The diets and parasites of larval and 0+ juvenile twaite shad in the lower reaches and estuaries of the rivers Wye,Usk and Towy,UK

Aquatic predators and habitat permanence can jointly affect benthic invertebrate biomass and community composition. In 2006 I sampled fish and invertebrates in ten ponds embedded in a seasonal wetland before and after a natural drought. Drought reduced fish biomass and density leaving some ponds in a fishless condition when rains returned in July. In July, large aquatic insects and crayfish colonized and reproduced in the ponds, but did not colonize all of the ponds equally. Using measurements of fish abundance and other environmental parameters of the ponds, I conducted linear regression analyses to explore potential drivers of variable invertebrate biomass in July. Fish biomass had a negative effect on invertebrate biomass and it explained more of the variation in total invertebrate biomass and total non-shrimp biomass than fish abundance (number of fish caught). Dissolved oxygen and pond depth were both correlated with fish biomass, but were poorer predictors of invertebrate biomass. Ponds with few or no fish had 20× greater total biomass and 200× more non-shrimp biomass than ponds with high fish biomass. Shrimp dominated the invertebrate composition, and were only found in the two deepest ponds with the highest fish biomass; predatory insects and crayfish dominated the other eight ponds. When taxa were analyzed separately, fish biomass explained a large portion of the variation for predatory insects (Coleoptera, Hemiptera, and Odonata) and crayfish (Procambarus alleni), but dissolved oxygen was the best predictor of larval stratiomyid (order Diptera) biomass. These results are generally consistent with studies demonstrating negative effects of fish on large predatory invertebrates, but also suggest that more severe local droughts can seasonally enhance insect and crayfish populations by generating fishless or nearly fishless conditions. Handling editor: J. Trexler     

Crustacean zooplankton community structure in temporary and permanent grassland ponds

Lentic community structure varies across a size gradient of ponds and lakes with physical factors, such as pond drying, and biotic factors, such as fish predation, determining the species assemblage. We studied the effects of pond drying and fish absence on crustacean zooplankton across a gradient of pond sizes in a Texas grassland. We determined the species compositions and size distributions of crustacean zooplankton in 20 temporary and 18 permanent ponds in April after March rains had refilled the ponds. The surface areas of temporary and permanent ponds ranged from <0.01 to 0.21 ha and 0.04 to 13.8 ha, respectively, and temporary ponds were significantly smaller, on average, than permanent ponds. Fish were absent from all temporary ponds and present in all permanent ponds. We detected a difference in the zooplankton species assemblages of the temporary and permanent ponds. Out of 14 total zooplankton taxa that occurred in eight or more ponds, seven taxa were significantly more prevalent in temporary ponds and four taxa were significantly more prevalent in permanent ponds. The sizes of zooplankton in the temporary fishless ponds were greater than those in the permanent ponds with fish present. We concluded that pond size mediated susceptibility to pond drying, and pond drying determined the presence and absence of fish and their secondary trophic-level effect on zooplankton community structure. Handling editor: Steven Declerck     

The loss of submerged plants with eutrophication II. Relationships between fish and zooplankton in a set of experimental ponds, and conclusions

SUMMARY. 1. In 1982 and 1983 sets of experimental ponds were left with their submerged plant communities intact (plant ponds) or were cleared manually of them (cleared ponds). The ponds were all fertilized with ammonium nitrate and with variable amounts of phosphate. In 1982 fish were removed from the ponds. Zooplankton communities were dominated by large Cladocera with Daphnia prominent in the cleared ponds and Simocephalus in the plant ponds. There was no detectable effect of differential phosphorus additions on zooplankton communities or populations.
2. In 1983 zooplanktivorous fish (mainly roach) were stocked in the ponds. In the plant ponds the fish did not survive, probably through severe deoxygenation and the zooplankton community again included large-bodied Simocephalus. Fish survival was variable in the cleared ponds. Where fish stocks were absent or low (0.5–1 g m⁻²) a Daphnia- dominated community persisted; at intermediate fish stocks (18.1 g m⁻²) Eudiaptomus gracilis was predominant and where fish stock was high (22.8–29.1 g m⁻²) Bosmina longirostris , and cyclopoid copepods dominated the communities. Mean biomass of the zooplankton community declined with increase in fish stock to between 5.1 and 18.1 g m⁻² then increased.
3. On the basis of results from the experimental ponds and elsewhere, a new hypothesis is put forward to account for the switch from aquatic plant to phytoplankton dominance in eutrophicated shallow lakes. It envisages dominance by either group to be possible as alternative states over a wide range of high nutrient loadings. It suggests that each state is buffered against increased loading by mechanisms involving plant and algal physiology and zooplankton grazer populations. The nature of the buffers and the reasons by which one state may be switched to the other are, discussed.     

