Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Fernando Mayer Pelicice, Angelo Antonio Agostinho, Carlos Bernardo Mascarenhas Alves, Marlene Sofia Arcifa, Valter M. Azevedo-Santos, Marcelo Fulgencio Guedes Brito, Pamella Silva de Brito, Paula Maria Genova de Castro Campanha, Fernando Rogerio Carvalho, Gabriel Costa da Costa, Mario Alberto Cozzuol, Almir Manoel Cunico, Fernando Cesar Paiva Dagosta, Rosa Maria Dias, Rodrigo Fernandes, Ana Clara Sampaio Franco, Diego Azevedo Zoccal Garcia, Tommaso Giarrizzo, Eder Andre Gubiani, Erick Cristofore Guimaraes, Lawrence Ikeda, Axel Makay Katz, Andre Lincoln Barroso Magalhaes, Luciano Fogaca de Assis Montag, Marluce Aparecida Mattos de Paula Nogueira, Mario Luis Orsi, Felipe Polivanov Ottoni, Carla Simone Pavanelli, Thalles Gomes Peixoto, Ana Cristina Petry, Paulo Santos Pompeu, Telton Pedro Anselmo Ramos, Luis Reginaldo Ribeiro Rodrigues, Jose Sabino, Wagner Martins Santana Sampaio, Vagner Leonardo Macedo dos Santos, Welber Senteio Smith, Guilherme Souza, Livia Helena Tonella, Jean Ricardo Simoes Vitule
Summary: The introduction of non-native species and resulting biological invasions are prominent features of the Anthropocene Epoch. Some initiatives have emphasized the value and protection of invasive populations, but in the context of megadiverse tropical countries, the protection of highly invasive fishes, such as the peacock basses in Brazil, has raised concerns. Legal instruments have been proposed to restrict fishing and other activities to favor the recruitment, growth, colonization, and spread of these invasive species, but they pose significant risks of environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and social conflicts.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pierre Courtois, Cesar Martinez, Alban Thomas
Summary: In this study, a cost-benefit optimization framework for the management of invasive alien species (IASs) is proposed. The framework takes into account the spatially explicit costs and benefits of invasion control and incorporates the spatial invasion dynamics. The study applies the framework to the control of primrose willow invasion in a protected area in France and provides recommendations for targeted control on heavily invaded areas that are highly valued by users.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Katalin Lukacs, Orsolya Valko
Summary: The growing global population size and increasing mobility of people can potentially make humans a highly effective dispersal vector for plant propagules, especially in protected areas. Current invasive alien species (IAS) control measures generally do not adequately address the threats posed by human-vectored dispersal (HVD) on clothing.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Marine
Murat Bilecenoglu, Melih Ertan Cinar
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive assessment of alien species occurrences in 11 Marine Protected Areas on the Aegean and Levantine coasts of Turkey, revealing differences in alien species composition between regions. The majority of alien species originate from the Red Sea, with the Suez Canal identified as a primary introduction pathway. Additionally, the study highlights the lack of effective protection against bioinvasions in the MPAs along the Turkish coastline.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
D. Rodriguez-Rodriguez, R. Larrubia, J. D. Sinoga
Summary: The study used a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) research design to compare the effects of protected rural municipalities (cases; N = 52) versus unprotected rural municipalities (controls; N = 55) in Spain. The results showed that depopulation was generally worse in protected areas compared to unprotected areas, with some exceptions that require further exploration. Municipalities in Sites of Community Importance (SCIs) performed better in terms of rural depopulation, while those in Biosphere Reserves and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) showed mostly worse figures.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Aitor Ameztegui, Alejandra Moran-Ordonez, Alba Marquez, Angela Blazquez-Casado, Magda Pla, Dani Villero, Maria Begona Garcia, Maria Paz Errea, Lluis Coll
Summary: Mountain regions in Western Europe have undergone massive rural-urban migration and the collapse of traditional socioeconomic systems, leading to forests replacing old pastures and croplands. Analysis of forest cover changes in three mountain National Parks in Spain over six decades shows relatively small changes in total forest area but significant increases in dense forest.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre, Diana Carolina Dioses-Salinas, Carlos Ivan Pizarro-Ortega, Ana D. Forero Lopez, Melisa D. Fernandez Severini, Guido Noe Rimondino, Fabio Ernesto Malanca, Sina Dobaradaran, Tadele Assefa Aragaw, Bilal Mghili, Felix Ayala
