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Marine and Freshwater Research

Marine and Freshwater Research

Marine and Freshwater Research is a multidisciplinary journal publishing original research and reviews on all aquatic environments and subject areas. Read more about the journalMore

Editor-in-Chief: Max Finlayson

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Marine and Freshwater Research is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 21 November 2024

MF24154Evidence of long-distance movement of green sawfish (Pristis zijsron) in Western Australia

Jack Ingelbrecht 0000-0002-9876-5153, Mark G. Allen, Rebecca L. Bateman, Brendan C. Ebner, Travis Fazeldean, Kurt N. Krispyn, Karissa O. Lear 0000-0002-2648-8564, Tegan Lee, Alan J. Lymbery, Rory B. McAuley, Nicole M. Phillips, Jeff M. Whitty, Barbara E. Wueringer and David L. Morgan
 

Kinship for green sawfish was inferred from single-nucleotide polymorphisms. We identified four pairs of half siblings that were captured at least 500 km apart, including one pair of neonates captured ~860 km and 8 years apart, providing evidence of long-distance movement.

MF24154 Abstract  |  MF24154 Full Text  | MF24154PDF (888 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 18 November 2024

MF24156Timor-Leste: preliminary assessment of a rapidly eroding landscape in the Coral Triangle

R. J. Wasson 0000-0003-4318-1182, A. L. Amaral, J. Rouwenhorst, K. Fifield, N. Chauhan, T. Pietsch, D. M. Alongi, F. Tirendi and A. K. Singhvi
 

Deforestation for timber collection and agriculture in the steep mountains of Timor-Leste, where rainfall is often intense, has increased erosion by up to 120 times the natural rate, mainly by landsliding. This has increased the amount of sediment in rivers and on the coast with effects on riverine and marine ecosystems. Reforestation is urgently needed.

MF24156 Abstract  |  MF24156 Full Text  | MF24156PDF (2.3 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 13 November 2024

MF24057Assessing coastal aquifer vulnerability to seawater intrusion: adaptation of the DCG method and application to the Dradère–Souière coastal aquifer in northern Morocco

Fouad Bekkour 0009-0002-5567-737X, Mina Amharref, Hind Es Saouini, Siham Acharki and Abdes Samed Bernoussi
 

The DCG method assesses the risk of seawater mixing with groundwater by evaluating distance from the sea, water movement ease and flow direction in aquifers. Tested in Morocco’s Dradère–Souière plain, it uses a special formula (vulnerability index, Iv) to pinpoint vulnerable coast, offering a practical tool for global coastal regions to protect their precious underground water sources from seawater intrusion.

MF24057 Abstract  | PDF (5.4 MB) - $35.00   | MF24057Supplementary Material (888 KB)
Published online 13 November 2024

MF24083Baseline assessment of microplastics and biochemical response of Anadara antiquata as a sentinel species for biomonitoring in Fiji

Rufino Varea 0000-0002-3002-6944, Jasha Dehm 0000-0002-9325-2826 and Francis Mani
 

Researchers in Fiji found microplastics in 64% of local edible cockles, with higher levels of microplastics and associated biological stress signs in the edible cockles from more polluted areas. The findings highlighted the need for continuous environmental and biomonitoring of pollution effects in seafood. This scientific contribution will inform and shape future policy on regulating pollution and promoting human-health needs in seafood quality.

MF24083 Abstract  | PDF (1.4 MB) - $35.00 
Published online 11 November 2024

MF24082Estimation of soil loss and sediment yield by using the modified RUSLE model in the Indus River basin, including the quantification of error and uncertainty in remote-sensing images

Muhammad Waseem Boota 0000-0003-0770-0715, Shan-e-hyder Soomro 0000-0003-1708-8451, Haoming Xia, Yaochen Qin, Syed Shahid Azeem, Chaode Yan, Weiran Luo, Ayesha Yousaf and Muhammad Azeem Boota
 

On the basis of the RUSLE model in LIR basin, key findings indicated varying degrees of soil erosion, with a significant portion experiencing severe erosion. The research also addressed the quantification of errors or uncertainties in remote-sensing data, particularly highlighting differences in delineation accuracy among Landsat 5, 7 and 8. The outcomes are essential for watershed management, offering insights into critical erosion sites and aiding in the development of conservation strategies.

