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A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Water, Agriculture and Aquaculture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 October 2022) | Viewed by 17346

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Xiangli Tian

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Guest Editor

Fisheries College, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
Interests: aquaculture ecology; aquatic microbial ecology; probiotics for aquaculture

Prof. Dr. Li Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Fisheries College, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
Interests: aquaculture ecology; water quality management; aquaculture ecosystems; traceability of aquaculture products; microbial community in aquaculture ecosystems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Worldwide demand for aquatic products is growing due to population growth and increased fish consumption, and this demand is expected to increase by 57% between 2005 and 2050 (FAO, 2014). However, aquaculture faces environmental challenges in its efforts to increase both the quantity and quality of production without increasing the negative externalities. Aquaculture ecology belongs to the category of applied ecology. It is the science of the interaction between environment and commercial aquatic organisms as well as their farming activities, and the principles for the establishment and management of aquaculture systems. Its basic goal is to provide a theoretical basis and key technical supports for the sustainable development of aquaculture industry, i.e., to protect the ecological environment of farming waters, rationalize the use of resources, and improve economic efficiency. Aquaculture ecology is closely related to the development of the aquaculture industry. On one hand, the technicalization of its theoretical achievements can correspondingly promote the development of the aquaculture industry; on the other hand, its development is strongly driven by the expansion of the industrial scale and the increase in farming species. For this Special Issue of Water, manuscripts (original research and reviews) are solicited that describe advances in individual ecology of commercial aquatic organisms, ecology of aquaculture systems, interaction between aquaculture activities and the environment, structure of function of the microbial community, principles of environment management in aquaculture ecosystems, etc. in recent decades.

Prof. Dr. Xiangli Tian
Prof. Dr. Li Li
Guest Editors

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Keywords

ecophysiology of commercial aquatic organisms
water quality
structure and function of microbial community
ecological model
aquaculture environment interactions
environment management
aquaculture ecosystems
sustainability of aquaculture systems

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 163 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial: Advances in Aquaculture Ecology Research

Xiangli Tian

and

Li Li

Water 2023, 15(8), 1629; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15081629 - 21 Apr 2023

Viewed by 709

Abstract

This Special Issue describes the advances in the last decades in the research fields of individual ecology of commercial aquatic organisms, the ecology of aquaculture systems, interactions between aquaculture activities and the environment, the structure and function of the microbial community, principles of [...] Read more.

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Aquaculture Ecology Research)

Research

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12 pages, 3679 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Biology of Daphniopsis tibetana from Different Habitats under Seawater Acclimation

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Water 2023, 15(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15010034 - 22 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1037

Abstract

In this paper, we used experimental ecology methods and third-generation transcriptome sequencing to see the differences in growth, development, and reproduction of three strains of Daphniopsis tibetana Sars, 1903 from different locations in Tibet (Lake Namukacuo, NMKC; Lake Pengcuo, PC; and Lake Zigetangcuo, ZGTC). We also wanted to determine if the genes had changed after seawater-domesticated D. tibetana was reared in a laboratory. The results showed that at 15–16 ppt salinity and 15 ± 0.5 °C, the NMKC strain exhibited the highest survival rate of 26 d, and the ZGTC strain had the lowest survival rate at 53 days of culture. The body length was observed in NMKC (153.6 ± 12.1%), followed by PC (136.4 ± 16.1%), and then ZGTC (86.2 ± 7.6%). Combined, wild-type and seawater-acclimated D. tibetana produced 7252 DEGs, of which 4146 were up-regulated and 3106 were down-regulated. DEGs were subjected to gene ontology enrichment analysis. The DEGs were mainly enriched in single-organism localization, transporter activity, macromolecule localization, and organic substance transport. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis was also performed and revealed that the RNA transport, protein digestion and absorption, and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum pathways were highly enriched. The data mined can provide a reference for follow-up research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Aquaculture Ecology Research)

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21 pages, 5099 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Bacillus pumilus BP-171 and Carbon Sources on the Growth Performance of Shrimp, Water Quality and Bacterial Community in Penaeus vannamei Culture System

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Water 2022, 14(24), 4037; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14244037 - 10 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1119