Predation by the desert pupfish,Cyprinodon macularius onCulex mosquitoes and benthic chironomid midges

Predation ofCulex mosquitoes and chironomid midges was demonstrated byCyprinodon macularius Baird & Girard in two types of shallow ponds. In large ponds (5.5×2.6 m) with fish, all mosquito breeding ceased 4 weeks after introduction ofC. macularius. A significant, density-dependent reduction of several chironomid biotypes was sustained, although an increase was evident for other chironomid biotypes. Fish biomass increased 2.43 fold in 76 days in m² ponds and 23.22 fold in 70 days in larger ponds. Behavioral studies showedC. macularius capable of feeding effectively on mosquitoes in floating algal mats. The desert pupfish deserves serious attention in the biological-integrated control of medically important aquatic arthropods, and may possess attributes making it a preferred, ecologically adapted substitute forGambusia affinis (Baird & Girard) in certain habitats.     

Relationship between Snail Population Density and Infection Status of Snails and Fish with Zoonotic Trematodes in Vietnamese Carp Nurseries

Background

Fish-borne zoonotic trematodes (FZT) are a food safety and health concern in Vietnam. Humans and other final hosts acquire these parasites from eating raw or under-cooked fish with FZT metacercariae. Fish raised in ponds are exposed to cercariae shed by snail hosts that are common in fish farm ponds. Previous risk assessment on FZT transmission in the Red River Delta of Vietnam identified carp nursery ponds as major sites of transmission. In this study, we analyzed the association between snail population density and heterophyid trematode infection in snails with the rate of FZT transmission to juvenile fish raised in carp nurseries.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Snail population density and prevalence of trematode (Heterophyidae) infections were determined in 48 carp nurseries producing Rohu juveniles, (Labeo rohita) in the Red River Delta area. Fish samples were examined at 3, 6 and 9 weeks after the juvenile fish were introduced into the ponds. There was a significant positive correlation between prevalence of FZT metacercariae in juvenile fish and density of infected snails. Thus, the odds of infection in juvenile fish were 4.36 and 11.32 times higher for ponds with medium and high density of snails, respectively, compared to ponds where no infected snails were found. Further, the intensity of fish FZT infections increased with the density of infected snails. Interestingly, however, some ponds with no or few infected snails were collected also had high prevalence and intensity of FZT in juvenile fish. This may be due to immigration of cercariae into the pond from external water sources.

Conclusions/Significance

The total number and density of potential host snails and density of host snails infected with heterophyid trematodes in the aquaculture pond is a useful predictor for infections in juvenile fish, although infection levels in juvenile fish can occur despite low density or absence infected snails. This suggests that intervention programs to control FZT infection of fish should include not only intra-pond snail control, but also include water sources of allochthonous cercariae, i.e. canals supplying water to ponds as well as snail habitats outside the pond such as rice fields and surrounding ponds.     

Stabilizing the clear-water state in eutrophic ponds after biomanipulation: submerged vegetation versus fish recolonization

Biomanipulation through fish removal is a tool commonly used to restore a clear-water state in lakes. Biomanipulation of ponds is, however, less well documented, although their importance for biodiversity conservation and public amenities is undisputed. In ponds, a more complete fish removal can be carried out as compared to lakes and therefore a stronger response is expected. Fish recolonization can, however, potentially compromise the longer term success of biomanipulation. Therefore, we investigated the impact of fish recolonization on zooplankton, phytoplankton, and nutrients for several years after complete drawdown and fish removal in function of submerged vegetation cover in 12 peri-urban eutrophic ponds situated in Brussels (Belgium). Fish recolonization after biomanipulation had a considerable impact on zooplankton grazers, reducing their size and density substantially, independent of the extent of submerged vegetation cover. Only ponds with <30% cover of submerged vegetation shifted back to a turbid state after fish recolonization, coinciding with an increase in density of small cladocerans, rotifers, and cyclopoid copepods. In ponds with >30% submerged vegetation cover, macrophytes prevented an increase in phytoplankton growth despite the disappearance of large zooplankton grazers. Our results suggest that macrophytes, rather than by providing a refuge for zooplankton grazers, control phytoplankton through other associated mechanisms and confirm that the recovery of submerged macrophytes is essential for biomanipulation success. Although the longer term effect of biomanipulation is disputable, increased ecological quality could be maintained for several years, which is particularly interesting in an urban area where nutrient loading reduction is often not feasible.     