This article belongs to the collection Ecological monitoring and assessment of freshwater ecosystems: new trends and future challenges.

MF24082 Abstract  | PDF (9.3 MB) - $35.00   | MF24082Supplementary Material (731 KB)
Published online 28 October 2024

MF23212Abundance, size and biomass of long-spined sea urchins (Centrostephanus rodgersii) and red sea urchins (Heliocidaris tuberculata) in New South Wales, Australia

C. Blount 0000-0003-2681-4021, D. G. Worthington, M. Byrne, R. C. Chick 0000-0002-9397-6664, K. Organ, N. Knott 0000-0002-7873-0412 and N. L. Andrew
 

This study provides a historical baseline of densities, sizes and biomasses of long-spined sea urchins (Centrostephanus rodgersii) and red sea urchins (Heliocidaris tuberculata) commercially harvested on shallow reefs of New South Wales, Australia. Long-spined sea urchins occurred at higher densities than did red sea urchins and had a broader distribution and larger biomass where the fishery operates. The small biomass of red sea urchins (~3% that of long-spined sea urchins) and its restricted distribution suggests that it is vulnerable to overfishing.

MF23212 Abstract  |  MF23212 Full Text  | MF23212PDF (1.1 MB)  | MF23212Supplementary Material (715 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 21 October 2024

MF24099The life (history), diet and death of the blackspot shark (Carcharhinus sealei) from South-east Asia

N. Clark-Shen 0000-0002-8003-6681, A. Chin, J. Domingos and N. Hutchinson 0000-0002-8782-3493
 

Blackspot sharks from Riau Islands, Indonesia, have a late maturity (~6 years old) and low fecundity (litters of two pups). Mature males primarily eat bony fishes, mature females primarily eat cephalopods, whereas juveniles primarily eat crustaceans. A seafood supplier who was interviewed has perceived population declines and stated that the species is mostly caught incidentally.

MF24099 Abstract  |  MF24099 Full Text  | MF24099PDF (2.9 MB)  | MF24099Supplementary Material (827 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 18 October 2024

MF24050Closing the driver–response loop for halting and reversing wetland degradation and loss from agriculture

C. M. Finlayson 0000-0001-9991-7289, M. S. Fennessy, R. C. Gardner, R. Kumar, M. P. McCartney 0000-0001-6342-2815 and A. A. van Dam
 

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands has addressed wetland–agriculture interactions, but without linking policy responses to agricultural drivers of change. An analysis of Convention documents led to four conclusions to close the loop. These covered deepening our understanding of how agriculture affects wetlands; exploring appropriate opportunities within agriculture to reduce impacts on wetlands; enhancing our ability to work with indirect drivers such as the demands for food; and ensuring that Convention documents were specific about the drivers of change and possible responses.

MF24050 Abstract  |  MF24050 Full Text  | MF24050PDF (991 KB)  | MF24050Supplementary Material (666 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 17 October 2024

MF24094Spatial and temporal variation of marine megafauna off coastal beaches of south-eastern Queensland, Australia

Maddison C. Cross 0009-0002-4844-4164, Jonathan D. Mitchell, Christine L. Dudgeon, Kathy A. Townsend, Tracey B. Scott-Holland and Bonnie J. Holmes
 

Studying beach environments by using boat-based methods has been difficult. Drone surveys were used to assess abundance patterns of large marine animals in south-eastern Queensland, Australia. Significant differences in the composition of animal groups were found throughout the year and among locations, with large marine animal sightings in >80% of flights conducted off North Stradbroke Island. This supports the use of drones to provide scientific data for hard-to-study marine species and inform management of coastal ecosystems.

