- Marine Ecology, Landscape Ecology, Coral Reefs, Remote sensing and GIS applications in Landscape Research, Fish Ecology, Marine biodiversity, and 8 moreMarine Conservation, Marine Protected Areas, Mangroves, Spatial Ecology, Coral Reef Ecosystems, Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning, Marine spatial planning, and Seascape Ecologyedit
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Publication Name: Ocean & Coastal Management
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Publisher: Wiley
Publication Name: Journal of Fish Biology
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A substantial amount of information on the Brazilian estuarine fishes has been collected, but is still largely fragmented into different sources. This study presents a summary of the available knowledge on the biodiversity of estuarine... more
A substantial amount of information on the Brazilian estuarine fishes has been collected, but is still largely fragmented into different sources. This study presents a summary of the available knowledge on the biodiversity of estuarine fishes in Brazil, a brief analysis of the historical development of estuarine ichthyology and identifies current research gaps in the country. A total of 796 fish species were inventoried, representing about 2.3% of current valid fish species and about 17.6% of the Brazilian fish fauna. Data evidenced the existence of large coastal stretches inadequately sampled and a lack of human resources and infrastructure in parts of the coast. Large gaps in basic knowledge about the biology and ecology of the species were also detected. Reducing these deficiencies is of utmost importance for the study, documentation and conservation of the Brazilian biodiversity.
DOI: 10.7287/peerj.preprints.27085v1
Publication Date: 2018
Publication Name: PeerJ Preprint
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While the number of species is a key indicator of ecological assemblages, spatial conservation priorities solely identified from species richness are not necessarily efficient to protect other important biological assets. Hence, the... more
While the number of species is a key indicator of ecological assemblages, spatial conservation priorities solely identified from species richness are not necessarily efficient to protect other important biological assets. Hence, the results of spatial prioritization analysis would be greatly enhanced if richness were used in association to complementary biodiversity measures. In this study, geographic patterns in estuarine fish species rarity (i.e. the average range size in the study area), endemism and richness, were mapped and integrated to identify regions important for biodiversity conservation along the Brazilian coast. Furthermore, we analyzed the effectiveness of the national system of protected areas to represent these regions. Analyses were performed on presence/absence data of 412 fish species in 0.25 latitudinal bands covering the entire Brazilian biogeographical province. Species richness, rarity and endemism patterns differed and strongly reflected biogeographical limits and regions. However, among the existing 154 latitudinal bands, 48 were recognized as conservation priorities by concomitantly harboring high estuarine fish species richness and assemblages of geographically rare species. Priority areas identified for all estuarine fish species largely differed from those identified for Brazilian endemics. Moreover, there was no significant correlation between the different aspects of the fish assemblages considered (i.e. species richness, endemism or rarity), suggesting that designating reserves based on a single variable may lead to large gaps in the overall protection of biodiversity. Our results further revealed that the existing system of protected areas is insufficient for representing the priority bands we identified. This highlights the urgent need for expanding the national network of protected areas to maintain estuarine ecosystems with high conservation value.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2017.06.022
Volume: 196
Page Numbers: 134-140
Publication Date: 2017
Publication Name: Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
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The Abrolhos Bank is an area of high ecological, socioeconomic importance and harbour the richest and most-extensive coral reefs in the South Atlantic. Here we report the discovery of shallow (12-25 m depth) reef complex with ten large... more
The Abrolhos Bank is an area of high ecological, socioeconomic importance and harbour the richest and most-extensive coral reefs in the South Atlantic. Here we report the discovery of shallow (12-25 m depth) reef complex with ten large biogenic structures, intermediate between the typical mushroom-shaped pinnacles of the northern Abrolhos Bank (17°-18°S) and the small patch reefs found on the central/southern coast of the Espírito Santo State (19°-20°S). The newly discovered reefs harbour a relatively rich and abundant reef community, with 73 fish and 14 benthic cnidarian species, including endangered and commercially important ones. We discuss on urgent needs of properly mapping and understanding the ecological functioning of this reef system. Information provided here is a baseline for future impact evaluations, particularly considering the recent worst environmental disaster of Brazil from a dam collapse in Doce river that affected the region.
