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Freshwater Biodiversity: Conservation and Management
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Freshwater Biodiversity: Conservation and Management

A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Biodiversity and Functionality of Aquatic Ecosystems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 November 2023) | Viewed by 11456

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Iga Lewin

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Guest Editor
Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 9, 40-007 Katowice, Poland
Interests: hydrobiology; freshwater ecology; Mollusca; anthropogenic salinisation; biological invasions; macroinvertebrates; biomonitoring; anthropogenic reservoirs; pollution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Dariusz Halabowski

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Ecology and Vertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
Interests: biological invasions; ecology; environmental sciences; hydrobiology; water management; water monitoring
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Freshwater ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, inland wetlands and anthropogenic reservoirs, cover less than 1% of Earth's surface and are inhabited by at least 10% of Earth's species. Freshwater biodiversity comprises genes, species, populations, communities and ecosystems, and provides vital ecosystem services for human well-being. It is declining dramatically worldwide. According to the latest Living Planet Report, globally, wetlands have declined three times faster than forests, and freshwater vertebrates have declined by 84% since 1970. What is more, the rate of biodiversity loss in freshwater is twice the rate in terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The Anthropocene has brought multiple new and serious threats that impact freshwater biodiversity. Among the top 12 emerging stressors for freshwater ecosystems that are new or have intensified, climate change, biological invasions, infectious diseases, habitat loss and barriers to migration routes, and pollution (including freshwater salinisation and microplastic contamination) and cumulative stressors are the most important. In 2020, freshwater scientists elaborated an Emergency Recovery Plan to bend the curve of freshwater biodiversity loss. These priority actions include, among others, accelerating the implementation of environmental flows, improving water quality, protecting and restoring critical habitats, preventing and controlling invasive alien species (IAS) and safeguarding and restoring river connectivity. The most recent example of insufficient freshwater management, restoration and monitoring was the loss of biodiversity during the ecological disaster in the Oder River in the summer of 2022 (Poland).

To tackle the threats of freshwater biodiversity loss, this Special Issue will provide a platform for exchanging views and experiences, and for the publication of research on the conservation and management of freshwaters. These are priority research areas and are important, especially in the face of a climate and environmental emergency. In this framework, we welcome all fundamental and applied studies on freshwater biodiversity, conservation and management, as well as scientific solutions to bend the curve of freshwater biodiversity loss, which could help decision-makers and stakeholders in the sustainable management of freshwater ecosystems.

Prof. Dr. Iga Lewin
Dr. Dariusz Halabowski
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • freshwater ecosystems
  • biodiversity
  • conservation
  • management
  • habitat loss
  • freshwater pollution
  • environmental emergency