Generalists as sequential specialists: diets and prey switching in juvenile silver perch

Diets of silver perch, Bidyanus bidyanus, in organically fertilised aquaculture ponds were dominated by chironomid larvae, Daphnia and calanoid copepods. Insects and crustaceans contributed approximately 80% and 20% by weight to the diet respectively. Classification of the stomach contents of individual fish revealed 8 diet groups, 4 of which were dominated by planktonic crustaceans and 4 by insects. Each diet group was strongly dominated by a different prey type. Fish from the same sample tended to belong to the same diet group and there was a non-random distribution of diet groups across ponds. Perch diets were influenced by the method of pond fertilisation (livestock effluent or pellet feed). Shifts in the representation of groups indicated that fish switched from one diet group to another over a 2–4 week period. The selection of planktonic prey by perch was related to prey densities in the ponds. Fish preferred Daphnia when these prey were common, but switched to calanoids and insects when Daphnia were scarce. A perfect rank correlation between the mean body size of planktonic prey and their contribution to the diet suggested that prey choice involved comparative decisions based on prey size. These findings indicate that, while classified as dietary generalists, silver perch exhibit consumption patterns which at the individual level are highly specialised at any given time. These patterns can be predicted, given information on prey densities in the environment.     

The effects of an abandoned roast yard on the fish and macroinvertebrate communities of surrounding beaver ponds

Recently formed beaver-ponds surrounding an abandoned copper-nickel ore roast yard near Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, were influenced by highly acidic and heavy-metal contaminated effluent. Fish, including Culaea inconstans, Phoxinus neogaeus, Phoxinus eos, and Pimephales promelas, were found in the ponds upstream of the roast yard only. Macroinvertebrate taxon richness and diversity were greater in the upstream ponds than in the downstream ponds. Acid intolerant taxa, including Mollusca and Hyalella azteca, were found upstream only; acid tolerant taxa, including Enallagma and Ischnura (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) were found in the downstream ponds. One taxon, a species of Chironomus, was especially tolerant of both acid and metal stresses, and was the only invertebrate taxon found in the pond located directly on the roast yard itself. We conclude that long-abandoned mining and refining sites can continue to have a marked effect on aquatic communities.     

Evidence for local adaptation in neighbouring Daphnia populations: a laboratory transplant experiment

1. We tested whether two neighbouring Daphnia galeata populations (from Lake Blankaart and Fish Pond), separated only by 5 m of land and with the occasional exchange of water were genetically differentiated in allozyme markers and life history traits. Allozyme electrophoresis revealed that the populations differed in allelic as well as in genotypic composition. 2. In a laboratory transplant experiment, in which animals of four clones of each of the populations were raised in the water of both ponds, survival in Blankaart water was high for both the Blankaart and Fish Pond clones, whereas survival in Fish Pond water was high for the Fish Pond clones, but low for the Blankaart clones. 3. Fish Pond clones produced fewer neonates than Blankaart clones when cultured in Blankaart water. High egg mortality was observed for animals that were raised in Blankaart water, and this egg mortality was higher for Fish Pond clones than for Blankaart clones. 4. Our results provide evidence for genetic differentiation between Daphnia populations inhabiting neighbouring water bodies and suggest local adaptation to environmental conditions other than direct predation.     

The effect of fish and aquatic habitat complexity on amphibians

Fish introductions are considered one of the most widespread anthropogenic threats to aquatic ecosystems. Their negative impact on native amphibian communities has received increasing attention in recent years. We investigated the relationship between the introduced fish, emergent vegetation cover and native amphibians in man-made ponds generated by regulation and dam building along the Tarnava Mare Valley (Romania) during the last 40 years. We inventoried amphibians and fish inhabiting 85 permanent ponds and estimated habitat complexity focusing on emergent vegetation cover. Four amphibian species were found to be negatively associated with the presence of predatory fish. Species richness of ponds without fish and ponds without predatory fish did not differ significantly, whereas ponds containing only predatory fish had significantly lower amphibian richness. A significant positive relationship was found between the emergent vegetation cover and pond occupancy of six amphibian species and amphibian species richness. As a management recommendation, we suggest the restriction of fish introductions to non predatory fish and the maintenance of high emergent vegetation cover in the ponds. Handling editor: S. Declerck     

