Article
Ecology
Thomas Mehner, Christine Argillier, Trygve Hesthagen, Kerstin Holmgren, Erik Jeppesen, Fiona Kelly, Teet Krause, Mikko Olin, Pietro Volta, Ian J. Winfield, Sandra Brucet
Summary: The study found that environmental factors and spatial structure are important factors influencing the composition of lake fish communities, while lake size and productivity play a significant role in the biomass and mean mass structure of fish communities. There are significant positive and negative correlations between fish species, and unmeasured abiotic predictors may explain some of these correlations.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Krystyna Kalinowska, Dariusz Ulikowski, Piotr Traczuk, Michal Kozlowski, Andrzej Kapusta
Summary: Global warming, eutrophication, fisheries overexploitation, species invasions, and habitat loss pose major threats to freshwater biodiversity. A study in 535 Polish lakes of varying morphometry and trophic status revealed 39 fish species, with eight being alien invasive. The number of fish species in the lakes ranged from 1 to 19, and it decreased with increasing eutrophication conditions but increased with larger lake areas and maximum depths.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Camille Crapart, Anders G. Finstad, Dag O. Hessen, Rolf D. Vogt, Tom Andersen
Summary: Browning of Fennoscandian boreal lakes is a growing concern due to its negative impacts on ecosystems and drinking water quality. The study identifies several governing factors for increased Total Organic Carbon (TOC) levels in lakes and catchments. Future simulations based on different socio-economic pathways and climatic variables show contrasting effects on TOC export to coastal waters.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Theodor Sperlea, Jan Philip Schenk, Hagen Dressler, Daniela Beisser, Georges Hattab, Jens Boenigk, Dominik Heider
Summary: Microbes play a vital role in element cycling and ecosystem functioning, yet there are still many unanswered questions about their role in ecology. This study analyzes the relationship between lake microbiomes and the land cover surrounding the lakes using machine learning methods. The results show that the microbial community of the lakes is significantly correlated with herbaceous and open spaces, but the correlation with land cover categories is generally lower than with physico-chemical parameters. The integration of land cover and physico-chemical bioindicators provides insights into the environmental drivers of the lake microbial community composition and allows for the study of the ecosystem's structure from the standpoint of the microbiome.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ahmed A. Abdelhady, Mohamed Samy-Kamal, Khalaf H. M. Abdel-Raheem, Mohamed S. Ahmed, Mahmoud M. Khalil
Summary: Through quantitative analysis of the landings composition data of the Nile-Delta lakes over the past 30 years, it was found that there has been a shift in target species towards demersal opportunistic species. There has been a significant decline in species richness and landings of rare species, while opportunistic fish species such as catfish and mullet have flourished in the polluted water.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rosemberg Fernandes Menezes, Jens-Christian Svenning, Hui Fu, Luc De Meester, Torben Linding Lauridsen, Martin Sondergaard, Jose Maria Conde-Porcuna, Erik Jeppesen
Summary: The beta diversity of lakes is influenced by natural factors, dispersal constraints, and human disturbances. Fish beta diversity tends to increase towards lower latitudes and is higher in less disturbed lakes at a local scale. However, environmental disturbances can impact these patterns due to community homogenization or heterogenization. Factors such as geographic distance and climate variability are the main drivers of fish community change across latitude, but the rate of change varies between lake types. Local factors like turbidity, lake size, and presence of exotic species also have varying effects on beta diversity across regions.
Article
Ecology
Sven Matern, Thomas Klefoth, Christian Wolter, Andreas Hussner, Janek Simon, Robert Arlinghaus
Summary: This study examines the impact of lake genesis and fisheries management on fish communities in small lakes, finding that fisheries management speeds up the colonization of native fish species in gravel pit lakes.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Twan Stoffers, Antonie D. Buijse, Johan A. J. Verreth, Leopold A. J. Nagelkerke
Summary: The large-scale degradation of riparian ecotones and connectivity between rivers and floodplains in European temperate lowland rivers has led to a decline in rheophilic fish populations. Recent river restoration projects have had varying degrees of success in restoring these populations. Understanding nursery habitat requirements is crucial for effective restoration, but the role of habitat heterogeneity in young-of-the-year fish population development is still limited.