MF24094 Abstract  |  MF24094 Full Text  | MF24094PDF (9.3 MB)  | MF24094Supplementary Material (629 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 16 October 2024

MF24046Climate extreme triggers cold-water community rescue

B. C. Ebner 0000-0001-8808-4998, J. Lobegeiger, J. Coe, S. Balcombe, D. Latimer, G. Pickering and J. C. Marshall
 

We rescued and temporarily housed multiple cold-water fauna (mountain-top associated fishes and crayfish) in reacting to extreme drought. In captivity, predation and aggression both within and among species reduced survivorship. Further experimentation, adaptive management and infrastructure development is required to prepare for future rescues of cold-water fauna, based on likely climate-change scenarios.

This article belongs to the collection Environmental flows in northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice.

MF24046 Abstract  |  MF24046 Full Text  | MF24046PDF (3.3 MB)  | MF24046Supplementary Material (679 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 16 October 2024

MF24166An introduction to the collection ‘Environmental flows in northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice’

M. R. Southwell 0009-0007-7783-1821, P. F. Frazier, M. Peat, S. A. Banks, J. B. Shrubb, T. C. Kermode, L. A. Thurtell, S. Bowen and A. E. Prior
 

This paper is the foreword to a collection on monitoring and research outcomes related to water management in the northern Murray–Darling Basin (MDB), Australia. It provides background on the northern MDB, along with a summary of papers presented in the collection.

This article belongs to the collection Environmental flows in northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice.

MF24166 Full Text  | MF24166PDF (250 KB)

Published online 16 October 2024

MF24040Differential impacts of fire and inundation on a wetland plant community after wildfire

K. D. Mackay 0000-0003-1691-2226, B. Vincent, M. Southwell, I. Growns and S. Mika
 

Understanding fire and inundation impacts on wetland vegetation communities is crucial for effective post-fire wetland management. Here, we measured fire and inundation impacts on water-couch marshland in the Gwydir Wetlands and showed that fire was a major but short-term contributor to wetland vegetation change, whereas drought had longer-term impacts, and inundation regimes had the greatest impacts.

This article belongs to the collection Environmental flows in northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice.

MF24040 Abstract  |  MF24040 Full Text  | MF24040PDF (1.4 MB)  | MF24040Supplementary Material (556 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 16 October 2024

MF24053Risk v. reward for responsive movements by a highly mobile fish species in a flow-constrained and barrier-laden river

Gavin L. Butler 0000-0003-4933-5306, Leo M. Cameron, Daniel W. Coleman, Brendan C. Ebner 0000-0001-8808-4998, Jason D. Thiem 0000-0002-5585-8560 and Luke Carpenter-Bundhoo 0000-0002-9637-5231
 

We tracked golden perch in the highly modified Gwydir River to understand their response to different flows and the effect of barriers. Normally considered highly mobile, we found our golden perch to be highly constrained and largely sedentary, with little apparent connection to the wider population. The recovery and restoration of golden perch in the Murray–Darling Basin will require societal change.

This article belongs to the collection Environmental flows in northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice.

MF24053 Abstract  |  MF24053 Full Text  | MF24053PDF (1.3 MB)  | MF24053Supplementary Material (1.9 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 15 October 2024

MF23118Gain and loss: reflection on the rapid development of National Wetland Parks in China

Yinru Lei 0000-0003-4728-1308, Lijuan Cui, Wei Li, Ziliang Guo, Manyin Zhang 0000-0003-2771-5869, Swapan Paul and C. Max Finlayson 0000-0001-9991-7289
 

The number of National Wetland Parks (NWPs) distributed across China has grown from zero to more than 900 over the past two decades. Is this unlimited growth always beneficial? After analysing the distribution and dynamic trends of China’s NWPs, we examined the resource-orientated and legal drivers that prompted the growth and its far-reaching ecological, economic, social outcomes and impacts.