Use of an algal consortium of five algae in the treatment of landfill leachate using the high-rate algal pond system

Five species of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus quadricauda, Euglena gracilis, Ankistrodesmus convolutus and Chlorococcum oviforme, were screened for their ability to grow in treated landfill leachate (TL) using shake flask cultures. The treated leachate had undergone previous treatment through mechanical aeration in treatment ponds at the landfill site. The five algae, except for C. oviforme, were able to grow in medium containing up to 50% TL. Two high-rate algal ponds (HRAP) equipped with paddlewheel were used for the semi-continuous cultures. A mixture of the five algae was used to inoculate one of two HRAPs for secondary treatment of TL. The other HRAP was filled with natural lake water containing mixed populations of algae. A volume of 400?mL (1%) from both ponds were removed daily and replaced with TL. The leachate loading rate was increased to 2% (0.8?L?day^?1) on day?197 and then to 4% (1.6?L?day^?1) on day?309, providing hydraulic retention time of 100, 50 and 25?days, respectively. Although higher biomass was obtained in the HRAP containing the consortium of five algae, there was no significant difference in reduction of pollutants between the two ponds. The HRAPs produced algal biomass ranging from 2.00 to 5.54?g dry weight?L^?1 with significant reduction in chemical oxygen demand (91.0%), ammoniacal nitrogen (99.9%) and orthophosphate (86.0%) contents. The HRAP offers a potential treatment system for TL which is simple, low cost, flexible in use and requiring low maintenance.     

The feeding activity of Colossoma macropomum larvae (tambaqui) in fishponds with water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) fertilizer.

Analysis of macrophyte water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) as an organic fertilizer of Colossoma macropomum (tambaqui) larvae in ponds is provided. Water hyacinth produce an organic fertilizer at the ratio of 100 g x m(-2) in tambaqui ponds. Two groups of 5,000 larvae were transferred to two fishponds with and without water hyacinth fertilizer and reared until day 43. The fertilized pond evidenced more plankton abundance during the entire production period when compared with the control pond (P < 0.001). The phytoplankton community in the pond was not significantly different than in gut contents (P > 0.05) in both ponds (with and without organic fertilizer). Fish larvae failed to show any preference or selectivity in relation to the different algae (P > 0.01) in the pond, but exhibited high ingestion selectivity for zooplankton (P < 0.05). Application of fertilizer increased (P < 0.05) the abundance of phytoplankton and zooplankton in the treatment pond. Since water hyacinth fertilizer is quite cheap and easily available, it may be conveniently used to enhance fish yield in ponds.     

Epidemic and Endemic Malaria Transmission Related to Fish Farming Ponds in the Amazon Frontier

Fish farming in the Amazon has been stimulated as a solution to increase economic development. However, poorly managed fish ponds have been sometimes associated with the presence of Anopheles spp. and consequently, with malaria transmission. In this study, we analyzed the spatial and temporal dynamics of malaria in the state of Acre (and more closely within a single county) to investigate the potential links between aquaculture and malaria transmission in this region. At the state level, we classified the 22 counties into three malaria endemicity patterns, based on the correlation between notification time series. Furthermore, the study period (2003–2013) was divided into two phases (epidemic and post-epidemic). Higher fish pond construction coincided both spatially and temporally with increased rate of malaria notification. Within one malaria endemic county, we investigated the relationship between the geolocation of malaria cases (2011–2012) and their distance to fish ponds. Entomological surveys carried out in these ponds provided measurements of anopheline abundance that were significantly associated with the abundance of malaria cases within 100 m of the ponds (P < 0.005; r = 0.39). These results taken together suggest that fish farming contributes to the maintenance of high transmission levels of malaria in this region.     

