Assessing fish metrics and biotic indices in a Mediterranean stream: effects of uncertain native status of fish

Benejam, Lluís; Aparicio, Enric; Vargas, Maria Josep; Vila‐Gispert, Anna; García‐Berthou, Emili

doi:10.1007/s10750-007-9272-1

Cited by 55 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…The usefulness of PCA was assessed using Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin's measure of sampling adequacy. KMO ranges from 0 to 1, and should be well above 0.5 if variables are very interdependent (Benejam et al, 2008). Variables were normalized, and the PCA was performed using the princomp function of the package stats of the program 'R' (R Development Core Team, 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metal (Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) concentration patterns in components of a macrophyte-based coastal lagoon ecosystem

2009

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Information on the metal biological fate in macrophyte-based coastal lagoons is provided; this information can contribute to the assessment of the environmental effects of metal pollution and to the development of predictive models for rational management of coastal lagoons. Iron, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd concentrations in the dominant invertebrate and fish species of Monolimni Lagoon, Mediterranean Sea, as well as in potential major sources for metal accumulation in these animals (water, sediments, angiosperms, seaweeds), were measured. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was conducted using metal concentrations in invertebrates and fishes. All five metal concentrations loaded significantly on the first PCA axis; however, Zn and Cu loadings were less significant than Cd and even less than Fe and Pb ones. The samples of deposit-feeding invertebrates were separated from those of the rest of the organisms (browsing, herbivorous and carnivorous invertebrates, carnivorous gobies and muscle tissues of detritivorous mullets) along the first PCA axis. Deposit-feeding invertebrates displayed the highest Fe and Pb contents, and in general, the highest or comparatively high Cd, Zn and Cu ones. Carnivorous gobies showed comparatively high Zn contents and carnivorous shrimps the highest Cu ones, while muscle tissues of detritivorous mullets had low metal loads. In addition, there was no essential increase in metal concentrations corresponding to the increasing trophic level (autotrophs, to herbivores, to carnivores). Our findings suggest that (a) the variability in Fe, Pb and Cd contents in invertebrates and gobies depends at least to some extent on interspecific differences in feeding habits-deposit feeders accumulated the highest metal amounts probably due to high rates of uptake from sediments, (b) the variability in Zn and Cu concentrations in these organisms depends also on other interspecific differences apart from those in feeding habits, (c) metal accumulation in mullet muscle tissues does not depend markedly on feeding habits and (d) the trophic transfer of macrophyte-bound metals to the coastal lagoon food web is of relatively minor importance.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metal (Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) concentration patterns in components of a macrophyte-based coastal lagoon ecosystem

2009

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“…However, it is not known what interactions occur between the native reptiles and alien species, because previous studies have focused only on the effects of alien species on native fish communities (Benejam et al 2008;Clavero and Hermoso 2011). It is likely that native reptiles and alien species interact negatively, because they compete for similar prey (small fish, amphibians and macro-invertebrates; Doadrio 2001) and some alien fishes could be predators of the reptiles (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patterns of occurrence of semi-aquatic reptiles in highly invaded Mediterranean rivers

Escoriza¹

2018

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The fluvial systems in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula are highly disturbed habitats, with widespread occurrence of alien species. Previous studies have shown that alien species have a major impact on native freshwater fauna, but it is not known what effect they have on semi-aquatic reptiles. Here the author investigated the factors that influence the occurrence of three species of semi-aquatic reptiles, one turtle (Mauremys leprosa) and two snakes (Natrix astreptophora and Natrix maura), at 261 sites in seven rivers/streams in Girona (north-eastern Spain). The studied semi-aquatic reptiles are habitat generalists which can occupy sections of rivers with altered regimes. The relationships of reptile presence to abiotic niche parameters and the presence of alien species were evaluated, as well as the patterns of pairwise co-occurrence between the reptiles. The presence of alien species did impact one out of three reptiles in this community. The association between both species of natricines was weakly negative, suggesting that interspecific competition does not structure their co-occurrences. The removal of alien species is the most appropriate strategy to preserve the complete diversity of native semi-aquatic reptiles.

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“…1 The five principal factors, with some of their important chemical, physical and biological components that influence and determine the integrity of water resources. From [1] Catalonia, we studied this situation and recommend that this low richness could be compensated assessing metrics based on age or size structure, fish individual state or including other aquatic biota [21]. For instance, there are IBIs that combine fish metrics with benthic invertebrates [22] and both adults and tadpoles of amphibians [17].…”

Section: Challenges and Difficulties In Mediterranean Streamsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fish as Ecological Indicators in Mediterranean Streams: The Catalan Experience

Benejam

Ordeix

Casals

et al. 2015

The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry

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The Water Framework Directive includes fish fauna as one of the biological elements, jointly with aquatic flora and benthic invertebrates, to assess and monitor water and habitat quality. Successful implementation of the Directive depends in part on the development of reliable, science-based tools to directly assess biological conditions. Although fish have been used as ecological indicators for more than 30 years around the world, mainly in North America and more recently in Europe, few studies have been done in Mediterranean streams. of endemisms with a wide range of tolerance to environmental variations and many exotic species. This chapter summarizes our experience in developing fish-based tools in Catalonia. We discuss the challenges and difficulties to develop these approaches in Mediterranean streams. We show the IBICAT2010 as a fish-based assessment method suitable for the evaluation of the ecological status of Catalan rivers. Moreover, we assess size-related variables as a bioassessment tool because population size structure can provide insights into species-specific applications and management. Finally, we analyse the longitudinal connectivity throughout Catalan rivers and fish passes by using the index of river connectivity (ICF) specially designed to Catalan rivers.

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Assessing fish metrics and biotic indices in a Mediterranean stream: effects of uncertain native status of fish

Cited by 55 publications

References 35 publications

Metal (Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) concentration patterns in components of a macrophyte-based coastal lagoon ecosystem

Metal (Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) concentration patterns in components of a macrophyte-based coastal lagoon ecosystem

Patterns of occurrence of semi-aquatic reptiles in highly invaded Mediterranean rivers

Fish as Ecological Indicators in Mediterranean Streams: The Catalan Experience

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