Abstract

A strain of Bacillus pumilus BP-171 with the ability of heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification was isolated from a shrimp culture pond and showed good denitrification ability under laboratory conditions. In order to investigate the effects of strain BP-171 and its combinations with different carbon sources, i.e., poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV) and molasses, on the growth performance of shrimp, water quality and bacterial community in culture system of Penaeus vannamei, this experiment was set up. Four experimental groups were designed, i.e., group B applied with a single B. pumilus BP-171, the BP added with BP-171 and PHBV, the BM added with BP-171 and molasses, and the control DZ without the probiotic and carbon source. The results showed that the specific growth rate, final body weight, gross weight, feed efficiency rate and survival rate of shrimp in the BP and BM groups were better than those in the control (p < 0.05), while the survival rate and gross weight of shrimp in group B were also better than those in the control (p < 0.05). Among them, the best growth performance of shrimp was observed in the group BP. The concentrations of ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and total nitrogen were significantly lower in all treatment groups than in the control (p < 0.05). The lowest concentrations of ammonia and nitrite were found in group B, while those of nitrate and total nitrogen were found in group BP (p < 0.05). The concentrations of dissolved organic carbon and total organic carbon in both BP and BM groups were significantly higher than in group B and the control (p < 0.05). Compared to the control, the abundance and diversity of the bacterial community in water did not change with the addition of probiotics and carbon sources. However, altered structure and predicted function, as well as improved stability of the ecological network of the bacterial community, were observed in water. In view of the above, the addition of B. pumilus BP-171 and PHBV significantly promoted the growth performance of shrimp, effectively improved water quality, and enhanced the stability of the ecological network of bacterial communities in water, which could have great potential for the application in intensive culture of P. vannamei. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Aquaculture Ecology Research)

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15 pages, 4220 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Effects of Long-Term High Carbonate Alkalinity Stress on the Ovarian Development in Exopalaemon carinicauda

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Water 2022, 14(22), 3690; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14223690 - 15 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1351

Abstract

Saline–alkaline water limits the growth and survival of aquatic animals due to its high carbonate alkalinity, high pH, and various ion imbalances. The ridgetail white prawn Exopalaemon carinicauda is strongly adaptable to the saline–alkaline water, making it an excellent candidate species for large-scale aquaculture in saline–alkaline areas. To explore the effect of long-term high carbonate alkalinity stress on ovarian development in E. carinicauda for assisting the development of saline–alkaline aquaculture, we performed ovary histology analysis and RNA–sequencing of the eyestalk and ovary in order to compare the transcriptomic responses of individuals in high carbonate alkalinity (8 mmol/L) with a control group (2 mmol/L) for 60 days. It was found that high carbonate alkalinity stress resulted in a loose arrangement of oogonia and a small number of surrounding follicular cells. A total of 1102 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ovary tissue were identified under high carbonate alkalinity stress, and the 18 important DEGs were associated with ovarian development. The majority of the DEGs were enriched in ECM–receptor interaction, Folate biosynthesis, the FoxO signaling pathway, insect hormone biosynthesis, and lysosome, which were involved in the ovarian development of E. carinicauda. A total of 468 DEGs were identified in eyestalk tissue under high carbonate alkalinity stress, and the 13 important DEGs were associated with ovarian development. KEGG enrichment analysis found that ECM–receptor interaction, folate biosynthesis, lysosome, metabolic pathways, and retinol metabolism may be involved in the ovarian development under high carbonate alkalinity stress. Our results provide new insights and reveal the genes and pathways involved in the ovarian development of E. carinicauda under long-term high carbonate alkalinity stress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Aquaculture Ecology Research)

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19 pages, 6612 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Impact of Floating Raft Aquaculture on the Hydrodynamic Environment of an Open Sea Area in Liaoning Province, China

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Water 2022, 14(19), 3125; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14193125 - 04 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1263

Abstract

The sea area of Changhai County in Dalian City is a typical floating raft aquaculture area, located in Liaoning Province, China, where a key issue in determining the scale and spatial layout of the floating raft aquaculture is the assessment of the impact of aquaculture activities on the hydrodynamic environment. To address this issue, we established depth-averaged two-dimensional shallow water equations and three-dimensional incompressible Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations for the open sea area described in this paper. The impact of floating rafts for aquaculture on hydrodynamic force was reflected in the numerical model by changing the Manning number, where scenarios with different aquaculture densities were taken into account. Finally, the water exchange rate of the floating raft aquaculture area in the study area was calculated. It was found, through a comparison between the simulated value and the measured value obtained via layered observation, that the two values were in good agreement with each other, indicating that the model exhibits great accuracy. In addition, the calculation results for scenarios before and after aquaculture were compared and analyzed, showing that from low-density to high-density aquaculture zones, the variation in flow rate was greater than 80% at the peak of a flood tide. The water exchange rates of the water body after 1 day, 4 days, and 8 days of water exchange were also calculated, and the results show that they had been reduced by 17.92%, 13.59%, and 1.63%, respectively, indicating that the existence of floating rafts for aquaculture indeed reduced the water exchange capacity of the water body. The model described in this paper can serve as a foundation for other studies on aquaculture in open sea areas, and it provides a theoretical basis for the scientific formulation of marine aquaculture plans and the rational optimization of the spatial layout. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Aquaculture Ecology Research)

