Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.8
3.9
Journals
Sustainability
Special Issues
Biodiversity in Freshwater
sustainability-logo
Submit to Sustainability Review for Sustainability Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Biodiversity in Freshwater

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Water Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 November 2022) | Viewed by 9160

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Hyunbin Jo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Environment and Energy, Pusan National University, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
Interests: fish; eDNA; prey–predator interaction
Dr. Dong-Kyun Kim

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
K-water Institute, Korea Water Resources Cooperation, Daejeon 34350, Korea
Interests: ecological modeling; freshwater ecology; water quality prediction; water resource management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Freshwater ecosystems are currently among the most threatened systems in the world.  Accordingly, it is important to detect and assess changes in biodiversity to ensure proper management and conservation of these valuable ecosystems.  

Classic quantitative techniques are usually applied to monitor aquatic communities and provide useful information for managers. However, these techniques can be limited by biased sampling and incomplete data.  The emergence of several new techniques, such as artificial  networks, remote sensing, stable isotopes, and DNA methods, may overcome these limitations. 

The purpose of this Special Issue is to compile a set of papers dealing with these wider aspects of innovative monitoring techniques for biodiversity, showing experiences and applying the lessons learned, and transferring technologies from freshwater ecosystems. Topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Environmental DNA monitoring;
  • Meta-barcoding approach;
  • Bulk DNA in environmental samples;
  • Monitoring: remote sensors, communications, and data analytics;
  • Ecological modeling based on ecological monitoring data;
  • Food-web structure in freshwater ecosystem;
  • Conservation and management of freshwater biodiversity.

Dr. Hyunbin Jo
Dr. Dong-Kyun Kim
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • freshwater ecosystem
  • biodiversity
  • classic quantitative techniques
  • innovative monitoring techniques

