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Marine and Freshwater Research Marine and Freshwater Research Society
Advances in the aquatic sciences

Marine and Freshwater Research

Marine and Freshwater Research

Marine and Freshwater Research is a multidisciplinary journal publishing original research and reviews on all aquatic environments and subject areas. Read more about the journalMore

Editor-in-Chief: Max Finlayson

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Marine and Freshwater Research has moved to a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 19 September 2024

MF24063Eutrophication weakens the positive biodiversity–productivity relationship of benthic diatoms in plateau lakes

Yun Zhang 0000-0002-9455-4711, Yihan Zhao, Yanling Li, Xiaodong Wu, Janne Soininen 0000-0002-8583-3137 and Jun Wang 0000-0003-2481-1409
 

This study examined the benthic diatom biodiversity–productivity relationship (BPRs) and the underlying mechanisms in high-plateau lakes along trophic states. The BPRs were linear and positive at all trophic levels, but eutrophication may weaken this relationship. Motile, non-attached and small-sized cells contributed notably to reducing the productivity and BPR. Nutrients affected productivity indirectly by influencing algal community structure, niche width and by biodiversity change.

Published online 16 September 2024

MF23174Are tuna always hungry? A deep dive into stomach-fullness measures in the western and central Pacific Ocean

Pauline Machful 0009-0006-1926-8594, Annie Portal, Jed Macdonald, Valerie Allain, Joe Scutt Phillips, Joanne Potts and Simon Nicol
 

In this study, we sought to reconstruct tropical tuna dietary histories by using different metrics of stomach fullness and to assess their association with fisheries-related, environmental and biological covariates. Our results add to the evidence that tropical tunas forage more effectively during the day and more actively when not associated with floating objects. Further research is needed to understand the factors governing this promising indicator of ecosystem change.

Published online 12 September 2024

MF24123The implications of brief floodplain inundation for local and landscape-scale ecosystem function in an intermittent Australian river

Oliver P. Pratt 0000-0001-7323-4594, Leah S. Beesley 0000-0003-4850-6388, Bradley J. Pusey 0000-0002-7446-7186, Samantha A. Setterfield 0000-0002-7470-4997 and Michael M. Douglas 0000-0003-3650-3374
 

Seasonal flooding promotes habitat diversity that influences biodiversity and ecological processes in river–floodplain ecosystems. We demonstrated that environmental conditions in floodplain pools on the Fitzroy River (WA) vary substantially compared with the main channel, providing an important habitat for organisms that contribute to landscape-scale ecosystem function. Floodplain pools fill a unique role in the wider river–floodplain ecosystem and should be protected from negative effects of water development.

Published online 05 September 2024

MF24118A comprehensive review of South Australia’s Great Artesian Basin spring and discharge wetlands biota

P. G. Beasley-Hall 0000-0002-7360-7933, B. A. Hedges, S. J. B. Cooper, A. D. Austin and M. T. Guzik
 

The Great Artesian Basin (GAB) is Australia’s largest freshwater resource. Springs fed by the GAB support many species not found elsewhere on Earth, but conservation is hindered by a lack of fundamental knowledge about the plants, animals and fungi reliant on these habitats. Using South Australia as a case study, we provide a comprehensive review of GAB biodiversity in that state.

Published online 04 September 2024

MF24002Effect of climate change on habitat suitability and recruitment dynamics of swimming crabs in the Taiwan Strait

Muhamad Naimullah 0000-0002-6415-0951, Kuo-Wei Lan, Mubarak Mammel, Lu-Chi Chen, Yan-Lun Wu, Po-Yuan Hsiao 0000-0001-8446-175X, Ting-Yu Liang, Hanafiah Fazhan and Khor WaiHo
 

Climate change affects marine environments, disrupting fisheries and ecosystems. Marine crustaceans, like swimming crabs in the Taiwan Strait, respond by altering catchability and habitat suitability. El Niño events significantly affect their fishing grounds, whereas water exchange and wind changes influence temperature, salinity and water mass structure. During La Niña years, positive ocean temperature and salinity anomalies may further affect the optimal habitats and catchability of swimming crabs.

Published online 04 September 2024

MF24105The role of environmental factors on beta diversity of periphytic algae in a tropical reservoir

Silvano Lima do Nascimento Filho 0000-0002-8426-5246, Anamaria Silva Diniz 0000-0001-9186-4020 and Ariadne do Nascimento Moura 0000-0001-5093-2840
 

The aim was to explore how environmental filters act on the diversity of periphytic algae in tropical aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we analysed how environmental filters act on the biodiversity of periphytic algae in a tropical reservoir. We discovered that physical and chemical filters directly influence the alpha and beta diversity of periphytic algae and the importance of the presence of aquatic macrophytes.