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13 pages, 3040 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Temperature on Growth, Molting, Feed Intake, and Energy Metabolism of Individually Cultured Juvenile Mud Crab Scylla paramamosain in the Recirculating Aquaculture System

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Water 2022, 14(19), 2988; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14192988 - 23 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2031

Abstract

An eight-week experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of temperature (20, 25, 30, and 35 °C) on growth performance, feed intake, energy metabolism, antioxidant capacity, and the stress response of juvenile Scylla paramamosain in a recirculating aquaculture system. The results showed that the survival rate of the 35 °C group was 80.36 ± 5.92%, significantly lower than that of the other three groups (100%). The high molt frequency of mud crabs was observed in high-temperature groups, accompanied by a higher ecdysone level and ecdysone receptor gene expression but lower molt inhibitory hormone gene expression. However, the molt increment (73.58 ± 2.18%), food intake, and feed conversion efficiency showed a parabolic trend, with the lowest value found in the 35 °C group. Oxygen consumption rate and ammonia excretion rate increased with the increasing temperature, and oxygen-nitrogen ratio, lactic acid, triglyceride, total cholesterol, glucose, and cortisol peaked at 35 °C. Temperature also significantly affected the antioxidant system of S. paramamosain. Crabs in the 25 °C and 30 °C had a significantly higher total antioxidant capacity and lower malondialdehyde compared with the 35 °C group (p < 0.05). Although the high temperature promoted molting, it decreased the feeding rate and growth performance, leading to oxidative stress and functional hypoxia. The quadratic function model demonstrated the optimum temperature for the specific growth rate of juvenile S. paramamosain was 28.5–29.7 °C. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Aquaculture Ecology Research)

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12 pages, 1020 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Interactions between Cultivated Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis and Floating Sargassum horneri under Controlled Laboratory Conditions

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Water 2022, 14(17), 2664; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14172664 - 28 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1235

Abstract

The golden tide dominated by Sargassum has become a frequently-occurring marine ecological event that may constitute major biotic threats to seaweed aquaculture. In this study, the interaction between cultivated Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis (GL) and floating Sargassum horneri (SH) was investigated by physiological and biochemical measurements under mono-culture and co-culture with different biomass density ratios of 2:1 (2GL:1SH), 1:1 (1GL:1SH), and 1:2 (1GL:2SH). The relative growth rate, net photosynthetic rate, and NO₃-N uptake rate of G. lemaneiformis were significantly greater at the biomass density ratio of 2:1 than at mono-culture. However, these physiological parameters and biochemical composition contents (chlorophyll a and soluble protein) of G. lemaneiformis decreased significantly with increasing biomass of S. horneri. Meanwhile, these physiological and biochemical parameters of S. horneri were greater in all co-culture models than at mono-culture. They decreased significantly with decreasing biomass of G. lemaneiformis. These results indicate that the occurrence of floating S. horneri with low biomass can stimulate the growth of G. lemaneiformis, whereas its outbreak may significantly reduce the production and quality of G. lemaneiformis. G. lemaneiformis cultivation may be beneficial to the increased biomass of floating S. horneri. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Aquaculture Ecology Research)

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27 pages, 7012 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Protein Level on the Production and Growth Performance of Juvenile Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis) and Environmental Parameters in Paddy Fields

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Water 2022, 14(12), 1941; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14121941 - 16 Jun 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1578

Abstract

Rice–crab co-culture systems represent integrated agriculture–aquaculture systems developed in China over the last 30 years. The rice–crab co-culture area comprised approximately 1.386 × 10⁵ hm² in 2019. However, there is no specific feed designed for Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) cultured in this system until now. In this study, we investigated feed formulae for the nutritional requirements of Chinese mitten crab in this mode. The control group was not fed with any artificial feed (Co), and the experimental groups were fed with three different feeds of 15% (T15), 30% (T30), or 45% (T45) protein content, respectively. Growth performance variations in E. sinensis were investigated along with water quality, phytoplankton, zooplankton, aquatic vascular plants, and benthic animals in the paddy fields to determine the effect of crabs and their diet on the paddy ecosystem. Dietary protein levels had no significant effect on water quality. The biomass and species of phytoplankton, zooplankton, aquatic vascular plants, and zoobenthos in the paddy field were affected by crabs and their diet. Morphological parameters of crabs were significantly more pronounced in the high-protein group than in the other groups. However, the T45 diet negatively affected production by increasing feed costs, causing precocious puberty and inducing water eutrophication. In conclusion, adding a 15% protein compound feed can meet the nutritional needs of crabs, reduce culture costs, and improve water quality. The discharged water had low ammonia nitrogen and nitrite content and no eutrophication occurred, so the water could be recycled. These findings provide a scientific reference for supporting rice and fish co-cultivation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Aquaculture Ecology Research)