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.08.059
Volume: 114
Page Numbers: 123-133
Publication Date: 2017
Publication Name: Marine Pollution Bulletin
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While the number of species is a key indicator of ecological assemblages, spatial conservation priorities solely identified from species richness are not necessarily efficient to protect other important biological assets. Hence, the... more
While the number of species is a key indicator of ecological assemblages, spatial conservation priorities solely identified from species richness are not necessarily efficient to protect other important biological assets. Hence, the results of spatial prioritization analysis would be greatly enhanced if richness were used in association to complementary biodiversity measures. In this study, geographic patterns in estuarine fish species rarity (i.e. the average range size in the study area), endemism and richness, were mapped and integrated to identify regions important for biodiversity conservation along the Brazilian coast. Furthermore, we analyzed the effectiveness of the national system of protected areas to represent these regions. Analyses were performed on presence/absence data of 412 fish species in 0.25 latitudinal bands covering the entire Brazilian biogeographical province. Species richness, rarity and endemism patterns differed and strongly reflected biogeographical limits and regions. However, among the existing 154 latitudinal bands, 48 were recognized as conservation priorities by concomitantly harboring high estuarine fish species richness and assemblages of geographically rare species. Priority areas identified for all estuarine fish species largely differed from those identified for Brazilian endemics. Moreover, there was no significant correlation between the different aspects of the fish assemblages considered (i.e. species richness, endemism or rarity), suggesting that designating reserves based on a single variable may lead to large gaps in the overall protection of biodiversity. Our results further revealed that the existing system of protected areas is insufficient for representing the priority bands we identified. This highlights the urgent need for expanding the national network of protected areas to maintain estuarine ecosystems with high conservation value.
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The Abrolhos Bank is an area of high ecological, socioeconomic importance and harbour the richest and most-extensive coral reefs in the South Atlantic. Here we report the discovery of shallow (12–25 m depth) reef complex with ten large... more
The Abrolhos Bank is an area of high ecological, socioeconomic importance and harbour the richest and most-extensive coral reefs in the South Atlantic. Here we report the discovery of shallow (12–25 m depth) reef complex with ten large biogenic structures, intermediate between the typical mushroom-shaped pinnacles of the northern Abrolhos Bank (17°–18° S) and the small patch reefs found on the central/southern coast of the Espírito Santo State (19°–20° S). The newly discovered reefs harbour a relatively rich and abundant reef community, with 73 fish and 14 benthic cnidarian species, including endangered and commercially important ones. We discuss on urgent needs of properly mapping and understanding the ecological functioning of this reef system. Information provided here is a baseline for future impact evaluations, particularly considering the recent worst environmental disaster of Brazil from a dam collapse in Doce river that affected the region.
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Journal Name: Boletim do Instituto de Pesca
Publication Date: 2015
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Publication Date: 2013
Publication Name: Marine Ecology Progress Series
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Publication Date: 2013
Publication Name: Brazilian Journal of Oceanography
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Publication Date: 2012
Publication Name: Biota Neotropica
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Publication Date: 2011
Publication Name: Zootaxa
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Publication Date: 2011
Publication Name: Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
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Publication Date: 2011
Publication Name: Pan-American Journal of Aquatic Sciences
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Publication Date: 2008
Publication Name: Biotemas
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Publication Date: 2008
Publication Name: Iheringia Serie Zoologia
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Publication Date: 2007
Publication Name: Boletim do Instituto de Pesca
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Publication Date: 2006
Publication Name: Boletim do Museu de Biologia Mello Leitão
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Composição e estrutura da comunidade de peixes de uma praia arenosa da Ilha do Frade, Vitória, Espírito Santomore
by Ciro C. Vilar and Werther Krohling