Food selection and consumption of mobile epibenthic fauna in shallow marine areas MARINE ECOLOGY -PROGRESS SERIES

ABSTRACT: Food selection and consumption of the dominant species among mobile epibenthic fauna was investigated in shallow waters on the Swedish west coast. Newly recruited Pomatoschistus rnicrops, P. minutus, Pleuronectes platessa and Crangon crangon fed initially on meiofauna, whereas young stages of Carcinus maenas preferred 'detritus' (including plant material) and juvenile specimens of macrofauna. Older stages of all 5 species fed on macrofauna. In 1 yr (197?), when low recruitment of some usually abundant macrofaunal species occurre

Distribution, structure and function of Nordic eelgrass (Zostera marina) ecosystems: implications for coastal management and conservation

This paper focuses on the marine foundation eelgrass species, Zostera marina, along a gradient from the northern Baltic Sea to the north-east Atlantic. This vast region supports a minimum of 1480 km2 eelgrass (maximum >2100 km2), which corresponds to more than four times the previously quantified area of eelgrass in Western Europe. Eelgrass meadows in the low salinity Baltic Sea support the highest diversity (4–6 spp.) of angiosperms overall, but eelgrass productivity is low (<2 g dw m-2 d-1) and meadows are isolated and genetically impoverished. Higher salinity areas support monospecific meadows, with higher productivity (3–10 g dw m-2 d-1) and greater genetic connectivity. The salinity gradient further imposes functional differences in biodiversity and food webs, in particular a decline in number, but increase in biomass of mesograzers in the Baltic. Significant declines in eelgrass depth limits and areal cover are documented, particularly in regions experiencing high human pressure. The failure of eelgrass to re-establish itself in affected areas, despite nutrient reductions and improved water quality, signals complex recovery trajectories and calls for much greater conservation effort to protect existing meadows. The knowledge base for Nordic eelgrass meadows is broad and sufficient to establish monitoring objectives across nine national borders. Nevertheless, ensuring awareness of their vulnerability remains challenging. Given the areal extent of Nordic eelgrass systems and the ecosystem services they provide, it is crucial to further develop incentives for protecting them

Effekter av fintrådiga alger på rekrytering av rödspotta: en numerisk modell

Effekter av fintrådiga alger på rekrytering av rödspotta: en numerisk modellRegionala inventeringsrapporter import från MDP 2015-05</p

Biologisk undersökning av grunda havsvikar: effekter av fintrådiga alger och skörd

Biologisk undersökning av grunda havsvikar: effekter av fintrådiga alger och skördRegionala inventeringsrapporter import från MDP 2015-05</p

Hur kan formella ledare agera för att ha nytta av informella ledare?

Vi ville forma en helhetsbild av informellt ledarskap utifrån teori, stärkt av en empirisk undersökning, för att sedan svara på hur formella ledare skall agera för att ha nytta av informellt ledarskap. Utifrån helhetsbilden av informellt ledarskap som vi genom teorin har skapat menar vi att informella ledare har två förmågor, empatisk förmåga samt förmågan att tolka och klargöra uppgifter. Tack vare dessa förmågor åtnjuter de ett stort förtroende hos medarbetarna. När osäkerheten i en organisation är stor finns ett behov av förståelse hos medarbetare. De informella ledarna skapar denna mening genom att tolka och klargöra budskap och rykten och växer sig starka genom detta. För att den formella ledaren ska kunna ha nytta av den informella ledaren bör de formella ledarna uppmärksamma de informella ledarnas bidrag till organisationen i stället för att förneka den makt som de faktiskt innehar

Shrimp trap selectivity in a Mediterranean small-scale-fishery

Small-scale shrimp trap fisheries, which have received very little attention in areas with limited potential for economic diversification, could offer a sustainable and socially beneficial option for profitable businesses in these regions. This study explores the effect of mesh size on selectivity of the commercially important narwal shrimp, Plesionika narval, in the Mediterranean Sea. Three different mesh sizes (8 × 8, 12 × 12 and 12 × 25 mm) were tested in fishing trials, with a theoretical Minimum Landing Size (MLS) using a defined maturity size of 12 mm to support interpretation of the results. Using the retention rates and the estimations on population fractions above and below MLS, we show that the use of the smallest- and largest-sized meshes would not support sustainable or efficient fishery. The results demonstrate a significant decrease in capture probability of undersized narwal shrimps with increased mesh size. The medium-sized mesh traps prove to be the best compromise for the fishery with high catch efficiency of commercial size shrimp and a low capture probability of undersized individuals. The results outlined in this article could be used to develop management plans for small-scale trap fisheries as a basis for developing viable enterprises in remote coastal communities.acceptedVersio