in developed countries such as the United States is growing rapidly. 2. Tilapias are well-suited to aquaculture because they are highly proli.c and tolerant to a range of environmental conditions. They have come to be known as the 'aquatic chicken' because of their potential as an a.ordable, high-yield source of protein that can be easily raised in a range of environments } from subsistence or 'backyard' units to intensive .sh hatcheries. In some countries, particularly in Asia, nearly all of the introduced tilapias produced are consumed domestically; tilapias have contributed to basic food security for such societies. 3. This review indicates that tilapia species are highly invasive and exist under feral conditions in every nation in which they have been cultured or introduced. Thus, the authors have concluded that, despite potential or observed bene.ts to human society, tilapia aquaculture and open-water introductions cannot continue unchecked without further exacerbating damage to native .sh species and biodiversity. Recommendations include restricting tilapia culture to carefully managed, contained ponds, although exclusion is preferred when it is feasible. Research into culture of indigenous species is also recommended.

Ponds and pools as model systems in conservation biology, ecology and evolutionary biology

Abstract: 1. Ponds and pools, broadly defined in this paper to include all small and shallow standing waters that permanently or temporarily contain water, are numerous, diverse and important from a conservation point of view. We here argue that ponds and pools offer powerful potential for studies in ecology, evolutionary biology and conservation biology. 2. An outline is given of the characteristics of pools and ponds that make them good model systems for large-scale surveys and hypothesis testing through experimental manipulation. Such studies will not only increase understanding of community and genetic structure, as well as of patterns of biodiversity, in small aquatic habitats themselves, but may also contribute significantly to testing general theory. 3. These merits are illustrated by the recent progress on the understanding of the relative importance of local versus regional factors in structuring populations and communities, as well as of the impact of hydroperiod on community and ecosystem functioning.