Shoreline development and degradation of coastal fish reproduction habitats

Abstract

Coastal development has severely affected habitats and biodiversity during the last century, but quantitative estimates of the impacts are usually lacking. We utilize predictive habitat modeling and mapping of human pressures to estimate the cumulative long-term effects of coastal development in relation to fish habitats. Based on aerial photographs since the 1960s, shoreline development rates were estimated in the Stockholm archipelago in the Baltic Sea. By combining shoreline development rates with spatial predictions of fish reproduction habitats, we estimated annual habitat degradation rates for three of the most common coastal fish species, northern pike (Esox lucius), Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) and roach (Rutilus rutilus). The results showed that shoreline constructions were concentrated to the reproduction habitats of these species. The estimated degradation rates, where a degraded habitat was defined as having C3 constructions per 100 m shoreline, were on average 0.5 % of available habitats per year and about 1 % in areas close to larger population centers. Approximately 40 % of available habitats were already degraded in 2005. These results provide an example of how many small construction projects over time may have a vast impact on coastal fish populations.

What is the impact on fish recruitment of anthropogenic physical and structural habitat change in shallow nearshore areas in temperate systems? A systematic review protocol

“…For example, continuous declines in density and abundance of coastal top predatory fish like pike (Esox lucius) and Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) have been observed since the mid-1990s in parts of the Baltic Sea [23,24]. Correspondingly, along parts of the coast as much as 40 % of the available reproductive areas were considered degraded or lost by 2005 [3]. Relationships between the size of adult fish populations and the availability and quality of recruitment habitats, along with the multitude of pressures that shorelines face, highlight the need for better understanding of how various human activities along coasts may affect fish recruitment [23,25,26].…”

“…Human activities in shallow sheltered bays and estuaries include dredging, development of ports and marinas, wind farm constructions and boating, and they can all affect the availability of pristine nursery and recruitment areas [3][4][5]. Although several shallow nearshore areas such as bays, estuaries and wetlands have been degraded or lost [6], exact quantitative estimates of the effects on species distributions and abundances are often lacking [3,7,8].…”

The influence of habitat on the spatio-temporal dynamics of fish assemblages in a lagoon-estuarine system of the Mexican Pacific

“…The rapid degradation and loss of coastal ecosystems in recent decades has increased interest in fish research and their habitat in estuarine environments (França et al, 2012;Sundblad & Bergström, 2014). The knowledge of geomorphic habitats and their effect on fish assemblages constitutes an important baseline for the development of monitoring programs and integrate ecosystem-based management of coastal resources (Pérez-Ruzafa et al, 2007;Franco et al, 2009;Sheaves et al, 2012).…”

Utility of Nd isotope ratio as a tracer of marine animals: regional variation in coastal seas and causal factors

“…Coastal areas are important reproductive habitats for marine animals as well as being the most heavily exploited part of the ocean (e.g., Sundblad et al 2011, Sundblad andBergstr€ om 2014). Coastal areas are important reproductive habitats for marine animals as well as being the most heavily exploited part of the ocean (e.g., Sundblad et al 2011, Sundblad andBergstr€ om 2014).…”

“…Tracing the migrations of free-ranging marine animals in coastal areas has been a challenge for ecologists, despite the importance of migration patterns for conservation and stock management of fishery resources. Coastal areas are important reproductive habitats for marine animals as well as being the most heavily exploited part of the ocean (e.g., Sundblad et al 2011, Sundblad andBergstr€ om 2014). Therefore, understanding how marine organisms use the nearshore area is important for management of marine resources.…”