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

14 pages, 1989 KiB  
Article
Application of DNA Metabarcoding for Identifying the Diet of Asian Clam (Corbicula fluminea, Müller, 1774)
by Yu-Ji Heo, Hyunbin Jo, Ji Yoon Kim, Gu-Yeon Kim, Gea-Jae Joo and Hyun-Woo Kim
Sustainability 2023, 15(1), 441; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010441 - 27 Dec 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1619
Abstract
Corbicula has often been reported as one of the most invasive freshwater species in the world. It plays an important role in the food chains of brackish water zones in Korea, where it is predominant. However, detailed information on the Corbicula diet is [...] Read more.
Corbicula has often been reported as one of the most invasive freshwater species in the world. It plays an important role in the food chains of brackish water zones in Korea, where it is predominant. However, detailed information on the Corbicula diet is still lacking. The purpose of this study was to identify the potential prey of Corbicula fluminea in the Seomjin River using a DNA metabarcoding approach, as very little is known about its feeding selectivity in natural conditions. A survey was conducted at two study sites (1 and 2) in the Seomjin River in November 2021. The two sites were selected based on increasing salinity gradient. The dominant operational taxonomic unit in the pseudofeces and gut content of C. fluminea was Microcyclops varicans (Copepoda) and Oncorhynchus mykiss (Fish), respectively. The alpha diversity at site 1 was higher than that at site 2. More diverse potential prey species were identified at the site with low salinity (i.e., site 1). The utilization of this method is strongly recommended for determining specific predator–prey relationships in complex estuarine ecosystem. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Freshwater)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 3176 KiB  
Article
Population Structure and Morphological Pattern of the Black-Spotted Pond Frog (Pelophylax nigromaculatus) Inhabiting Watershed Areas of the Geum River in South Korea
by Jun-Kyu Park, Ki Wha Chung, Ji Yoon Kim and Yuno Do
Sustainability 2022, 14(24), 16530; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416530 - 09 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1309
Abstract
Black-spotted pond frogs (Pelophylax nigromaculatus), widely distributed in East Asia, can be suitably used for the study of population genetic patterns and ecosystem monitoring. To systematically manage, conserve, and study this species, it is necessary to understand its habitat range. We [...] Read more.
Black-spotted pond frogs (Pelophylax nigromaculatus), widely distributed in East Asia, can be suitably used for the study of population genetic patterns and ecosystem monitoring. To systematically manage, conserve, and study this species, it is necessary to understand its habitat range. We analyzed the genetic and morphological range of black-spotted pond frog populations within a watershed of the Geum River, one of the main rivers in South Korea. We genotyped the frogs based on seven microsatellite loci and defined the skull shape based on landmark-based geometric morphometrics. One watershed area was divided into 14 sub-watershed areas, the smallest unit of the Geum River basin. The genetic structure of frogs among the 14 sub-watershed areas did not differ significantly, nor was correlated with geographic distance. Therefore, frogs within these watershed areas constitute a single population. Morphologically, they differed between some sub-watershed areas, but morphological distance did not correlate with genetic distance but rather with geographic distance. This morphological change differs depending on the environmental gradient rather than the genetic structure. As a single population, frogs in this watershed area need to be managed in an integrated way. We suggest that the identification of response and adaptation by population genetics must be compared across and beyond the watershed range. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Freshwater)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 990 KiB  
Article
Prey Identification of the Little Tern, Sternula albifrons (Pallas, 1764), by Applying DNA Barcoding to Fecal Materials
by Hyunbin Jo, Ji-Deok Jang, Keon-Young Jeong, Jeong-An Gim, Gea-Jae Joo and Kwang-Seuk Jeong
Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 11945; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141911945 - 22 Sep 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1192
Abstract
This study describes the prey DNA fragments found in the feces of a migratory bird species, the little tern, Sternula albifrons (Pallas, 1764), based on a DNA barcoding approach. This species is found in Nakdong Estuary, South Korea, and is a species designated [...] Read more.
This study describes the prey DNA fragments found in the feces of a migratory bird species, the little tern, Sternula albifrons (Pallas, 1764), based on a DNA barcoding approach. This species is found in Nakdong Estuary, South Korea, and is a species designated as ‘Least Concern’ (IUCN Red List). Prey identification is a central issue of population conservation, and we applied DNA barcoding (using cytochrome oxidase I; COI) to fecal materials from little tern individuals. We successfully identified prey consumed by little tern individuals. All prey items comprised one phylum including three classes, six orders, and eight families based on a robust dual certification scheme (combined analysis of BLASTn searches and phylogenetic tree construction). Even though the success of identification was largely dependent on the degree of completion of the database in the genebank or BOLD systems, an increased resolution of prey identification to species level is important in predator–prey research. The current study used a small number of fecal samples to evaluate the applicability of the COI barcoding region to avifaunal feces, and more fecal samples are expected to convey increased information that can be used to infer the range of the prey species of little terns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Freshwater)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 1511 KiB  
