Article
Zoology
Tomas Maiztegui, Ariel Hernan Paracampo, Jorge Liotta, Eva Cabanellas, Carlos Bonetto, Dario Cesar Colautti
Summary: Few studies have been conducted on the fish assemblages of Rio de la Plata, and the existing species lists have not been validated. We conducted a comprehensive literature review and fieldwork to update the species composition and hierarchical structure of the fish assemblage. The findings provide valuable information for monitoring and preserving neotropical fish species in their southern distribution boundary.
NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yadu Pokhrel, Amar Deep Tiwari
Summary: The booming hydropower dams in the Mekong River basin have caused hydrological alterations that disrupt aquatic ecosystems and local livelihoods. Urgent reconsideration of hydropower development is needed, and alternative operating strategies could help restore the natural hydrological regimes without affecting power generation.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Victor Cazalis
Summary: The impact of human activities on species richness is debated, with studies suggesting both negative and positive effects. The response of species richness to human pressure varies between regions and can be classified into different trajectories. Moderate human pressure may lead to an increase in species richness, but above a certain threshold, it results in a steep decline. Anthropophilic and non-native species may continue to increase even at high pressure levels.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Francisco Gerson Araujo, Marcia Cristina Costa de Azevedo, Gustavo Henrique Soares Guedes, Benjamin Carvalho Teixeira Pinto
Summary: The study evaluated the relationships between fish abundance, functional traits, and environmental conditions in a tropical Brazilian river under different levels of anthropogenic impacts. It found that high levels of human activities, grass-dominated riparian areas, and small-sized fish with internal fertilization were strongly associated. In contrast, less altered areas had tree-lined riparian zones, medium to large-sized fish with external fertilization, and diverse functional traits.
Article
Biology
Siria Gamez, Abigail Potts, Kirby L. Mills, Aurelia A. Allen, Allyson Holman, Peggy M. Randon, Olivia Linson, Nyeema C. Harris
Summary: This study conducted a meta-analysis on 40 predatory species in 39 cities globally to investigate the effects of urbanization on predator trophic ecology. The results showed that predators in cities had comparable dietary richness, evenness, and nitrogen ratios, but higher carbon isotopic ratios compared to non-urban areas. The study also found that the human footprint index could not explain the variation in effect sizes.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Edwin Y. W. Tan, Mei Lin Neo, Danwei Huang
Summary: This study examines the relationships between different biodiversity measures and the conservation priorities for giant clam species. It finds positive correlations between species richness, functional diversity, and phylogenetic diversity, and identifies specific species and regions that contribute disproportionately to the overall diversity of giant clams.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Keaghan J. Yaxley, Alexander Skeels, Robert A. Foley
Summary: The relationship between phylogenetic diversity and functional diversity varies across environmental gradients such as latitude and is influenced by ecological phenomena such as migration. Therefore, caution should be exercised when using phylogenetic diversity as a proxy for functional diversity, and empirical observations should be evaluated against biogeographically constrained and ecologically informed null models.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Review
Ecology
D. Matthias Dehling, Elisa Barreto, Catherine H. Graham
Summary: Our study suggests using a species' interaction niche to assess its contribution to functional and phylogenetic diversity, in order to identify species and interspecific interactions that are particularly important for ecosystem conservation.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Moshe Gophen
Summary: The natural ecosystem of the Hula Valley in Israel, including the old lake Hula, swamps, and cultivated land, was disrupted by drainage, resulting in a decline in biodiversity and negative effects on the water quality of Lake Kinneret downstream. After forty years, a reclamation project was implemented, leading to an improvement in hydrological conditions and agricultural development. Comparing the plant, bird, and fish inventories before and after drainage and reclamation, it was found that there was an enhancement in species richness and biodiversity. However, the long-term sustainability of the integration of agriculture and nature under the newly created conditions that enhanced biodiversity requires a risk assessment.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Moses Elleason, Zhuoli Guan, Yiming Deng, Aiwu Jiang, Eben Goodale, Christos Mammides
Summary: A review of literature and analysis of over 19,000 terrestrial protected areas worldwide found that the differences between strictly protected areas and areas where multiple human uses are permitted are often small and not statistically significant. While the effectiveness of protected areas varies globally, factors beyond their assigned IUCN category are likely influencing this pattern.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Adam Brysiewicz, Przemyslaw Czerniejewski, Jaroslaw Dabrowski, Krzysztof Formicki, Beata Wiecaszek