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 3438 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Fishery Management in Tanghe Reservoir, China: Insights from Food Web Structure and Ecosystem Analysis
by Longhui Qiu, Yuhui Qiu, Legen Peng, Jianzhong Shen, Guangyu Li and Jiangwei Li
Water 2024, 16(2), 200; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16020200 - 5 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1005
Abstract
Situated within China’s Liaoning Province, Tanghe Reservoir stands as an exemplar in the realm of reservoirs dedicated to eco-friendly fisheries development. Regrettably, frequent incidents compromising water quality and substantial reductions in reservoir fishery profits have plagued the area due to the absence of [...] Read more.
Situated within China’s Liaoning Province, Tanghe Reservoir stands as an exemplar in the realm of reservoirs dedicated to eco-friendly fisheries development. Regrettably, frequent incidents compromising water quality and substantial reductions in reservoir fishery profits have plagued the area due to the absence of effective stocking theory guidance. However, the internal ecosystem drivers responsible for these outcomes have remained elusive. This study, leveraging an Ecopath model, delves into an exploration of the food web structure and ecosystem characteristics inherent to Tanghe Reservoir. The findings gleaned from this research demonstrate that the Tanghe Reservoir ecosystem boasts a considerable capacity for material cycling, yet it has not reached full maturity. A multitude of fish species, zoobenthos, and even zooplankton entities exhibit eco-trophic efficiencies exceeding 0.9, indicative of their rampant overexploitation. Notably, the primary cultured species, Aristichthys nobilis and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, command significant biomass levels but register lower nutritional conversion efficiencies, signifying their overstocked status. Drawing from the tenets of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) theory, we advocate for a heightened emphasis on the harvest of Aristichthys nobilis and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Biodiversity: Conservation and Management)
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16 pages, 2390 KiB  
Article
Glass Eel Restocking Experiments in Typologically Different Upland Rivers: How Much Have We Learned about the Importance of Recipient Habitats?
by Billy Nzau Matondo, François Fontaine, Olivier Detrait, Cathérine Poncelet, Stéphanie Vandresse, Patrice Orban, Justine Gelder, Séverine Renardy, Jean Philippe Benitez, Arnaud Dierckx, Frédéric Dumonceau, Xavier Rollin and Michaël Ovidio
Water 2023, 15(17), 3133; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15173133 - 31 Aug 2023
Viewed by 913
Abstract
The efficiency of glass eel restocking as a conservation measure to restore the altered local eel stocks has never been evaluated by integrating the dimension of typological diversity of freshwater habitats in eel recruitment performance in terms of the abundance, density, growth, silvering, [...] Read more.
The efficiency of glass eel restocking as a conservation measure to restore the altered local eel stocks has never been evaluated by integrating the dimension of typological diversity of freshwater habitats in eel recruitment performance in terms of the abundance, density, growth, silvering, survival, catchability and eel yields. Here, we used the electrofishing method during a 6-year study to catch eels, and the most appropriate Jolly–Seber model was applied to estimate the demographic parameters in open populations. We found that most eels were yellow eels in the growth phase with a low abundance (eels 3+: 2.8% and eels 5+: 7.1%) of silver eels, which were only males at the MII migrating phase. Eel recruitment performance varied between sector/river habitats. Restocked eels showed annually positive allometric growth type with good length increments and better condition factors. They have survived in almost all sectors with a survival rate > 0.810. Eels were more abundant and denser (maximum 0.128 individuals m−2) in one sector with a high quality of habitats offering optimal living conditions in terms of the protection against predators and water flow, settlement and food availability, as revealed by it having the highest eel yields. In contrast, no eels were found in two sectors whose habitats offered a high threat of predation, poor burial properties and insufficient protection against water flow. Sector/river habitats play a key role in the success of yellow eel production and certainly, over time, future genitor production. This study provides recommendations for the management of eels and their habitats during restocking aimed at the conservation of this threatened species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Biodiversity: Conservation and Management)
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18 pages, 2994 KiB  
Article
Functional Response of Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Communities to Temporality in Tropical Temporary Ponds
by Aliano J. Tette-Pomárico, Cesar E. Tamaris-Turizo, Ángela J. Motta Diaz and Pedro Eslava-Eljaiek
Water 2023, 15(15), 2753; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15152753 - 29 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1189
Abstract