Feeding behavior of black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus (Pisces: Cyprinidae) on fry of other fish species and trematode transmitting snail species

Fish raised in aquaculture ponds may get infected with fishborne zoonotic trematodes (FZT) during the nursing stage. Freshwater snails serve as intermediate hosts for FZT and we wanted to explore the possibility of controlling snails by stocking nursery ponds with a few juvenile specimens of the mollusc-eating fish, black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus). Obviously, the risk that black carp might also prey on the juvenile fishes in nursery ponds should first be assessed. Laboratory trials showed that all size classes of juvenile black carp consumed fry of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) even when offered snails as food; the odds of survival of fry from tanks with medium sized and large black carp was 5.6% and 39.9%, respectively of that of fry in tanks with small sized black carp. Since the large black carp also consumed fewer snails than medium sized fish, we believe that large specimens were stressed in the experimental aquaria. Under semi-field conditions, presence of the black carp had no effect on survival of fry of Oreochromis niloticus and C. carpio both in the absence and presence of snails as alternative food. The black carp consumed most snails offered with the exception of some of the large snails. We conclude that under field conditions, predation by black carp on fish fry is minimal and field trials in nursery ponds are warranted. Due to the risks that black carp pose to native imperiled snails and other molluscs, trials should be restricted to ponds within the fish’s native or existing range.     

Fish assemblages in temporary ponds adjacent to 'terra-firme' streams in Central Amazonia

1. The effect of habitat structural features and physicochemical characteristics of the water on the composition and richness of fish assemblages in temporary ponds near streams were examined at three spatial scales: among ponds, among streams and between drainage basins, in a ‘terra‐firme’ (not subject to long‐term flooding) forest reserve in Central Amazonia. 2. The fish assemblage in temporary ponds was composed of subsets of 18 small‐bodied species widely distributed in the reserve. The assemblages had a nested subset structure, where smaller ponds contained subgroups of the species found in larger ponds. 3. Species composition and richness in temporary ponds were similar between drainage basins, although the fish assemblages in streams differed between basins. 4. Fish assemblage structure was influenced by local factors related to habitat structure, such as pond area and depth, canopy cover and hydroperiod. Physicochemical characteristics of the water in the ponds were similar between drainage basins and had little detectable effect on the structure of pond fish assemblages. 5. No correspondence was found between the composition, richness or abundance of fishes in the ponds and in stretches of the streams adjacent to the ponds. Therefore, it is not possible to predict the composition of these temporary pond fish assemblages from the fish assemblages found in adjacent streams.     

Migratory movements of pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus, in the highly impounded Paraná River

A mark‐recapture study was conducted in 1997–2005 to investigate movements of stocked pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus, in the Paraná River Basin of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. Fish raised in cages within the Itaipu Reservoir and in ponds were tagged externally (n = 2976) and released in the Itaipu Reservoir (53.2%) and bays of its major tributaries (46.8%). In total, 367 fish (12.3%) were recaptured. In all, 91% of the pacu moved away from the release site; upstream movements were more extensive than downstream movements. Pacu traveled upstream a maximum of 422 km (average of 41.3 km) at a maximum rate of 26.4 km day⁻¹ (av. 0.8). Downstream movements were limited in terms of number of individuals and distance moved. Fish released during the wet season moved farther than those released during the dry season, and feeding rather than spawning might have been the compelling reason for movement. Although fish passed downstream through dams, none of the marked fish were detected to have moved upstream through the passage facilities. Pacu showed movement patterns not radically different from those of other neotropical migratory species, but their migratory movements may not be as extensive as those of other large migratory species in the basin.     

Analysis of the biomass quality and photosynthetic efficiency of a nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium grown outdoors with two agitation systems

The efficiency of two different agitation systems (airlift and paddlewheel) in the biomass photoproduction of a nitrogen-fixing filamentous blue-green alga was evaluated outdoors, and the elemental and molecular composition of the cells grown with each system was analyzed. With the paddlewheel system, the productivity values achieved were over 30% higher than with the airlift system, both in summer and winter. In this last season, a conversion efficiency of total solar energy into stored biomass energy of 3.3% was estimated for the paddlewheel system. Moreover, the algal cells grown with this system exhibited a higher net protein (58.9% of dry weight) and nitrogen (11.3%) content than those grown with the airlift device, with an estimated nitrogen fixation rate of more than 2 g N m(-2) day(-1). These advantages of the paddlewheel system make this procedure more appropriate for the large-scale photoproduction of nitrogen-fixing blue-green algae outdoors.     