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16 pages, 3270 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Different Carbon Sources on the Production Environment and Breeding Parameters of Litopenaeus vannamei

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Water 2021, 13(24), 3584; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13243584 - 14 Dec 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2356

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of different carbon sources on water quality, ammonia removal pathways, the bacterial community, and the production of Litopenaeus vannamei in outdoor culture tanks. Three systems were established: a clear water system (CW) and biofloc technology (BFT) systems with added molasses (M-BF) or poly (3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-3-hydrovaleric acid) (PHBV) (P-BF). The average pH, total alkalinity, total organic carbon, biofloc volume, chlorophyll a, nitrite, nitrate, total nitrogen, and nitrification rate were significantly different among the treatments. Microbial composition varied and different dominant taxa were identified in the treatments by linear discriminant analysis effect size. Redundancy analysis indicated that the water quality parameters affected the distribution of the microbial community. Moreover, the genus Leucothrix was closely related to the M-BF treatment. Chemoheterotrophy and aerobic chemoheterotrophy were the most abundant functions in all treatments. A comparison of functions using BugBase indicated that the relative abundance of several functions such as biofilm formation, stress tolerance and functions related to anaerobic processes increased in the M-BF treatment. The specific growth rate, growth rate, and survival rate of shrimp were significantly higher in the P-BF system than in the CW system and the feed conversion ratio in the BFT treatments was significantly lower than that in the CW system. Overall, adding carbon sources affected water quality, microbial community, and shrimp performance. The results show that PHBV is a good alternative to carbon sources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Aquaculture Ecology Research)

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13 pages, 928 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Desiccation, Water Velocity, and Nitrogen Limitation on the Growth and Nutrient Removal of Neoporphyra haitanensis and Neoporphyra dentata (Bangiales, Rhodophyta)

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Water 2021, 13(19), 2745; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13192745 - 02 Oct 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1744

Abstract

Seaweeds have been verified to effectively reduce the nutrients of aquaculture wastewater, and to increase the economic output when commercially valuable species are utilized. Pyropia/Porphyra/Neopyropia/Neoporphyra species are important seafood resources globally, and their growth and bioremediation capacities are affected by diverse biotic and abiotic stressors. In this study, we investigated the effects of desiccation (0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 h of air exposure), water velocity (0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 m s⁻¹), and the nitrogen limitation period (1, 2, and 3 d) on the relative growth rates (RGR) and nutrient removal rates of Neoporphyrahaitanensis and Neoporphyradentata. The RGRs and NO₃-N removal rates of the two species decreased significantly with increasing desiccation periods. A higher water velocity of 0.5 m s⁻¹ had a greater negative impact on the RGRs and NO₃-N and PO₄-P removal rates than 0.1 and 0.2 m s⁻¹. N. haitanensis exhibited a greater tolerance to water motion than N. dentata. Additionally, the RGRs and NO₃-N and PO₄-P removal rates were significantly different among the nitrogen limitation periods. N. haitanensis and N. dentata exhibited different nitrogen usage strategies after nitrogen limitation and recovery. These results provide valuable information relating to the excessive nutrient removal from aquaculture wastewater by Neoporphyra species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Aquaculture Ecology Research)

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Review

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11 pages, 2032 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Advances in Ecology Research on Integrated Rice Field Aquaculture in China

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Water 2022, 14(15), 2333; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14152333 - 28 Jul 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1619

Abstract

Integrated rice field aquaculture, a practice normally used by rural small-scale farmers, is not only supporting farms and livelihoods but is also reducing poverty and is playing a more and more important role in China. It is also becoming one of the main freshwater aquaculture systems, in addition to ponds, lakes, reservoirs, streams, and other aquaculture systems. During the past 40 years, both the production and areas of integrated rice field aquaculture in China have significantly increased from 0.13 million t and 0.74 million ha in 1990 to 3.25 million t and 2.56 million ha in 2020, respectively. Advances in ecology research on integrated rice–fish aquaculture were one of the main contributors to this achievement. In this paper, we systematically reviewed the advances in ecology research on three major integrated rice field aquaculture systems in China, namely rice–fish, rice–crab, and rice–crayfish coculture systems, the contribution of the research, and future prospects. We found that progress in ecology research on theories, biological studies, models, and eco-engineering techniques, coupled with policy support promoted the development of the rice field aquaculture industries. This review could assist individual small-scale farmers to make better use of rice field space to produce safer aquatic and rice products at a lower cost and help aquaculture scientists to further study the ecology of integrated rice field aquaculture systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Aquaculture Ecology Research)

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