Temporary or stationary wetlands (ponds) are bodies of shallow water that experience periodic droughts and an irregular flood cycle throughout the year. Although these wetlands are widely distributed in the Colombian territory, there have been few studies on their ecology. The aim of [...] Read more.
Temporary or stationary wetlands (ponds) are bodies of shallow water that experience periodic droughts and an irregular flood cycle throughout the year. Although these wetlands are widely distributed in the Colombian territory, there have been few studies on their ecology. The aim of this research is to determine the effects of hydroperiod on the functional diversity of aquatic and semiaquatic macroinvertebrates in five temporary ponds in the department of Magdalena (Colombia). The samplings were performed during the hydroperiods of the filling and drying phases. Samples were collected from all the microhabitats present (sediment, littoral, and limnetic zones). Correlation analyses were performed between the traits and sites in the two hydroperiods, and a multidimensional and comparative analysis of functional diversity was performed, where indices of distance, richness, and functional dispersion were calculated in each hydroperiod. Statistical differences in functional replacement were found for only one of the ponds; however, the other ponds showed a similar trend. These results fit the functional turnover ecological hypothesis in that the response of the aquatic and semiaquatic macroinvertebrate communities was associated with the hydroperiod of the ponds based on the habitat “templet” theory. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Biodiversity: Conservation and Management)
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30 pages, 18880 KiB  
Article
Fish Assemblages as Ecological Indicators in the Büyük Menderes (Great Meander) River, Turkey
by Stamatis Zogaris, Nicholas Koutsikos, Yorgos Chatzinikolaou, Saniye Cevher Őzeren, Kaan Yence, Vassiliki Vlami, Pinar Güler Kohlmeier and Gürçay Kıvanç Akyildiz
Water 2023, 15(12), 2292; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15122292 - 19 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1639
Abstract
This research describes fish assemblages and associated aquatic ecosystem degradation patterns in the Büyük Menderes River, one of Turkey’s most important Anatolian basins. Using standard electrofishing, 44 river sites were sampled throughout the basin accounting for the distribution and abundance of 20 native [...] Read more.
This research describes fish assemblages and associated aquatic ecosystem degradation patterns in the Büyük Menderes River, one of Turkey’s most important Anatolian basins. Using standard electrofishing, 44 river sites were sampled throughout the basin accounting for the distribution and abundance of 20 native and seven non-native species, totaling 13,535 fish specimens. At each sampling site, anthropogenic pressures were assessed, and information was gathered to determine the degree of human-induced degradation that may affect fish and their habitats; each site was scored on the basis of a site quality index (SQI). Using the best-available relatively less-degraded river sites, cluster analyses of the samples defined six fish assemblage river types. Further classification of all fish samples utilizing bipartite network analysis resulted in comparable assemblage groupings. The European Fish Index (EFI+) with minor adaptations was applied for assessing river ecological integrity at all sampled sites in order to explore the utility of this widely used index. The EFI+ index results correlated with scores of the SQI but provided a very narrow assessment range, thus failing to accurately and consistently assess the severity of anthropogenic degradation. We recommend a new multimetric index to be developed for the Western Anatolian Ecoregion, of which this basin is a part. The data and insights gained from this exercise may help continue fish-based indicator development for policy-relevant management and conservation in Turkey’s rivers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Biodiversity: Conservation and Management)
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20 pages, 1984 KiB  
Article
Drivers of the Structure of Mollusc Communities in the Natural Aquatic Habitats along the Valley of a Lowland River: Implications for Their Conservation through the Buffer Zones
by Iga Lewin, Edyta Stępień, Agnieszka Szlauer-Łukaszewska, Joanna Pakulnicka, Robert Stryjecki, Vladimir Pešić, Aleksandra Bańkowska, Izabela Szućko-Kociuba, Grzegorz Michoński, Zuzanna Krzynówek, Maja Krakowiak, Tapas Chatterjee and Andrzej Zawal
Water 2023, 15(11), 2059; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15112059 - 29 May 2023
Viewed by 1748
Abstract
The objectives of our survey were to determine the most important environmental factors within buffer zones that influenced mollusc communities and to evaluate the ecological conservation value of natural aquatic habitats (NAHs) that support mollusc species. Analysis of the spatial structure of buffer [...] Read more.