Published online 04 September 2024

MF24013Influence of abiotic factors on the fecundity and ecological plasticity of a freshwater prawn in estuary and river environments

Breno R. M. Silva 0000-0002-3996-4427, Gicelle M. F. Silva 0000-0003-3271-9290, Yanne A. Mendes 0000-0001-8718-2932, Juliana C. D. Pantoja 0000-0002-9180-4033, Ivana K. S. Viana 0000-0003-2296-0902, Antonio E. P. De Oliveira 0000-0002-6721-6776, Rossineide M. Rocha 0000-0001-9224-3138 and Maria A. P. Ferreira 0000-0002-0964-4297
 

Illustration of the impact of abiotic factors on freshwater prawn in estuary and river environments.

In this study, we sought to determine which abiotic factors influence the fecundity and size of populations of M. amazonicum in estuary and river environments. Precipitation, turbidity and dissolved oxygen are determining factors for the differences found in the fecundity and size of M. amazonicum females in different environments. This information should be useful for improving the cost-efficiency of prawn culture. (Image credit: Breno Silva and Juan Caldas.)

Published online 04 September 2024

MF24011Changes in the fish assemblages along the Busselton Jetty, and a comparison with natural habitats

Madeleine S. Scanlon 0009-0005-9543-4745, Euan S. Harvey, Jack R. C. Parker, Isabella M. Mullins, Sophie A. Teede and Benjamin J. Saunders
 

We described and quantified the fish assemblages at the heritage-listed Busselton Jetty, and made comparisons with natural reef, seagrass and sand habitats in Geographe Bay. The mean number of fish, species diversity and biomass all increased with distance along the jetty. The fish assemblage at the jetty was unique and different from that in all three natural habitats. Habitat complexity, depth and distance from shore were the key drivers of these differences.

Published online 20 August 2024

MF23182First insights into the vertical habitat use of young porbeagles in the north-western Atlantic with implications for bycatch reduction strategies

Brooke N. Anderson 0000-0003-4299-3496, Heather D. Bowlby, Steven Saul, Yun Kang, Neil Hammerschlag, Lisa J. Natanson and James A. Sulikowski
 

The depth use of young porbeagles was investigated for the first time during the summer and autumn in the north-western Atlantic. Depth use varied on both daily and seasonal scales, with sharks occupying surface waters during the night and summer, and diving deeper during the day and autumn. Results can inform bycatch reduction strategies for this vulnerable life stage.

Published online 20 August 2024

MF24092The revelry of plastic! Quali-quantitative variation of microplastics in freshwater before and after Carnival in south-eastern Brazil

Igor David da Costa 0000-0002-8556-5507, Eduardo de Freitas Queiroz, Natalia Neto dos Santos Nunes, Leonardo Lopes Costa and Ilana Rosental Zalmon
 

We conducted a microplastics survey in a stretch of the Paraíba do Sul River basin, the water system of which flows through the most populous area in Brazil. Samples were taken from the superficial layer of the water column during the Carnival period in 2023. Higher microplastic concentrations were observed after the Carnival event than in the pre- and during-Carnival periods.

Published online 07 August 2024

MF24135Spatiotemporal variations of precipitation patterns in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River Basin

Yang Xiao, Ran Gu, Qiang Zhou, Mengyang Chen, Taotao Zhang, Chen Xu 0000-0001-8008-2963 and Zhenhong Zhu
 

Exploring trends in rainfall across the middle and lower Yangtze River Basin from 1961 to 2022, this study showed a shift from reduced fluctuations to increased precipitation c. 2011, becoming notably pronounced after 2017. Utilising ARIMA models and expert techniques, it forecast future trends, aiding flood management and climate adaptation strategies, with implications for advanced climate modelling and data analytics.

This article belongs to the collection Ecological monitoring and assessment of freshwater ecosystems: new trends and future challenges.

Published online 07 August 2024

MF23234‘Data Deficient’ but potentially threatened: first biological observations on the poorly known quagga catshark (Halaelurus quagga)

Chinthamani Abisha, Neelesh Dahanukar 0000-0001-7162-9023, Kutty Ranjeet and Rajeev Raghavan 0000-0002-0610-261X
 

The first study on the exploitation levels and aspects of biology of Halaelurus quagga, a poorly known deep-water catshark, showed a female-dominated sex ratio, a positively allometric growth in females and isometric growth in males. Mature H. quagga males ranged between 294 and 336 mm, and females between 315 and 370 mm, with pregnant females carrying two, three or four egg cases, with embryos in each uterus. This species is landed (and discarded) as bycatch in shrimp fisheries, with the catches comprising a significant amount of reproductively active individuals.