Article
Identifying Popular Frogs and Attractive Frog Calls from YouTube Data
by Jun-Kyu Park, Woong-Bae Park and Yuno Do
Sustainability 2022, 14(16), 10258; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141610258 - 18 Aug 2022
Viewed by 1285
Abstract
Public interest in and preferences for certain species can sometimes provide an opportunity for conservation and management. Here, we attempted to identify ‘popular’ anurans from YouTube data. In addition, the attractiveness of anuran advertisement-calling sounds were analyzed using acoustic data. By searching YouTube [...] Read more.
Public interest in and preferences for certain species can sometimes provide an opportunity for conservation and management. Here, we attempted to identify ‘popular’ anurans from YouTube data. In addition, the attractiveness of anuran advertisement-calling sounds were analyzed using acoustic data. By searching YouTube with the search term ‘frog calling’, 250 videos were selected. Of these, 174 videos could be classified according to species; these videos aided in extracting clean calling sounds, free from the overlapping calls of other male frogs, as well as other sounds. To assess the interests and preferences of viewers for different species, the numbers of videos, view counts, ‘likes,’ and ‘dislikes’ were recorded. From the videos, the calls of 78 species belonging to 17 families were identified. Viewer interest was highest for the Hylidae and Ranidae species, which are often discoverable in the field. In addition, invasive frogs had large numbers of videos and large numbers of ‘likes.’ People tended to prefer frogs calling with lower dominant frequencies. However, there were few videos on endangered species, and these garnered relatively less interest than other species. To manage and conserve invasive or endangered frog species, there is a need to increase ecological understanding by adjusting species awareness and charisma. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Freshwater)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 1682 KiB  
Article
Optimal Method for Biomass Estimation in a Cladoceran Species, Daphnia Magna (Straus, 1820): Evaluating Length–Weight Regression Equations and Deriving Estimation Equations Using Body Length, Width and Lateral Area
by Doyeong Ku, Yeon-Ji Chae, Yerim Choi, Chang Woo Ji, Young-Seuk Park, Ihn-Sil Kwak, Yong-Jae Kim, Kwang-Hyeon Chang and Hye-Ji Oh
Sustainability 2022, 14(15), 9216; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159216 - 27 Jul 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1594
Abstract
Assessing the biomass of zooplankton compensates for the difference between number of individuals and the accumulated body weight of the community, which helps assess aquatic ecosystem food web functions. Daphnia are crustaceans that play an intermediate role in biological interactions within food webs. [...] Read more.
Assessing the biomass of zooplankton compensates for the difference between number of individuals and the accumulated body weight of the community, which helps assess aquatic ecosystem food web functions. Daphnia are crustaceans that play an intermediate role in biological interactions within food webs. The morphology and body specification of Daphnia differ during growth; hence, it is essential to apply species-specific equations to estimate biomass. We evaluated the length–weight regression equations used previously to estimate Daphnia magna biomass and conducted regression analyses using various body specifications and biomass measurements taken directly using devices such as a microbalance and microscopic camera. Biomass estimated using an equation from the Environmental Protection Agency was significantly different from the direct measurement: average biomass was lower, indicating that the equation possibly underestimated actual biomass. The biomass of D. magna had a higher multiple R2 value when length was compared with width and area, and a linear regression equation was the most suitable equation for biomass estimation. Because body specifications and biomass are affected by various environmental factors, the development of accurate species-specific biomass estimation equations will contribute to obtaining fundamental data with which the biological responses of zooplankton to aquatic ecosystem changes can be assessed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Freshwater)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 3077 KiB  
Article
Impact of River-Reservoir Hybrid System on Zooplankton Community and River Connectivity
by Eui-Jeong Ko, Eunsong Jung, Yuno Do, Gea-Jae Joo, Hyun-Woo Kim and Hyunbin Jo
Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 5184; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095184 - 25 Apr 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1464
Abstract
Anthropogenic connectivity regulation in rivers, such as via weirs and dams, affects the plankton community. We hypothesized that the longitudinal similarity of the zooplankton community in a river could change in a river–reservoir hybrid system (RRHS). The impact of weir construction on zooplankton [...] Read more.
Anthropogenic connectivity regulation in rivers, such as via weirs and dams, affects the plankton community. We hypothesized that the longitudinal similarity of the zooplankton community in a river could change in a river–reservoir hybrid system (RRHS). The impact of weir construction on zooplankton communities in terms of species diversity, abundance, and community structure was examined biweekly at six sites on the Nakdong River for 14 years (before construction: 2002–2008; after construction: 2012–2018). We checked time-series alignment using a dynamic time-warping method between longitudinal survey sites. After RRHS, the zooplankton community showed an increasing number of species. However, RRHS decreased the longitudinal similarity in terms of number of zooplankton species and population density. Our results demonstrate the negative effect of lateral infrastructures on zooplankton populations due to river fragmentation and habitat alteration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biodiversity in Freshwater)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop