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Monitoring and Conservation of Freshwater Biodiversity

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 2061

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: freshwater ecology; freshwater fish; lake ecosystem structure; inland fisheries
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: freshwater biodiversity; ecological indices; ecology; freshwater fish; inland fisheries; conservation and management of freshwater ecosystems; water quality; ecotoxicology, ecosystems structure and functioning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The “Monitoring and Conservation of Freshwater Biodiversity" Special Issue addresses the urgent need for effective strategies to preserve the biodiversity of freshwater ecosystems (both lentic and lotic). It invites contributions that explore innovative methodologies, case studies, and policy implications for the protection and restoration of these critical habitats. Topics include biodiversity assessment methods, ecological monitoring, conservation strategies, the impact of human activities, and community involvement. The goal is to integrate scientific research with practical conservation efforts, providing innovative solutions to the challenges facing freshwater biodiversity

Freshwater ecosystems, encompassing rivers, lakes, wetlands, and streams, are among the most biodiverse yet threatened habitats on Earth. The "Monitoring and Conservation of Freshwater Biodiversity" Special Issue aims to address the critical need for effective monitoring and conservation strategies to preserve these vital ecosystems and their diverse species. This Special Issue invites contributions that explore innovative methodologies, case studies, and policy implications related to the protection and restoration of freshwater biodiversity.

Topics of Interest:

  • Biodiversity Assessment Methods: development and application of advanced techniques for assessing freshwater biodiversity, including molecular tools (e.g., eDNA), remote sensing, and bioindicator species.
  • Ecological Monitoring: long-term monitoring programs and their role in tracking changes in freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem health.
  • Conservation Strategies: case studies and research on successful conservation initiatives, habitat restoration projects, and the establishment of protected areas.
  • Conservation of Threatened Species: research focused on identifying, protecting, and restoring populations of endangered and vulnerable freshwater species.
  • Biodiversity Hotspots: studies on regions with exceptionally high levels of freshwater biodiversity and the unique challenges and opportunities they present for conservation.
  • Impact of Human Activities: investigations into the effects of pollution, climate change, invasive species, and habitat fragmentation on freshwater ecosystems.
  • Policy and Management: analysis of current policies, management practices, and regulatory frameworks aimed at conserving freshwater biodiversity, and recommendations for improvement.
  • Community Involvement: the role of local communities, citizen science, and public engagement in the conservation of freshwater resources.

We welcome original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and insightful perspectives from diverse disciplines, including but not limited to ecology, environmental science, conservation biology, hydrology, and environmental policy. Contributions should emphasize the integration of scientific research with practical conservation efforts and highlight innovative solutions to the challenges facing freshwater biodiversity.

Dr. Olga Petriki
Dr. Dimitra Bobori
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. Applied Sciences 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 2400 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 biodiversity
  • ecological monitoring
  • conservation strategies
  • habitat restoration
  • environmental impact
  • policy and management
  • community engagement
  • molecular tools
  • remote sensing

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

16 pages, 3377 KiB  
Article
The Compositional and Functional Diversity of a Mediterranean Urban Lake’s Fish Fauna over the Past 120 Years
by Olga Petriki and Dimitra C. Bobori
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(14), 6099; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14146099 - 12 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1618
Abstract
This study examines the compositional (taxonomic) and functional diversity changes in the fish fauna of a Mediterranean urban lake (Lake Kastoria) over a period of 12 decades (1900–2020, as of 2022). Moreover, the current status (2010 and 2022) of the fish fauna is [...] Read more.
This study examines the compositional (taxonomic) and functional diversity changes in the fish fauna of a Mediterranean urban lake (Lake Kastoria) over a period of 12 decades (1900–2020, as of 2022). Moreover, the current status (2010 and 2022) of the fish fauna is assessed along with the lake’s ecological quality. Intentional or accidental species introductions resulted in significant compositional changes in the lake’s fish fauna. The functional richness among the assemblages from 1900 and 2020 was increased due to species introductions, resulting in a peak of functional dissimilarity in 1990, when most introductions took place. However, the functional dissimilarity measures revealed that there have been moderate changes in groups of the functional traits which may be indicative of high species competition. The lake’s open waters are dominated by Rutilus rutilus and the introduced species Perca fluviatilis and Lepomis gibbosus. The estimated ecological quality was higher in 2022 than in 2010, categorizing the lake as having “Moderate” quality and providing an upgrade from its earlier ‘Poor” condition. This positive shift is attributed in part to the burgeoning population of Perca fluviatilis, as evidenced by increased catch rates. The species’ resurgence may be linked to enhancements in the lake’s physicochemical parameters, potentially facilitated by more effective treatment of urban wastes. The study underscores the complex interplay between species introductions, functional diversity, and ecological quality in the urban Lake Kastoria, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and management efforts to sustainably preserve and enhance the biodiversity and ecological integrity of urban aquatic ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring and Conservation of Freshwater Biodiversity)
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