Summary: Small watercourses are highly sensitive to environmental changes and human activities, which can lead to a decline in biodiversity. This study assessed the environmental conditions and fish species in 10 small watercourses, and found that the fish communities were affected by various habitat parameters. Understanding the preferred habitat conditions of each species is crucial for water management and ecological restoration.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Castaldi Simona, Formicola Nicola, Mastrocicco Micol, Morales Rodriguez Carmen, Morelli Raffaella, Prodorutti Daniele, Vannini Andrea, Zanzotti Roberto
Summary: Sustainable agricultural practices are increasingly important for global and national environmental policies and economy. This study compared the sustainability of grape production under integrated and organic management using multiple indicators. The results showed that organic management was more beneficial for most environmental aspects of the agroecosystem compared to integrated management, without affecting grape yield.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Min Xu, Rong Wang, Xuhui Dong, Qinghui Zhang, Xiangdong Yang
Summary: Understanding the response of biological communities to anthropogenic eutrophication is crucial for biodiversity conservation. This study combines paleolimnology and network science to propose a heterogeneity index (H) for measuring community successions. The results show that different degrees of eutrophication have varying effects on diatom communities, and there are discrepancies between different indices.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dawei Zhang, Zicong Guo, Yigong Gao, Xiaxia Niu, Jiayi He, Xinyi Liu, Xinyi Fu, Hui Xu
Summary: The Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative is closely aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 and could have a significant global impact. However, research and data accumulation on sustainable development in relation to B&R are currently inadequate. A comprehensive evaluation method called the Consumption-Pressure-Output-Efficiency method has been constructed based on the ultimate goal of sustainable development. A database with five datasets, including ecological consumption, planetary pressures, human well-being outputs, ecological well-being output efficiency, and related data, has been provided to facilitate further research on sustainable development under planetary pressures and others of B&R.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carlos Martinez-Nunez, Ricardo Martinez-Prentice, Vicente Garcia-Navas
Summary: Unveiling the processes that shape biodiversity patterns is crucial for ecology. Land-use diversity is considered an important environmental factor that promotes species richness. This study found strong support for the hypothesis that land-use diversity predicts bird taxonomic and functional richness globally.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Lilian Paula Vasconcelos, Diego Correa Alves, Angelo Antonio Agostinho, Lisiane Hahn, Luis Fernando da Camara, Luiz Carlos Gomes
Summary: The study found that fish reproductive activity occurred both upstream of the Jirau Dam and within the Santo Antonio Reservoir. Some ichthyoplankton crossed the Santo Antonio Dam downstream, but at least some of their larval development stages disappeared along the reservoir. A critical section was identified in the last 10 km of the reservoir, possibly due to the drifting characteristics or mortality rates.
Article
Ecology
Mirtha A. Angulo-Valencia, Rosa M. Dias, Diego C. Alves, Kirk O. Winemiller, Angelo A. Agostinho
Summary: Human activities, such as dam regulation and introduction of non-native species, have had significant impacts on freshwater ecosystems, particularly on fish communities. The study found that the interaction between non-native species and dam alteration adversely affects the functional diversity of native fishes, especially those with a periodic life history strategy.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joyce Andreia dos Santos, Camila Barbosa Silva, Herick Soares de Santanae, Carlos Cano-Barbacil, Angelo Antonio Agostinho, Felipe Talin Normando, Joao Rodrigo Cabeza, Fabio Roland, Emili Garcia-Berthou
Summary: This study examines the impacts of dam construction on fish assemblages in tropical freshwater ecosystems. Rarely available data obtained before and after damming were used to assess the effects. The results showed negative trends in most response variables, with temporal and spatial variation playing a larger role in explaining the variation. Therefore, preserving upstream tributaries and natural environmental variation may help mitigate the impacts of damming on tropical ecosystems.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Ana Paula Dalcin, Guilherme Fernandes Marques, Anielly Galego de Oliveira, Amaury Tilmant
Summary: Flow regulation through dams increases water and energy security for society but also threatens the natural equilibrium of river basins, leaving ecosystems and communities more vulnerable. To guide the design of environmental flows and support improved ecosystem restoration, a methodology framework is proposed that builds an ensemble of flow regime options based on the naturalized flow regime range variability and quantifies the ecosystem response of each option in terms of migratory fish abundance with an artificial neural network model.