Summary: This study investigated the abundance, distribution, and chemical characteristics of microplastics, mesoplastics, and paint particles in marine protected areas in Peru. The particles showed similar characteristics across different environmental compartments, with blue fibers being the dominant type. Some particles were composite materials consisting of alkyd resins, which are indicators of marine coatings. The study shed light on the contamination of anthropogenic debris in marine protected areas and provided insights into the properties of paint particles in marine environments.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zachary Gold, Joshua Sprague, David J. Kushner, Erick Zerecero Marin, Paul H. Barber
Summary: This study compared fish communities inside and outside a marine protected area using eDNA metabarcoding and underwater visual census surveys. The results demonstrated the sensitivity and feasibility of eDNA for monitoring marine ecosystems, highlighting its potential as a complementary tool to visual methods.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Haichuan Le, Changming Zhao, Wenting Xu, Ying Deng, Zongqiang Xie
Summary: Biological invasion poses a significant threat to biodiversity and conservation efforts in protected areas. Our study found that the richness and coverage of exotic plant species in protected areas were lower compared to non-protected areas, with protection status and proximity to human settlements being the most influential factors. Strengthening control and management strategies for exotic species entry is crucial for the protection and sustainable development of the Greater Shennongjia Area and other protected areas.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lucian Himes, Florybeth Flores La Valle
Summary: This study used flight initiation distance (FID) to evaluate the health of fish populations within and outside of marine protected areas (MPAs) in Southern California. The results showed that fish sampled in MPAs had lower FID values, indicating bolder behavioral traits. This suggests that MPAs in Southern California are promoting healthier fish communities.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Florian H. Schneider, Pol Campos-Mercade, Stephan Meier, Devin Pope, Erik Wengstrom, Armando N. Meier
Summary: A large-scale study conducted in Sweden finds that offering financial incentives for COVID-19 vaccination does not have any negative consequences on future vaccination uptake, morals, trust, and perceived safety.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ji-Zhong Wan, Chun-Jing Wang, Niklaus E. Zimmermann, Robin Pouteau, Fei-Hai Yu
Summary: The study found that global climate change has little impact on the global invasion pattern in protected areas (PAs), but clonal plant species showed a significantly increased invasion risk in high elevation and high latitude biomes, while the risk decreased in lower-elevation tropical and subtropical biomes. The research emphasizes the overlap of invasion hot spots with biodiversity hot spots and two realms, highlighting the need for stronger connections between invasion and conservation sciences.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vanessa Lozano, Mirko Di Febbraro, Giuseppe Brundu, Maria Laura Carranza, Alessandro Alessandrini, Nicola Maria Giuseppe Ardenghi, Elena Barni, Gianni Bedini, Laura Celesti-Grapow, Kevin Cianfaglione, Annalena Cogoni, Gianniantonio Domina, Simonetta Fascetti, Giulio Ferretti, Bruno Foggi, Mauro Iberite, Lorenzo Lastrucci, Lorenzo Lazzaro, Andrea Mainetti, Francesca Marinangeli, Chiara Montagnani, Carmelo Maria Musarella, Simone Orsenigo, Simonetta Peccenini, Lorenzo Peruzzi, Laura Poggio, Chiara Proietti, Filippo Prosser, Aldo Ranfa, Leonardo Rosati, Annalisa Santangelo, Alberto Selvaggi, Giovanni Spampinato, Adriano Stinca, Gabriella Vacca, Mariacristina Villani, Consolata Siniscalco
Summary: This study used a methodological framework to assess and analyze the invasion risk of 14 invasive alien plants of Union concern in Italy. The framework combined invasive Species Distribution Models based on propagule pressure, abiotic and biotic factors, and the local interpretable model-agnostic explanation analysis. The study found that the distribution of invasive alien plants in Italy is influenced by biogeographic regions, protected areas, abiotic factors, propagule pressure, and biotic filters.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Daniele Paganelli, Luis Reino, Cesar Capinha, Joana Ribeiro
Summary: Through surveying experts' opinions, researchers found that an increase in entrance of invasive alien species (IAS) is expected in protected areas located in Corsica, Portugal, and Spain. These areas typically have low to average anthropogenic disturbance, high biodiversity richness with endemic/threatened/protected species, current presence of IAS, and anthropogenic activities in surrounding regions.
JOURNAL FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jake Wall, George Wittemyer, Brian Klinkenberg, Valerie LeMay, Stephen Blake, Samantha Strindberg, Michelle Henley, Fritz Vollrath, Fiona Maisels, Jelle Ferwerda, Iain Douglas-Hamilton
Summary: The study reveals that the home ranges of African elephants are significantly influenced by human activities and the use of protected areas, with long-term annual ranges being overwhelmingly impacted by human influence and protected area utilization. Environmental factors, particularly water availability and vegetation productivity, only play a significant role in explaining space use over shorter periods. The current distribution of African elephants covers only 17% of the potential habitat range, with 57.4% falling outside protected areas, highlighting the need for effective and expanded protected areas to ensure the future of elephants.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
F. J. Jacobs, T. F. Naesje, E. M. Ulvan, C. J. Hay, F. H. Khaebeb, O. L. F. Weyl
Summary: The fishery for African tigerfish in northern Namibia plays an important role in food security and the local economy, but declining catch rates and smaller fish have been observed. Research shows that the catch per unit effort and proportion of mature fish are higher inside a freshwater protected area compared to outside. Both inside and outside the protected area, the African tigerfish populations face overfishing, and management actions are needed to safeguard this important fishery resource for subsistence and recreational fishers.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF AQUATIC SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
M. Zvavahera, S. Hugo, N. G. Vine, O. L. F. Weyl
Summary: South Africa lacks research on the nutritional value of inland small fish species to poor rural communities. This study provides the first nutrient composition analysis for estuarine roundherring, and found that it has comparable protein, fat, calcium, iron, and zinc levels to other small fish species consumed in other countries, but very low levels of vitamin A. Nonetheless, it is still an excellent source of these nutrients from other nutritional perspectives.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF AQUATIC SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gina Walsh, Allison Pease, Darragh Woodford, Melanie Stiassny, Jerome Gaugris, Josie South
Summary: This study characterizes the functional diversity of fish assemblages in the Republic of Congo and investigates the relationships between community composition and environmental factors. It reveals different species assemblages and functional strategies between different regions along a river gradient. These findings are important for understanding the responses, vulnerabilities, and conservation needs in Afrotropical systems.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
L. Mofu, T. Dalu, R. J. Wasserman, D. J. Woodford, O. L. F. Weyl
Summary: The age and growth of Oreochromis mossambicus from the Sundays River Valley irrigation pond in South Africa were determined. Mark recapture of chemically-tagged fish confirmed the periodicity of growth zone creation. It was found that O. mossambicus in this warm temperate pond had relatively long life spans compared to other populations.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF AQUATIC SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
H. A. Hlungwani, S. M. Marr, O. L. F. Weyl, J. R. Sara
Summary: Inland fisheries play a role in ensuring food security for rural communities near large aquatic systems. This study focused on determining the biological information of Labeo rosae and Oreochromis mossambicus in Flag Boshielo Dam, Limpopo province. The results indicate positive allometric growth for L. rosae and negative growth for O. mossambicus. Both species showed signs of exploitation, with L. rosae having a total mortality rate of 0.57 yr(-1) and O. mossambicus with a total mortality rate of 0.78 yr(-1). The collected biological data can be used for fisheries assessment in Flag Boshielo Dam.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF AQUATIC SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Ryan J. Wasserman, Tatenda Dalu
Summary: Large herbivores, such as elephants and hippopotamus, have the potential to significantly alter the limnological properties and functional role of aquatic habitats in arid and semi-arid African landscapes, despite being underexplored. This study discusses hypothetical means and known ways by which these mega-herbivores can alter shallow freshwater bodies, providing an overview of their potential influence on primary and secondary productivity.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Ryan J. Wasserman, Farai Dondofema, Chad Keates, Ross N. Cuthbert, Tatenda Dalu
Article
Fisheries
Lubabalo Mofu, Tatenda Dalu, Ryan J. Wasserman, Darragh J. Woodford, Olaf L. F. Weyl
Summary: The study examined the diets of two native fish species, Glossogobius callidus and Gilchristella aestuaria, in the presence of two non-native fish species, Oreochromis mossambicus and Gambusia affinis, in irrigation ponds in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Through gut content and stable isotope analysis, the proportions of dietary items consumed and assimilated by the four fish species were determined. The results showed that resource competition is a major factor shaping the composition of the fish species in the ponds.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Arsalan Emami-Khoyi, Candice M. Jooste, Ryan J. Wasserman, Tatenda Dalu, Morgan J. J. Raath-Kruger, Bettine Jansen van Vuuren, Peter R. Teske
Summary: This study investigated the spatial genetic structure and dispersal history of a calanoid copepod species in temporary wetlands in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The wetland populations were highly structured across the landscape and potentially represent cryptic speciation. The dispersal history of these populations was affected by a postulated barrier, which eventually disappeared, allowing the species to spread into coastal regions.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Chipo P. Mungenge, Ryan J. Wasserman, Ross N. Cuthbert, Farai Dondofema, Tatenda Dalu
Summary: The acceleration of freshwater salinisation caused by human activities and climate change poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems. This study evaluated the effects of salinisation on crustacean communities in temporary wetlands in South Africa. Results showed that high salinities significantly reduced the richness and abundance of emergent hatchlings, with Spinicaudata and Ostracoda being the most sensitive taxa. This salinisation can lead to reduced recruitment, changes in predation pressures, food web structure, and functioning of these ecosystems, with implications for associated ecosystem services.
Article
Fisheries
Dumisani Khosa, Josie South, Ncumisa Y. Matam, Lubabalo Mofu, Ryan J. Wasserman, Olaf L. F. Weyl
Summary: In this study, the distribution of freshwater fishes in the Kowie River catchment was evaluated using historic fish distribution records and field survey data. Different methods were employed to collect fishes, including seine nets, fyke nets, and gill nets. The results showed a decrease in the number of native species and the presence of two new non-native species, which may have implications for the conservation and management of freshwater diversity in the catchment.
KNOWLEDGE AND MANAGEMENT OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
(2023)