FISH AND FISHERIES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erin A. Hull, Marco Barajas, Kenneth A. Burkart, Samantha R. Fung, Brian P. Jackson, Pamela M. Barrett, Rebecca B. Neumann, Julian D. Olden, James E. Gawel
Summary: The research found elevated arsenic concentrations in Puget Sound region lakes, with significant bioaccumulation in plankton. Factors such as seasonal mixing and near-bottom anoxia influence arsenic uptake. Monitoring and risk assessment of arsenic contamination should focus on shallow zones in lakes.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Barbara Angelio Quirino, Martin Sondergaard, Torben Linding Lauridsen, Liselotte Sander Johansson, Rosemara Fugi, Sidinei Magela Thomaz, Fernando Miranda Lansac-Toha, Erik Jeppesen
Summary: Fish community structure in shallow lakes is influenced by macrophyte cover, which provides important habitats and food sources. This study examined the relationships between fish and macrophytes at both lake and point scales in 88 Danish shallow lakes. The results showed negative relationships between macrophyte cover and fish abundance and biomass, with stronger effects at the point scale. Chlorophyll a, a measure of primary productivity, was positively related to fish abundance, except for certain fish species. The findings highlight the complex interactions between fish and macrophytes, which are influenced by lake characteristics.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Taise Miranda Lopes, Carolina Mendes Muniz, Marcelo Henrique Schmitz, Rosa Maria Dias, Amanda Cantarute Rodrigues, Matheus Gimenez Buzo, Edivando Vitor do Couto, Angelo Antonio Agostinho
Summary: In freshwater ecosystems, flood pulses, connectivity between environments, and vegetation mosaic are the main variables affecting environmental structure. Local limnological conditions are more important for structuring river fish assemblages. However, these limnological characteristics can have combined impacts on the environment. This study evaluates the main drivers of fish trophic guilds in lakes and determines the importance of limnological conditions, spatial distance, and riparian vegetation. Limnological variables and riparian vegetation influenced the distribution of trophic guilds, especially during low water periods.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
David M. Benoit, Cindy Chu, Henrique C. Giacomini, Donald A. Jackson
Summary: This study explores the patterns and drivers of spatial overlap among thermal guilds of freshwater fishes in temperate lakes. It identifies different patterns of spatial overlap and finds temperature and maximum lake depth to be strong drivers of these patterns.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Oarabile Mogobe, Nashaat M. Mazrui, Mangaliso J. Gondwe, Ketlhatlogile Mosepele, Wellington R. L. Masamba
Summary: Fish nutrient composition in Okavango Delta was investigated to assess their potential contribution to recommended nutrient intake. Small fish species showed higher mineral content, especially calcium, magnesium, and zinc, compared to larger species. These findings suggest that prioritizing small and selected large fish species can enhance food and nutrition security for local communities.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Kenneth Thoro Martinsen, Emil Kristensen, Lars Baastrup-Spohr, Martin Sondergaard, Henrik Carl, Erik Jeppesen, Kaj Sand-Jensen, Theis Kragh
Summary: Freshwater ecosystems have suffered from a significant decrease in biodiversity due to eutrophication and habitat loss. However, by re-establishing ecosystems or creating new lakes, nutrients removal, biodiversity, and recreation can be improved. Through the use of structural equation modeling, the impact of environmental variables and landscape features on fish species richness and composition in new and natural lakes in Denmark was investigated. Fish species richness is influenced by basin elevation, lake area, and salinity at the basin outlet.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Taiga Kunishima, Katsunori Tachihara
Summary: Research suggests that the ecological functions of soft-sediment tidepools for fish are influenced by topography and biological characteristics of species, with landward tidepools being suitable for resident species and seaward tidepools being important for transient species, resulting in an inverse trend in diversity between different topographic types.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
David Ritterbusch, Petr Blabolil, Jan Breine, Tibor Eros, Thomas Mehner, Mikko Olin, Graeme Peirson, Pietro Volta, Sandra Poikane
Summary: Triggered by the adoption of the Water Framework Directive, various fish-based systems were developed in Europe to assess the ecological status of lakes. A total of 24 systems were developed by 21 European countries, with the most common approach being the use of fish communities in comparably undisturbed natural lakes as reference conditions. Different countries used a variety of fish sampling methods and combined multiple metrics for index development.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Kate L. Laskowski, Marta Alirangues M. Nunez, Sabine Hilt, Mark O. Gessner, Thomas Mehner
Summary: Behavioral traits can influence species interactions and ecosystem functioning, but there is limited empirical evidence supporting this idea. In an outdoor pond experiment, it was found that the composition of behavioral types within predator groups affected predator growth rates, but had no direct effect on lower trophic levels.