JOURNAL OF WATER RESOURCES PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Jislaine Cristina da Silva, Gabriela Cassia Zanon Reinas, Angelo Antonio Agostinho, Andrea Bialetzki
Summary: Invasions of non-native fish species are caused by human activities that disrupt historically insurmountable barriers. This study used long-term data and distribution surveys to establish the invasion chronology and distribution of P. ambrosettii in the Upper Parana River basin, finding that its non-native distribution has exceeded geographical barriers.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Fernando M. Pelicice, Angelo Antonio Agostinho, Valter M. Azevedo-Santos, Eduardo Bessa, Lilian Casatti, Domingos Garrone-Neto, Luiz Carlos Gomes, Carla S. Pavanelli, Ana Cristina Petry, Paulo dos Santos Pompeu, Roberto E. Reis, Fabio de Oliveira Roque, Jose Sabino, Leandro Melo de Sousa, Fabio Silveira Vilella, Jansen Zuanon
Summary: The study found that Neotropical freshwater fishes provide multiple benefits to society, including provisioning services such as fisheries and ornamental fish, as well as regulating services like seed dispersal and nutrient cycling. However, human activities have negatively impacted the generation of these ecosystem services, particularly in relation to fishing and food provisioning.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mirtha Amanda Angulo-Valencia, Oscar Pelaez, Diego Correa Alves, Luiz Carlos Gomes, Angelo Antonio Agostinho
Summary: This study assessed the invasion process of non-native fish species in the upper Parana River floodplain from 1986 to 2018. It aimed to answer three questions: (1) whether non-native species abundance differs between lakes and rivers; (2) whether the probability of occurrence of non-native species differs between lakes and rivers over time, and (3) whether the probability of occurrence is explained by functional traits, phylogenetic relationships, or native range. The analysis showed that species abundance was higher in lakes, while the probability of occurrence was higher in rivers. Range size, functional traits, and habitat use dimensions positively influenced the probability of occurrence of non-native species. The most important functional traits included offspring investment, egg size and fertilization type, defense, and shape factor.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Leidiane Pereira Diniz, Danielle Katharine Petsch, Tatiane Mantovano, Luzia Cleide Rodrigues, Angelo Antonio Agostinho, Claudia Costa Bonecker
Summary: Extreme climate events and damming of rivers can intensify the impacts of droughts and floods on aquatic biota. This study investigates how a prolonged drought affects the similarity of aquatic metacommunities compared to a period with extreme flood events. The results suggest that while environmental variability decreases during drought, the homogenization of biota depends on the component of beta diversity considered. The findings highlight the importance of natural flood events for maintaining environmental variability and ecosystem functioning in floodplains.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fernanda A. S. Cassemiro, James S. Albert, Alexandre Antonelli, Andre Menegotto, Rafael O. Wueest, Felipe Cerezer, Marco Tulio P. Coelho, Roberto E. Reis, Milton Tan, Victor Tagliacollo, Dayani Bailly, Valeria F. B. da Silva, Augusto Frota, Weferson J. da Graca, Reginaldo Re, Telton Ramos, Anielly G. Oliveira, Andrea Rinaldo, Murilo S. Dias, Robert K. Colwell, Thiago F. Rangel, Catherine H. Graham
Summary: River network rearrangements have significant effects on species dispersal and lineage diversification, with major landscape evolution events associated with abrupt shifts in net diversification rates. The Western Amazonia region in South America, with its high diversification rates and extensive biotic interchange, has played a crucial role in the assembly and diversification of fish faunas.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
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
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fernanda A. S. Cassemiro, James S. Albert, Alexandre Antonelli, Andre Menegotto, Rafael O. Wuest, Felipe Cerezer, Marco Tulio P. Coelho, Roberto E. Reis, Milton Tan, Victor Tagliacollo, Dayani Bailly, Valeria F. B. da Silva, Augusto Frota, Weferson J. da Graca, Reginaldo Re, Telton Ramos, Anielly G. Oliveira, Murilo S. Dias, Robert K. Colwell, Thiago F. Rangel, Catherine H. Graham
Summary: The effects of river network rearrangements on species dispersal and lineage diversification are poorly understood. By studying South American freshwater fishes, it was found that major landscape evolution events led to abrupt shifts in net diversification rates. Western Amazonia, since the Mid-Miocene, has been an important source of species dispersing to other regions. The study supports the hypothesis that landscape dynamics strongly affected the assembly and diversification of basin-wide fish faunas.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Rosa Maria Dias, Oscar Pelaez, Taise Miranda Lopes, Anielly Galego de Oliveira, Mirtha Amanda Angulo-Valencia, Angelo Antonio Agostinho
Summary: This study evaluated the abundance of Salminus brasiliensis populations in the upper Parana River floodplain. Despite an overall decrease in abundance, less impacted sites had higher abundances and slower decline in probability of occurrence. These sites also showed improved fish condition over time. Protected areas in the upper Parana River played a mitigating role by slowing down population decline and serving as a source for propagation to other areas.
NEOTROPICAL ICHTHYOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Taise M. Lopes, Maria J. M. Ganassin, Anielly G. de Oliveira, Igor P. Affonso, Luiz C. Gomes
Summary: This study characterized the diet composition and feeding behavior of the cichlid Astronotus crassipinnis in different size classes, revealing ontogenetic diet shifts and trophic opportunism of the species. The piscivorous strategy of A. crassipinnis in the invaded environment may impact fish biodiversity, altering ecosystem functioning.
IHERINGIA SERIE ZOOLOGIA
(2022)