A conceptual model describing the overlapping phenological cycles of Eucalyptus camaldulensis over several years.

Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus coolabah are floodplain trees found in the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB). This long-term study observed the timing and abundance of buds, flowers and fruits at sites in the northern MDB and looked for patterns that would indicate the influence of river flows. Bud abundance, canopy seed storage and seed fall were influenced by moisture availability in both species. Image credit: J. L. Kerr.

This article belongs to the collection Environmental flows in northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice.

Published online 05 August 2024

MF24049Learning consciousness in managing water for the environment, exemplified using Macquarie River and Marshes, Australia

Craig A. McLoughlin 0000-0002-4853-8462, Richard T. Kingsford 0000-0001-6565-4134 and William Johnson
 

We developed a learning approach for managing water for the environment, globally, as learning is essential for effective and successful management. This learning approach is exemplified using the Macquarie River and Marshes in the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia. To improve ongoing learning in managing water for the environment, we recommend institutionalising learning, increasing flexibility in governance arrangements, fostering social-learning capacity, and developing explicit learning understanding by nurturing learning mandates and champions.

This article belongs to the collection Environmental Flows in Northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice.

The lipid composition depends on the mussel size; small mussels have an elevated content of main lipid classes. Bivalves have mechanisms to regulate the fatty acid composition of membrane lipids, including maintenance of a constant unsaturation degree of phospholipid fatty acids. Selective retention of arachidonic acid as well as accumulation of non-methylene-interrupted fatty acids in mussels are assumed to be biomarkers of environmental stress. Contents of minor phospholipid fractions in combination with unsaturated fatty acids can be used for monitoring of the health status of mussels.

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

Most Read

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Collections

Collections are a curation of articles relevant to a topical research area

Conservation efforts and restoration initiatives are crucial for improving biodiversity, ecological integrity, and ensuring the availability of clean water and other vital ecosystem services. This collection highlights the latest developments in these fields, as discussed at the 6th International Symposium on Water Pollution and Treatment 2023. The articles herein primarily concentrate on the sustainable enhancement of freshwater ecological system monitoring and assessment methods, the identification of indicator species, and the preservation of ecosystem services.

Collection Editor
Yong Xiao

Last Updated: 07 Aug 2024

Following the Basin Plan 2012, there has been a concerted effort from agencies and research institutions to manage and monitor flows and the environment in the Murray–Darling Basin. With the Basin Plan scheduled for renewal in the next few years, this collection is intended to provide a focussed source of information. This collection will be a resource for the creators of the next Basin Plan and improve understanding of flow management more broadly in Australia and worldwide.

Collection Editors
Paul Frazier, Sarah Mika, Neil Argent, Michael Peat, Sam Capon

Last Updated: 05 Aug 2024

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have a long and enduring connection to Sea Country. The marine science community must actively embrace Indigenous knowledge and make space for it in our current publishing systems, as well as exploring new and innovative ways to share knowledge and encourage the next generation of Indigenous scientists. To that end, the Australian Marine Sciences Association presents this Collection focusing on ‘Science in Sea Country’.

Collection Editors
Alexandra Campbell, Mibu Fischer, Chris Frid, Mitchell Gibbs, Laura Parker and Rachel Przeslawski

Last Updated: 27 Feb 2024

The 10th INTECOL International Wetlands Conference, held in Changshu, China, in September 2016, offered a platform to review and explore advances in research on wetland biodiversity, functions and ecosystem services and management. Hosted by the INTECOL Wetland Working Group, this international forum was an opportune time for Asian marine and freshwater researchers to present their research. This Collection contains a selection of nine articles published in Marine and Freshwater Research that showcase the range of research being undertaken within China.

Collection Editor
CM Finlayson, (Editor, Marine and Freshwater Research)

Last Updated: 12 Sep 2016

Sharks and rays comprise an increasingly threatened group of aquatic predators. As the world’s shark and ray populations decline, improved conservation and management of these species is critical. Recognising that life history parameters form the basis for much of this research, we have compiled this ‘Shark and Ray Life History’ Collection of papers from Marine and Freshwater Research.

Last Updated: 13 Mar 2015

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