Ecology and Management of Crayfish
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: 20 May 2026 | Viewed by 3
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Crayfish, as macroinvertebrates found in freshwater and semi-terrestrial habitats, serve as keystone species and ecosystem engineers. Their distribution reflects differences in movement capacity, ecological requirements, and evolutionary history, among others. Due to narrow environmental requirements, some species exhibit strong endemism, while others, with higher plasticity, become invasive.
This Special Issue aims to advance both ecological understanding and applied management strategies for crayfish. The growing concerns about the environmental and economic costs of invasive species make these issues increasingly studied.
We invite submissions, as reviews and research articles, that explore habitat and environmental requirements, trophic roles, population ecology and dynamics, spatial ecology (individuals' movement patterns, fragmentation, habitat suitability), and disease ecology, focusing on the role of diverse pathogens and host immunity in shaping population dynamics, invasion success, and interactions with native species.
From a species management perspective, we welcome contributions addressing conservation strategies aimed at protecting rare and endangered species. These include tools and protocols for monitoring, restoring habitats, translocation, breeding, and reintroduction efforts. Focus on invasive species is also encouraged, especially studies that deal with early detection methods, integrated control, and involvement of stakeholders and communities to mitigate the impacts of invasions. Finally, studies on sustainable aquaculture practices that support production while also protecting ecosystem health and lowering disease risks are sought.
This issue provides a platform for interdisciplinary research that links field studies, laboratory work, modeling, and policy applications.
Dr. Mihaela C. Ion
Guest Editor
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
- anthropogenic disturbance
- aquaculture
- endangered species
- environmental DNA
- eradication
- hydrological fragmentation
- invasive species
- monitoring
- risk assessment
- trophic niche
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