The objectives of our survey were to determine the most important environmental factors within buffer zones that influenced mollusc communities and to evaluate the ecological conservation value of natural aquatic habitats (NAHs) that support mollusc species. Analysis of the spatial structure of buffer zones and catchments was based on a set of landscape metrics. Land cover classes were determined, and buffer zones within a radius of 500 m from a sampling point were marked out. Mollusc samples were collected from each NAHs. Our results showed that the number of patches and mean patch size were most associated with the distribution of mollusc species. Within patches of buffer zones, the length of the catchment boundaries with low-density housing, an increasing area of forest and pH of the water were also significant. Our results proved that landscape metrics provide essential information about catchment anthropogenic transformation. Therefore, landscape metrics and the designated buffer zones should be included in restoration plans for the river, water bodies and adjacent habitats as elements of modern, sustainable water management. NAHs located along a valley of a lowland river provide refuges for molluscs, play an essential role in the dispersal of IAS, create important protective biogeochemical barriers for rivers, constitute necessary sources of moisture and water and support microhabitats for distinct mollusc communities, especially in the context of global warming. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Biodiversity: Conservation and Management)
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14 pages, 6320 KiB  
Article
Contents of Metals in Sediments and Macrophytes Differed between the Locations in an Alpine Lake Revealing Human Impacts—A Case Study of Lake Bohinj (Slovenia)
by Mateja Germ, Aleksandra Golob, Igor Zelnik, Agnieszka Klink and Ludmiła Polechońska
Water 2023, 15(7), 1254; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15071254 - 23 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2206
Abstract
Metals stored in sediments of lakes can bioaccumulate through the food chain, posing a risk to the environment and human health. Alpine lakes are supposed to be less affected by pollution than lowland lakes and are vulnerable to any changes and impacts in [...] Read more.
Metals stored in sediments of lakes can bioaccumulate through the food chain, posing a risk to the environment and human health. Alpine lakes are supposed to be less affected by pollution than lowland lakes and are vulnerable to any changes and impacts in their catchment areas because of their remote position and ultra-oligotrophic character. Therefore, we used a model Alpine lake, Bohinj (in the Triglav National Park, Julian Alps, Slovenia), to evaluate the load of metals in the abiotic and biotic compartments of the ecosystem, in order to assess the spatial distribution of metals, and finally, to determine whether past and present human activities in the lake’s catchment area may be causing pollution. To this aim, the contents of Cu, Pb, Cr, Cd, Co, Mn, Fe, Zn, Hg and Ni in the sediment, water, and macrophyte samples were determined. The results showed that the average content of some toxic elements, especially in the sediments (Cd 0.52 mg/kg; Hg 0.03 mg/kg) and plants (Co 0.71 mg/kg; Cr 5.88 mg/kg) was elevated compared to natural background values. High Hg contents could be connected with natural geological sources, while other elements were probably of anthropogenic origin. High levels of all elements in the eastern part of the lake indicated long-term pollution, which could be a consequence of past iron extraction and military activities in the vicinity. On the other hand, high contents of elements in the water suggests that intensive touristic activities in the area may cause temporal pollution in the summer. The study sheds light on complicated processes governing the distribution of trace metals in Alpine lakes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Biodiversity: Conservation and Management)
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9 pages, 4544 KiB  
Communication
A New Record of a Nonnative Bivalve Species in an Amazonian Environmental Protection Area: What Might Have Happened?
by Claudia Antonia Campos Rodrigues de Oliveira, Dulcidéia da Conceição Palheta, Diego Gomes Trindade, Tatiane Medeiros Rodrigues and Bianca Bentes
Water 2023, 15(6), 1123; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15061123 - 15 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1429
Abstract
Corbicula fluminea is an Asian mussel that has aggressively invaded freshwater habitats worldwide, causing damage both economically and with the disappearance of native species. In Brazil, this species is present in almost all watersheds, including areas of Federal Conservation Units. In this context, [...] Read more.
Corbicula fluminea is an Asian mussel that has aggressively invaded freshwater habitats worldwide, causing damage both economically and with the disappearance of native species. In Brazil, this species is present in almost all watersheds, including areas of Federal Conservation Units. In this context, the present work reported the first record of C. fluminea in the Carajás mosaic, Pará, Brazil, a Federal Conservation Area. Collections were made in September and February 2021 and May 2022. In total, 154 specimens of C. fluminea were collected. The size range of the specimens was 16 to 28 mm in shell length and 1.46 to 5.91 g in wet weight. This new record extends the distribution of this species in South America and in the tropical watersheds of Brazil and is the first record in federal protected areas, highlighting the need for large-scale knowledge of the environmental and economic changes that the species can cause. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Freshwater Biodiversity: Conservation and Management)
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