MF23118 Abstract  |  MF23118 Full Text  | MF23118PDF (1.2 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 14 October 2024

MF24055Toxicological consequences of polystyrene microplastics on Cirrhinus mrigala: effects on growth, body composition, nutrient digestibility, haematology and histopathology

Eram Rashid, Syed Makhdoom Hussain 0000-0001-5087-3887, Shafaqat Ali, Khalid A. Al-Ghanim and Pallab K. Sarker
 

MF24055_toc.jpg

Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a significant global issue. The current study was conducted to evaluate toxicological consequences of polystyrene MPs (PS-MPs) that alter growth, carcass, nutrient digestibility, haematology and histopathology of Cirrhinus mrigala fish. After 90 days of trial, findings showed a negative corelation between MPs concentration and all parameters. (Image credit: Syed Makhdoom Hussain.)

MF24055 Abstract  | PDF (1.8 MB) - $35.00 

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

Most Read

The Most Read ranking is based on the number of downloads in the last 60 days from papers published on the CSIRO PUBLISHING website within the last 12 months. Usage statistics are updated daily.

Collections

Collections are a curation of articles relevant to a topical research area

Ecological monitoring and assessment of freshwater ecosystems: new trends and future challenges

Conservation efforts and restoration initiatives are crucial for improving biodiversity, ecological integrity, and ensuring the availability of clean water and other vital ecosystem services. This collection highlights the latest developments in these fields, as discussed at the 6th International Symposium on Water Pollution and Treatment 2023. The articles herein primarily concentrate on the sustainable enhancement of freshwater ecological system monitoring and assessment methods, the identification of indicator species, and the preservation of ecosystem services.

Collection Editor
Yong Xiao

Last Updated: 11 Nov 2024

Environmental flows in northern Murray–Darling Basin: what we know about the science and management after a decade of practice

Following the Basin Plan 2012, there has been a concerted effort from agencies and research institutions to manage and monitor flows and the environment in the Murray–Darling Basin. The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) funded extensive research programs in the northern Murray–Darling Basin during the period of time following the Basin Plan's release. With the Basin Plan scheduled for renewal in the next few years after 2024, this collection is intended to provide a focused source of information of flow management related research in the northern Murray–Darling Basin. This collection will be a resource for the creators of the next Basin Plan and improve understanding of flow management more broadly in Australia and worldwide.

All papers in this collection are Open Access and the foreword by Southwell et al. is free to read.

Collection Editors
Paul Frazier, Sarah Mika, Neil Argent, Michael Peat, Sam Capon

Last Updated: 25 Oct 2024

Science in Sea Country

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have a long and enduring connection to Sea Country. The marine science community must actively embrace Indigenous knowledge and make space for it in our current publishing systems, as well as exploring new and innovative ways to share knowledge and encourage the next generation of Indigenous scientists. To that end, the Australian Marine Sciences Association presents this Collection focusing on ‘Science in Sea Country’.

Collection Editors
Alexandra Campbell, Mibu Fischer, Chris Frid, Mitchell Gibbs, Laura Parker and Rachel Przeslawski

Last Updated: 27 Feb 2024

Research into Chinese Wetlands

The 10th INTECOL International Wetlands Conference, held in Changshu, China, in September 2016, offered a platform to review and explore advances in research on wetland biodiversity, functions and ecosystem services and management. Hosted by the INTECOL Wetland Working Group, this international forum was an opportune time for Asian marine and freshwater researchers to present their research. This Collection contains a selection of nine articles published in Marine and Freshwater Research that showcase the range of research being undertaken within China.

Collection Editor
CM Finlayson, (Editor, Marine and Freshwater Research)

Last Updated: 12 Sep 2016

Shark and Ray Life History

Sharks and rays comprise an increasingly threatened group of aquatic predators. As the world’s shark and ray populations decline, improved conservation and management of these species is critical. Recognising that life history parameters form the basis for much of this research, we have compiled this ‘Shark and Ray Life History’ Collection of papers from Marine and Freshwater Research.

Last Updated: 13 Mar 2015

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