Selected publications

The authors have tightened up the definitions of aquaponics and created a calculation model for resource use. They argue that the coupling of internal flows, for example of water, nutrients and energy, must be evaluated. After all, it is the cycle idea that ultimately makes aquaponics sustainable.

The new global biodiversity framework (GBF) must drive action to reverse the decline of biodiversity. However, the draft goals and targets fail to set out these clear outcomes. The authors propose modifications that would help to reveal the specific contribution of each action and provide clarity on whether the achievement of action targets would be adequate to achieve the outcome goals.

The Arapaima is an endangered species of interest for sustainable aquaculture. The authors published an improved genome sequence and identified a Y-linked candidate gene for sex determination in males. A PCR test enables genotyping as a new tool for breeding and conservation of the Arapaima. It has already been used to distinguish males from females at the IGB as well.

The authors have summarised and evaluated the scientific literature on recreational ecology in a meta-study. Although all recreational activities can have negative impacts on plants, animals and the environment, they conclude that boat traffic and shoreline use have the most consistently negative impacts. 

The authors outline key mechanisms by which fishing can change the shoaling tendency and collective behaviour of exploited species – an issue that is rarely considered and poorly understood. They highlight potential consequences for fish populations and food webs, and discuss possible repercussions for fisheries and conservation strategies.

Developed in the context of the European Water Framework Directive, 24 fish-based ecological assessment systems for lakes across 21 countries were analyzed by a team of European fish experts. In total, 177 metrics are applied, addressing multiple anthropogenic pressures, predominantly lake eutrophication, hydromorphological alterations, fisheries and occurrence of non-natives.

The study provides insights into how large-bodied marine predators react toward wildlife tourism associated provisioning and allows further discussion about daily energy uptake during provisioning dives, its potential impacts on the ecological role of the target species and associated management measures. 

The authors state that the reproductive capacity of large fish is underestimated. Even worse, it is the large fish which are targeted and removed by fisheries. The study shows that the replenishment potential of many fish stocks is overestimated. This increases the risk of overfishing. Especially the largest fish should be protected to a greater degree than is presently the case.