Prospects for conserving freshwater fish biodiversity in the Anthropocene: A view from Southern China DOI Creative Commons

David Dudgeon

Integrative Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3(4), P. 294 - 311

Published: Dec. 1, 2024

Abstract Globally, population declines of freshwater animals have been consistently greater than counterparts in other realms, making fresh waters hot spots endangerment—particularly for larger species. Furthermore, biotas become increasingly homogenized as invasions by non‐native species proceed. These trends are particularly evident Anthropocene China, where humans profoundly altered ecosystems, with serious consequences fishes and aquatic vertebrates. Here, I examine the prospects ‘bending curve’ or reversing trend fish biodiversity loss focusing on examples from Yangtze further south. Much China's rich is threatened, but a lack contemporary surveys means that conservation status many uncertain, ~40% data deficient. Although nutrient pollution major rivers has abated recently, poor water quality remains concern, widespread proliferation emerging contaminants microplastics can be expected to unpredictable (but detrimental) effects biota. Warmer temperatures will exacerbate toxicity micropollutants, facilitate spread supplanting native fishes. Extensive dam construction fragmented rivers, blocked migrations, preventing access spawning sites leading extirpations. Dams limit ability adjust their ranges compensate global warming, increased drought severity frequency under climate change representing an existential threat. Overexploitation reduced recent introduction 10‐year fishing ban basin, dams, flow regulation, continuing habitat degradation stymie any recovery significant result ban. captive breeding release programmes failed restore populations threatened because management stock allowed inbreeding hybridization genetic wild populations. Other anthropogenic activities, such large‐scale mining river sand flood plain—exacerbated sediment‐trapping upstream dams—are persistent obstacles China.

Language: Английский

Microplastics and silver nanoparticles compromise detrital food chains in streams through effects on microbial decomposers and invertebrate detritivores DOI Creative Commons
José Trabulo, Arunava Pradhan, Cláudia Pascoal

et al.

Chemosphere, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 367, P. 143656 - 143656

Published: Nov. 1, 2024

Abundance of microplastics (MPs) in freshwater ecosystems has become an emerging concern due to their persistence, toxicity and potential interactions with other contaminants. Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), which share common sources MPs (e.g., personal care products), are also a subject concern. Thus, the high probability co-occurrence both contaminants raises additional apprehensions. This study assessed, for first time, impacts Ag-NPs, alone or mixtures, on stream detritus food webs. Physiological ecological responses aquatic fungal communities, invertebrate shredders (Allogamus sp.) collectors (Chironomus riparius) were examined. Additionally, antioxidant enzymatic microbes analyzed unravel mechanisms toxicity; also, neuronal stress Allogamus sp. assessed based activities cholinesterases. Organisms exposed environmentally realistic concentrations polyethylene MPs, extracted from product (0.1, 0.5 10 mg L

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Prospects for conserving freshwater fish biodiversity in the Anthropocene: A view from Southern China DOI Creative Commons

David Dudgeon

Integrative Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3(4), P. 294 - 311

Published: Dec. 1, 2024

Abstract Globally, population declines of freshwater animals have been consistently greater than counterparts in other realms, making fresh waters hot spots endangerment—particularly for larger species. Furthermore, biotas become increasingly homogenized as invasions by non‐native species proceed. These trends are particularly evident Anthropocene China, where humans profoundly altered ecosystems, with serious consequences fishes and aquatic vertebrates. Here, I examine the prospects ‘bending curve’ or reversing trend fish biodiversity loss focusing on examples from Yangtze further south. Much China's rich is threatened, but a lack contemporary surveys means that conservation status many uncertain, ~40% data deficient. Although nutrient pollution major rivers has abated recently, poor water quality remains concern, widespread proliferation emerging contaminants microplastics can be expected to unpredictable (but detrimental) effects biota. Warmer temperatures will exacerbate toxicity micropollutants, facilitate spread supplanting native fishes. Extensive dam construction fragmented rivers, blocked migrations, preventing access spawning sites leading extirpations. Dams limit ability adjust their ranges compensate global warming, increased drought severity frequency under climate change representing an existential threat. Overexploitation reduced recent introduction 10‐year fishing ban basin, dams, flow regulation, continuing habitat degradation stymie any recovery significant result ban. captive breeding release programmes failed restore populations threatened because management stock allowed inbreeding hybridization genetic wild populations. Other anthropogenic activities, such large‐scale mining river sand flood plain—exacerbated sediment‐trapping upstream dams—are persistent obstacles China.

Language: Английский

Citations

0