The application of the Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives (ZERI) concept in an integrated industry-polyculture-farm system in Namibia: The case of Tunweni Sorghum Brewery

One major area dealt with by the concept of Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives (ZERI) is the utilisation of huge volumes of nutrient-rich waters from household toilets, kitchen sinks and municipal and organo-industries for integrated purposes. The arrangements at the Tunweni Sorghum Brewery, Tsumeb, Namibia are such that wastewater is utilised in the polyculture of locally available riverine fish species in large (3 000m²; 120m long × 25m wide), deep (3m) earthen ponds. Before reaching the fishponds the wastewater passes through a series of bio-system processes such as mushroom and earthworm beds, a pig sty, anaerobic and aerobic digesters and algae ponds. A pH of about 8.0 is desirable for maximum fish production in the large (9 000m³) fishponds. The old Chinese technique is followed whereby wastewater is utilised for growing fish without adding any feed supplement; various plankton and invertebrates produced naturally serve as feeds for various kinds of fish feeding at different trophic levels. A variety of locally-available riverine fish species, of different trophic levels, are useful for sustainable stocking in the ponds where no feed-supplement is necessary. Various plankton and invertebrates are produced naturally as feeds for the various kinds of fish feeding at different trophic levels, obviating the purchase of costly artificial feeds which can make fish culture uneconomical. Fish wastes are naturally mineralised into nutrients in the ponds and the nutrient-rich water supports phytoplankton, zooplankton and invertebrates, all of which comprise a varied food chain supporting the fish growth.     

The role of solid waste materials as habitats for macroinvertebrates in a lowland dam reservoir

Eight hypereutrophic phytoplankton dominated ponds from the Brussels Capital Region (Belgium) were biomanipulated (emptied with fish removal) to restore their ecological quality and reduce the risk of cyanobacterial bloom formation. Continuous monitoring of the ponds before and after the biomanipulation allowed the effects of the management intervention on different compartments of pond ecosystems (phytoplankton, zooplankton, submerged vegetation and nutrients) to be assessed. Fish removal resulted in a drastic reduction in phytoplankton biomass and a shift to the clear-water state in seven out of eight biomanipulated ponds. The reduction in phytoplankton biomass was associated with a marked increase in density and size of large cladocerans in six ponds and a restoration of submerged macrophytes in five ponds. The phytoplankton biomass in the ponds with extensive stands of submerged macrophytes was less affected by planktivorous fish recolonisation of some of the ponds later in the summer. The two non-vegetated ponds as well as one pond with sparse submerged vegetation showed a marked increase in phytoplankton biomass associated with the appearance of fish. Phytoplankton biomass increase coincided with the decrease in large Cladocera density and size. One pond lacking submerged macrophytes could maintain very low phytoplankton biomass owing to large Cladocera grazing alone. The results of this study confirmed the importance of large zooplankton grazing and revegetation with submerged macrophytes for the maintenance of the clear-water state and restoration success in hypereutrophic ponds. They also showed that large Cladocera size is more important than their number for efficient phytoplankton control and when cladocerans are large enough, they can considerably restrain phytoplankton growth, including bloom-forming cyanobacteria, even when submerged vegetation is not restored. The positive result of fish removal in seven out of eight biomanipulated ponds clearly indicated that such management intervention can be used, at least, for the short-term restoration of ecological water quality and prevention of noxious cyanobacterial bloom formation. The negative result of biomanipulation in one pond seems to be related to the pollution by sewage water. Guest editors: B. Oertli, R. Cereghino, A. Hull & R. Miracle Pond Conservation: From Science to Practice. 3rd Conference of the European Pond Conservation Network, Valencia, Spain, 14–16 May 2008     

Changes in marsh nekton communities along the salinity gradient of the Schelde river, Belgium and The Netherlands

Nekton was sampled in five marshes along the salinity gradient of the Schelde River. The utilisation of three different habitats (large and small creek, marsh pond) by fish and macrocrustacean species was compared among the five sampling sites. In the larger channels fyke nets were deployed to capture fish and macrocrustaceans leaving the marsh at ebb while block nets were set in smaller intertidal creeks. Fish traps passively sampled fish and shrimp in the marsh ponds. The tidal freshwater marsh had a species poor fauna and only a low number of fish was caught. Besides some freshwater species (Alburnoides bipunctatus, Carassius carassius) the European eel, Anguilla anguilla was still present. The four other marshes had a similar community structure although Platichthys flesus was absent from the euhaline area. Among fish species, dominance of Dicentrarchus labrax, Platichthys flesus and Pomatoschistus microps was observed. Carcinus maenas and Palaemonetes varians were the most abundant macrocrustacean species in every marsh. Between the large and small intertidal creeks there was no difference in nekton species composition. The main species used both habitats. Marsh ponds were utilized intensively only by two species, Pomatoschistus microps and Palaemonetes varians in every marsh.