Linking temperate demersal fish species to habitat: scales,patterns and future directions

Adoption of the ecosystem approach to fisheries management relies on recognition of the link between fish and other components of the ecosystem, namely their physical and biological habitat. However, identifying the habitat requirements of marine fishes and hence determining their distribution in space and time is scientifically complex. We analysed the methodologies and findings of research on temperate, demersal fish habitat requirements to highlight the main developments in this field and to identify potential shortfalls. Many studies were undertaken over large spatial scales (≥100s km²) and these generally correlated abundances of fish to abiotic variables. Biological variables were accounted for less often. Small spatial scale (≤m²), experimental studies were comparatively sparse and commonly focused on biotic variables. Whilst the number of studies focusing on abiotic variables increased with increasing spatial scale, the proportion of studies finding significant relationships between habitat and fish distribution remained constant. This mismatch indicates there is no justification for the tendency to analyse abiotic habitat variables at large spatial scales. Innovative modelling techniques and habitat mapping technologies are developing rapidly, providing new insights at the larger spatial scales. However, there is a clear need for a reduction in study scale, or increase in resolution additional to the integration of biotic variables. We argue that development of sound predictive science in the field of demersal fish habitat determination is reliant on a change in focus along these lines. This is especially important if spatial management strategies, such as Marine Protected Areas (MPA) or No Take Zones (NTZ), are to be used in future ecosystem‐based approaches to fisheries management.     

Nubbing of Coral Colonies: A Novel Approach for the Development of Inland Broodstocks

The establishment of large numbers of ramets from any individual coral genet can be used as a valuable source of material for the trade in ornamental marine organisms and in physiological and ecotoxicological studies. Here we discuss the rationale and the applicability of rearing ex situ large numbers of nubbins (minute fragments, down to the size of a single polyp). Nubbins taken from colonies of the branching Red Sea coral Stylophora pistillata show high survivorship under ex situ conditions and fast growth rates (5- to 6-fold increase in polyp numbers within 3 months) of the basal plates which revealed a significant correlation between tissue surface area and polyp numbers. Nubbins from branch tips and mid branches grew at a similar rate, but growth was affected by different light regimens. This approach requires further experimentation to elucidate optimal conditions.     

The loss of genetic diversity in Dabry's sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus,Dumeril) as revealed by DNA fingerprinting

• 1. Dabry's sturgeon, a large, long‐lived migratory fish is endemic to the Yangtze River. Over‐fishing and habitat destruction have caused large‐scale declines in natural stocks in the last two decades.
• 2. Examining patterns of genetic diversity has become an integral component of many management plans for endangered species. DNA fingerprinting was applied to detect genetic diversity in Dabry's sturgeon collected in 1958–1959, 1980–1981 and 1998–1999.
• 3. Studies on direct genetic parameters (genetic variability, hypervariable loci and heterozygosity) and indirect parameters (band‐sharing coefficient and allelic frequency) showed that the continuous decline in wild populations has caused the loss of genetic diversity in present‐day sturgeon.
• 4. The present‐day populations have the lowest genetic variability; thus, effective management is needed to preserve genetic diversity.
• 5. A conservation strategy is urgently required, comprising artificial rearing facilities coupled with breeding management plans.

Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Colonization history and human translocations explain the population genetic structure of the noble crayfish (Astacus astacus) in Fennoscandia: Implications for the management of a critically endangered species

1. The noble crayfish (Astacus astacus) is an endangered freshwater species in Europe. The main threat is from lethal crayfish plague, caused by the oomycete Aphanomyces astaci that has been spread over Europe by introduced North American crayfish species, acting as chronic carriers of the disease.
2. Most of the remaining noble crayfish populations are found in the Baltic Sea area, and there is an urgent need to implement conservation actions to slow down or halt the extinction rate in this region. However, limited knowledge about the genetic structure of populations in this area has so far precluded the development of conservation strategies that take genetic aspects into consideration.
3. Key objectives of this large-scale genetic study, covering 77 locations mainly from northern Europe, were to describe the contemporary population genetic structure of the noble crayfish in the Fennoscandian peninsula (Sweden, Norway, and Finland), taking postglacial colonization history into account, and to evaluate how human activities such as stocking have affected the genetic structure of the populations.
4. Analyses of 15 microsatellite markers revealed three main genetic clusters corresponding to populations in northern, middle, and southern Fennoscandia, with measures of genetic diversity being markedly higher within populations in the southern cluster. The observed genetic structure probably mirrors two main colonizations of the Baltic Sea basin after the last glaciation period. At the same time, several deviations from this pattern were observed, reflecting past human translocations of noble crayfish.
5. The results are discussed in relation to the conservation and management of this critically endangered species. In particular, we recommend increased efforts to protect the few remaining noble crayfish populations in southern Fennoscandia and the use of genetic information when planning stocking activities, such as reintroductions following local extinctions.

     

A review of the biology and status of Cape Fold Ecoregion freshwater fishes

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Effects of a hook ring on catch and bycatch in a Mediterranean swordfish longline fishery: small addition with potentially large consequences

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中国槭树资源与观赏利用

文章报道了我国槭树资源的水平与垂直分布概况和观赏槭树资源及利用、引种,并提出了保护的建议。     

治黄之本在于水土保持

该论证了在漫长的地质时期，黄土高原的土壤侵蚀强度变化幅度很大，有时异常强烈，有时则很轻微。根据子午岭地区土壤侵蚀由强变弱的实例，以及许多水土保持综合治理先进典型，说明黄土高原的土壤侵蚀完合可以治理。只有水土保持才是根治黄河水害，促进当地农业持续发展的根本保证。     

数字资源整合核心领域研究进展

从发展历程、研究内容、学科特点及国际研究热点问题和国内发展现状等方面对数字资源整合进行了探讨,总结了研究过程中出现的问题,并对未来的研究趋势做了预测。     

中国主要鱿鱼钓渔场分析

针对我国近海渔业资源面临枯竭,而远洋鱿鱼钓产业方兴未艾的局面,在调查和收集大量资料的基础上,对我国鱿鱼钓船在国外的作业生产情况进行分析,总结了主要作业渔场(阿根廷外海渔场和北太平洋鱿鱼渔场)的生产情况,这对从事相关产业单位的决策及鱿鱼钓渔船设计都具有一定的参考价值。