- Programme area:Aquatic Ecosystem Services and Sustainability
Inland recreational fisheries contribute nutritional benefits and economic value but are vulnerable to climate change
The research team estimates that recreational fishing in lakes and rivers accounts for more than 11 per cent of the annually reported catches in inland fisheries worldwide. The analyzed total consumption value of harvested fish is around 10 billion US dollars per year. Due to climate change and direct human impacts on freshwater ecosystems, the productivity of important fish species is declining.
Mapping and monitoring peatland conditions from global to field scale
This paper reviews the current state of knowledge on mapping and monitoring peatlands from field sites to the globe and identifies areas where further research is needed. Simple peat characteristics such as degree of humification, dry bulk density or stoichiometry can be used as a proxy to estimate the carbon and nutrient fluxes in different degraded peatlands.
![Methods in Ecology and Evolution Methods in Ecology and Evolution](/system/files/image/Methods_Ecology_Evolution.jpg)
Positioning aquatic animals with acoustic transmitters
The paper offers an introduction to novel methods of high-resolution positional telemetry that provide guidance to practioners. It presents a summary of all techniques for fine-scale positioning of the movements of fish.
![Review_Fish_Biology&Fisheries Review_Fish_Biology&Fisheries](/system/files/image/Review_Fish_Biology%26Fisheries.jpg)
Global responses to the COVID-19 pandemic by recreational anglers: considerations for developing more resilient and sustainable fisheries
The study investigated the impact of COVID on recreational fisheries across the globe.The authors found COVID to increase local recreational fisheries participation but to reduce touristic recreational fisheries where travel restrictions were in place.
Socio-economic or environmental benefits from pondscapes? Deriving stakeholder preferences using analytic hierarchy process and compositional data analysis
The authors studied the needs and knowledge of stakeholders who own, work, research, or benefit from pondscapes in 8 countries. Using the analytic hierarchy process, this study shows that in general stakeholders in the European and Turkish demo-sites prefer environmental benefits, while stakeholders in the Uruguayan demo-sites rank the economic benefits higher.
![Science](/system/files/image/science.jpg)
Ecosystem-based management outperforms species-focused stocking for enhancing fish populations
In a large-scale effort, a research team in cooperation with angling clubs, has conducted whole-lake experiments in 20 lakes to improve ecological conditions. Habitat improvements were the most effective means to enhance fish populations, whereas fish stocking completely failed. The study emphasizes the importance of restoring habitats and improving natural ecosystem processes.
Cross-continental importance of CH4 emissions from dry inland-waters
Despite significant progress in quantifying greenhouse gas emissions from dry inland waters, little is known about methane (CH4). The authors determined CH4 emissions from dry sediments across continents and found that the CH4 contribution ranged from 10 to 21% of the equivalent CO2 emissions. Therefore, CH4 emissions from dry inland waters should be considered for the global carbon cycle.
Ecological impacts of water-based recreational activities on freshwater ecosystems: a global meta-analysis
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.
Fisheries-induced changes of shoaling behaviour: mechanisms and potential consequences
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.
Contrasting the motivations and wildlife-related value orientations of recreational fishers with participants of other outdoor and indoor recreational activities
The authors assessed the motivation and wildlife-related value orientations of outdoor recreations in a random telephone survey in Spain. Recreational fishers placed more importance on the motives “to be close to nature,” “to experience tranquility", “to get away from the demands of life", “to relax psychically”, “to stay with family”, “to get exercise”, compared to other recreational groups.