AMERICAN NATURALIST
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Michal Tuser, Jean Guillard, Atle Rustadbakken, Thomas Mehner
Summary: This study systematically evaluated the correspondence between fish length data obtained from vertical hydroacoustics and gillnetting in seven European natural lakes. The results showed a good agreement in the continuous size distributions obtained by both methods and their correlation with lake depth and mean air temperature. This supports the application of vertical hydroacoustics in acquiring size structure of fish communities in lakes, although further research on specific methodological details is needed.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Thomas Mehner, Katrin Attermeyer, Mario Brauns, Soren Brothers, Sabine Hilt, Kristin Scharnweber, Renee Minavan Dorst, Michael J. Vanni, Ursula Gaedke
Summary: The paper discusses the key processes and structures of TTE estimation in lakes, focusing on production rates, trophic positions, ecological efficiencies, nutrients, and compounds affecting energy transfer between trophic levels. Two alternative approaches to estimating TTE are presented, with suggestions for more frequent and standardized estimates in lakes.
Article
Ecology
Renee M. van Dorst, Christine Argillier, Sandra Brucet, Kerstin Holmgren, Pietro Volta, Ian J. Winfield, Thomas Mehner
Summary: The body size of organisms is important in ecological interactions, and there is a relationship between fish body size distribution and trophic position. Predators are typically larger than their prey, leading to a positive linear relationship between fish species' maximum body mass and average trophic position in European lakes. However, predator-prey interactions have a limited impact on shaping community size distributions in these lakes.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Amien Isaac Amoutchi, Petra Kersten, Asja Vogt, Klaus Kohlmann, Essetchi Paul Kouamelan, Thomas Mehner
Summary: An essential factor for aquatic conservation is genetic diversity or population divergence. Our study on the African snakehead fish Parachanna obscura showed genetic differentiation and local adaptation in different populations, indicating the importance of avoiding genetic mixing for conservation and management actions.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
David Cunillera-Montcusi, Jordi Bou, Thomas Mehner, Sandra Brucet, Matias Arim, Ana I. I. Borthagaray
Summary: By using satellite images and three centrality metrics, we identified freshwater hotspots in Europe and found differences in the role of landscape configuration in biogeographic diversity patterns and conservation planning.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Ogechi Nnabuchi Ugbor, Michael Osasele Omoigberale, Amien Isaac Amoutchi, Kouadio Affian, Thomas Mehner
Summary: We investigated the influence of local environmental and spatial factors on fish community composition in the Lower Niger River Basin. Our results showed that the composition differed between upper and lower regions, with upper region influenced by high-nutrient concentrations and downstream sites characterized by high concentrations of suspended solids. Spatial factors had a higher contribution to fish community composition, particularly during the dry season.
ECOLOGY OF FRESHWATER FISH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Amien Isaac Amoutchi, Ogechi Nnabuchi Ugbor, Essetchi Paul Kouamelan, Thomas Mehner
Summary: We examined morphological variations among seven wild populations of snakehead fish in Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa. The variations were concentrated on landmarks related to swimming and feeding, suggesting the impact of environmental variation on morphological differentiation. However, there were no significant effects of climate and habitat variables on fish shape. A mechanistic understanding of the factors causing shape variation among the populations could not yet be achieved.
ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY OF FISHES
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
M. Cuenca-Cambronero, M. Blicharska, J. -a. Perrin, T. A. Davidson, B. Oertli, M. Lago, M. Beklioglu, M. Meerhoff, M. Arim, J. Teixeira, L. De Meester, J. Biggs, J. Robin, B. Martin, H. M. Greaves, C. D. Sayer, P. Lemmens, D. Boix, T. Mehner, M. Bartrons, S. Brucet
Summary: Ponds and pondscapes play a crucial role in providing multiple benefits to both biodiversity and humans. However, they are often overlooked as Nature-based Solutions and there is a lack of knowledge on how to manage and restore them to maximize their potential in climate change resilience. To address this, it is important to generate and integrate various knowledge domains. Therefore, evidence-based guidance is needed to support the broader use of ponds.
Article
Limnology
Thomas Mehner
Summary: Scientific research in limnology is closely connected to philosophical aspects of methodology, reasoning, ontology, and epistemology. However, the diversity of scientific approaches and philosophical directions in our discipline is rarely discussed because philosophy and history are not commonly included in limnology and ecology curricula. This lack of awareness of the philosophical basis of science may hinder researchers from fully grasping the world and addressing global challenges. Therefore, it is crucial to appreciate the contributions of all researchers and their underlying philosophies in order to foster successful scientific research that encompasses diverse perspectives.
Article
Ecology
Ana I. Borthagaray, David Cunillera-Montcusi, Jordi Bou, Irene Tornero, Dani Boix, Maria Anton-Pardo, Esteban Ortiz, Thomas Mehner, Xavier D. Quintana, Stephanie Gascon, Matias Arim
Summary: The spatial isolation and dispersal ability of species play crucial roles in determining the biodiversity of metacommunities. Using coalescent metacommunity models and null models, we found that the spatial arrangement of water bodies significantly affects biodiversity, especially in metacommunities with intermediate dispersal abilities. Peripheral communities have lower richness and higher beta diversity compared to central communities. Additionally, real landscapes host more biodiversity than randomized landscapes due to the heterogeneity in the geographic isolation of communities.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Ashley Trudeau, Thomas Mehner, Thomas Klefoth, Sven Matern, Robert Nikolaus, Robert Arlinghaus
Summary: The trophic niche of aquatic generalist predators is affected by factors such as ontogeny, habitat characteristics, availability and type of prey, and competitive interactions. The study used Eurasian perch as the model species to explore the correlation between multiple lake and fish community characteristics and the size-dependency of perch populations' trophic niche. The results showed that perch populations in shallower lakes reached a higher trophic position at smaller sizes compared to those in deeper lakes. However, the changes in trophic position with increasing size were less significant in perch from deeper lakes, with large individuals achieving higher mean trophic positions. This suggests that deeper lakes are more likely to support the development of large, piscivorous perch compared to shallower lakes.
ECOLOGY OF FRESHWATER FISH
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Sarah Ohayon, Hikaru Homma, Shahar Malamud, Ilia Ostrovsky, Ruthy Yahel, Thomas Mehner, Mor Kanari, Jonathan Belmaker
Summary: This study examined the effects of a no-take marine protected area in the Eastern Mediterranean on fish populations using three survey methods. The results showed a reduction in fish biomass along the periphery of the protected area, indicating the presence of an edge effect. However, the study did not find evidence of biotic resistance to non-indigenous species within the protected area. These findings highlight the importance of continuous monitoring of marine protected areas to understand their effectiveness.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hoang-Tien Vo, Maria Vrachioli, Fabian Frick, Johannes Sauer, Sandra Brucet Balmana, Lluis Benejam Vidal, Thomas Mehner, Pieter Lemmens, Beat Oertli, Aurelie Boissezon, Meryem Bekliog, Antoine Dolcerocca, Mariana Meerhoff
Summary: Ponds are important for ecosystem services globally and efforts are being made to create new ponds, restore existing ones, and understand their characteristics and efficiency in providing ecosystem services. Preferences of stakeholders in European, Turkish, and Uruguayan demo-sites vary, with environmental benefits being prioritized by European and Turkish stakeholders and economic benefits by Uruguayan stakeholders.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
