Assessing anthropogenic pressures on estuarine fish nurseries along the Portuguese coast: A multi-metric index and conceptual approach

Vasconcelos, Rita P.; Patrick, Ruth; Fonseca, Vanessa F.; Maia, Anabela; Ruano, Miguel; França, Susana; Vinagre, Catarina; Costa, M. J.; Cabral, Henrique N.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2006.12.048

Cited by 190 publications

(106 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…Estuaries are exposed to these activities through urban and industrial development and intensive agriculture (Vasconcelos et al, 2007). Estuaries can accumulate higher quantities of organic contaminants than the adjacent coastal waters, since they can accumulate higher quantities of nutrients and organic material.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organochlorine contaminants in different tissues from Platichthys flesus (Pisces, Pleuronectidea)

Baptista¹,

Pato²,

Duarte³

et al. 2013

Chemosphere

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h i g h l i g h t sPlatichthys flesus muscle, liver and gills were analysed for PCBs and HCB. P. flesus was analysed along its lifespan, liver presented the highest concentration. P. flesus HCB concentration increased in the 3 tissues along the species lifespan. P. flesus PCB concentration decreased in the 3 tissues along the species lifespan. P. flesus is considered safe for human intake, regarding PCBs and HCB. a r t i c l e i n f o t r a c tPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) are organic contaminants that tend to accumulate in fish. Estuaries are exposed to high anthropogenic activities, therefore tending to accumulate more contaminants than the adjacent coastal waters. Platichthys flesus, a fish with high economic value, was analysed for PCBs and HCB along its different age groups, in liver, gills, gonads and muscle. Younger fishes were caught in the estuary, whereas older fishes were caught in the adjacent coastal waters and acquired at Figueira da Foz Regional Office of Docapesca-Portos e Lotas, SA. Both contaminants concentrations follow the pattern: liver > gills > muscle. Hepatosomatic index had the lowest values in younger fishes and the highest values in older fishes. Condition factor values remain stable with age. Younger fishes had higher PCBs concentrations than the older fishes. In opposition HCB was only detected in fish from 3+ to 5+ and its concentration tended to increase with age. Overall P. flesus is considered safe for human intake.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organochlorine contaminants in different tissues from Platichthys flesus (Pisces, Pleuronectidea)

Baptista¹,

Pato²,

Duarte³

et al. 2013

Chemosphere

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“…Worldwide, estuarine areas and their associated salt marsh habitats are described as highly productive and valuable aquatic ecosystems [1]. Due to high levels of primary production, large reserves of organic matter and habitat diversity, these areas are considered biochemical hotspots that offer optimal conditions for numerous birds and aquatic species [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Due to high levels of primary production, large reserves of organic matter and habitat diversity, these areas are considered biochemical hotspots that offer optimal conditions for numerous birds and aquatic species [2]. These systems provide potential advantages for the growth and survival of young fish, namely high prey availability and refuge from predators [1] and, consequently, support the offshore stocks of economically valuable species [3,4]. The Guadiana estuary is no exception to this general observation since it provides an exceptionally suitable environment for fish spawning, breeding, feeding, and growth not only for estuarine but also economically important marine species, such as sardine Sardina pilchardus, seabream Diplodus sp., and sole Solea spp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is <em>Fundulus heteroclitus</em> Intrusion Depleting Winter Marsh Pools of Native Fish Species?

Gonçalves¹,

Cruz²,

Ben-Hamadou³

et al. 2017

Preprint

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This work updates the characterization of winter fish communities in salt marsh areas of Guadiana estuary (SE-Portugal) and discusses the potential risks of habitat dominance by a nonindigenous species (NIS). To this effect, six field campaigns were carried out during winter season targeting the collection of fish species. Individuals from seven different families (marine and estuarine) were collected although the community was dominated by two estuarine species -the native Pomatoschistus sp. (goby) and the NIS Fundulus heteroclitus (mummichog). Goby controlled the majority of salt marsh habitats, except one specific, marsh pool, where extreme environmental conditions were registered, namely high temperature and salinity. Such conditions may have boosted the intrusion of mummichog in this area. This species is well adapted to a wide range of abiotic factors enabling them to colonize habitats where no predators inhabit. Impacts of mummichog intrusion in the Guadiana salt marsh area are still unpredictable since this is the first recorded in such high density. Nevertheless, in scenarios of increased anthropogenic pressure and, consequently, habitat degradation, there is a potential risk of mummichog spread to other habitats and therefore compete for space and food resources with native species.

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“…Estuaries are well-recognized areas of high productivity that support a diversity of species, being also responsible for important ecological functions and services (Little, 2000;Vasconcelos et al, 2007). However, they have been subjected to a great variety of human impacts (e.g., pollution, overexploitation, loss of habitat and climate change), which have caused depletion of numerous formerly important species, destroyed or fragmented important estuarine habitats, such as seagrasses, oyster reefs and marshes, degraded water quality and introduced several non-indigenous species (NIS) (Kappel, 2005;Lotze et al, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal changes in fish assemblages in the River Minho tidal freshwater wetlands, NW of the Iberian Peninsula

Мота

Sousa

Bio

et al. 2014

Ann. Limnol. - Int. J. Lim.

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-The ichthyofauna of the River Minho tidal freshwater wetlands (TFWs) was studied in a semienclosed area, between June 2007 and May 2010, to determine temporal patterns of abundance, biomass and species composition. Fish catches, standardized by the number of fyke nets and by the fishing effort, were analysed and related to river flow, water temperature and precipitation. In total, 21 fish species were identified including six non-indigenous species (NIS) which represented 15% of the total captures (yet 43% of the biomass). Regarding ecological guilds, 82% were freshwater species (61% of the biomass) which included all NIS, whereas 13% of the catches were catadromous species (31% biomass) corresponding to eels. Only 4% were estuarine species (1% biomass) and together marine estuarine opportunists and anadromous species accomplished 1% (2 and 6% biomass, respectively). The fish assemblage showed seasonal patterns with a clear distinction between autumn/winter and spring/summer periods. Significant differences in abundance and biomass were also detected between autumn/winter of 2007/2008 and 2008/2009, i.e., inter-annual variations, with the latter period with lower catches yet higher dominance of NIS. Besides, higher water temperature had a significant negative effect on the observed number of species, but a positive effect on the abundance and biomass of NIS. More attention has to be given to TFWs and their role in structuring fish assemblages, because this information is vital for a sound management, conservation and restoration of estuarine areas.

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Assessing anthropogenic pressures on estuarine fish nurseries along the Portuguese coast: A multi-metric index and conceptual approach

Cited by 190 publications

References 52 publications

Organochlorine contaminants in different tissues from Platichthys flesus (Pisces, Pleuronectidea)

Organochlorine contaminants in different tissues from Platichthys flesus (Pisces, Pleuronectidea)

Is <em>Fundulus heteroclitus</em> Intrusion Depleting Winter Marsh Pools of Native Fish Species?

Seasonal changes in fish assemblages in the River Minho tidal freshwater wetlands, NW of the Iberian Peninsula

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