Coral-reef ecosystems have been continuously affected by stress conditions, causing bleaching and death, allowing other competitors from the reef to use such space. We evaluated the short- and long-term changes in the cover of three reef coral genera over multi-year periods, some with abnormal temperature. Results showed that anomalies caused an ephemeral decrease in coral cover, with a remarkable presence of coralline algae. However, the communities eventually returned to their coral-dominated state, suggesting that these reef habitats are resilient to such episodes of abnormal seawater temperature.

Remote sensing constitutes a tool to complement field monitoring of massive growths of cyanobacteria (blooms). In a South American reservoir with recurrent blooms, we obtained 75 hyperspectral signatures in the field under conditions of cyanobacteria dominance. We used the field signatures to simulate signatures in seven satellites, and developed mathematical formulas (algorithms) for each satellite to estimate the number of cyanobacterial cells in the field.

We evaluated the spatial variation of the ostracod resting eggs between the centre and edge areas of temporary lakes of a tropical flood plain. The abundance and species composition were similar between the regions of the lakes. Flood events may be responsible for the homogenisation of egg banks.

The dourado Salminus brasiliensis can migrate over 200 km to reproduce in the Ivinheima River and its tributaries, indicating favourable local conditions for migration and spawning. In addition, the species exhibits differential use of biotopes for reproduction, including rivers and backwaters (spawning) and lagoons (refuge and growth). The dourado is a key species for conservation, so ensuring its reproductive success means maintaining a balanced ecological structure.

This study analysed the combined influence of river flooding and rotational grazing of cattle on water quality of floodplain lakes of the Middle Paraná River. Our results showed increased concentrations of nutrients and values of turbidity in relation to cattle presence. The flood improved the water quality through washing-out and dilution. Moreover, the intrinsic capacity of floodplain lakes for self-purification was enhanced after the flood. This highlights the importance of maintaining the river–floodplain connectivity to attenuate the effects of livestock on water quality.

Using satellite telemetry, this paper unravels aspects of the horizontal and vertical movements of scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) for the first time in the equatorial and south Atlantic Ocean and helps fill the gap on the species’ ecology.

We evaluated the population structure and reproductive biology of Steindachneridion melanodermatum, a large catfish, by analysing size structure, sex ratio, reproductive period, as well as relationship between environmental variables and reproduction. Our study is the first in Neotropical region to investigate these in wild populations, and our findings are crucial to assist the development of measures and criteria for conservation of this endangered species.

In the past decades, the blue revolution has greatly increased the world aquaculture production. In this study, seven major socio-ecological impacts coupled with this increase were identified. So as to move towards sustainability, the following tools were also identified: technical, management, governance and legal aspects.

We produced a distribution map of wetlands in Argentina (WetCarto_AR) by integrating open data sources developed by national agencies for other purposes. Wetlands are concentrated towards the north-east but patchy mostly elsewhere. Wetlands cover 13.5% of mainland Argentina, a figure greatly underestimated by global wetland datasets. Our results stress the importance of local databases to map the known extent of wetlands, to feed or validate global models, all contributing to reduce the information gap on wetland distribution in South America.