This report defines the role of nearshore ecosystems, such as wetlands and seagrass meadows, as nurseries for populations of fish and shellfish that may be of commercial value to humans. The ecological value of nursery habitats in relation to the life cycle of many species of fish and invertebrates is mentioned as the nursery-role hypothesis is discussed. Biological, physical, chemical, and...
This report discusses the three primary categories of atmospheric pollutants of aquatic ecosystems and how their ecological effects impact humans, fish and wildlife. Pollutants of concern such as organic compounds, synthetic fragrances, fluorinated surfactants, flame retardants, mercury, and nutrients are reviewed. The emission, deposition, and fate of atmospheric pollutants are discussed; in...
A photo of the Menindee Lakes in arid Australia depicts floodplain eucalyptus trees (Eucalyptus largiflorens) that were killed by prolonged flooding after the lakes were made into storage reservoirs for irrigation and drinking. A recent study of Australian lakes found that when lakes in floodplains are made into reservoirs, greatly reducing the fluctuations in water level, the biodiversity of...
The central Amazon Basin is home to some of the most biologically diverse forests in the world. These rain forests are being reduced and fragmented at a fast rate (as of 2004, about 24 million hectares per year), and the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on these ecosystems is still poorly understood. This is especially true for long-lived species such as trees. The proliferation of...
The Dos Bocas dam in Puerto Rico was constructed in 1942 to generate hydroelectric power. Dams in this region prevent the migration of shrimp and fish to areas upstream of the dam. As a result, compared to similar reaches of undammed streams, areas that are upstream of dammed rivers have higher amounts of organic and inorganic nutrients as well as altered invertebrate populations. Loss of...
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