A fresh look at tidal wetlands in remote northern Australia revealed their remarkable responses to changing climate. Mangrove and saltmarsh–saltpan vegetative communities appear to act as one ecological niche. With varying rainfall patterns, one expands and the other contracts, while the combined area remains more or less unchanged. The model developed to explain this likely process demonstrated that such notable rainfall-induced influences are predictable.

The degree of connectivity between populations of the clonal seagrass Zostera muelleri in south-eastern Australia was analysed using genetic techniques. Regionally, the populations were found to have high clonal diversity, were strongly differentiated and generally existed in isolation from one another. However, three of the estuaries studied showed some degree of connectivity, indicating a sharing of genetic material between the sites.

The Pearl River has become the most highly affected river in the world that substantially changes the hydrological regime. The long-time spatial-distribution patterns of total suspended matter (TSM) in the estuary of this river were first identified by satellite images from 2003 to 2011. TSM concentration, a decreasing trend from western onshore to offshore waters, and extreme climate events (e.g. EI Niño and La Niña) may have a significant effect on spatiotemporal variation of TSM. This paper presents a new insight to TSM dynamics and river-catchment management.

Long-distance marine larval dispersal may hinder genetic differentiation in widespread amphidromous species. This study demonstrated that the specimens from the shrimp Atya scabra are genetically connected within subcontinental regions but also highlighted phylogeographic structuring throughout its range-wide distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. Species known for long-distance marine larval dispersal potential should be genetically characterised in their wide distribution, so as to better understand their evolutionary history, systematics and decision-making processes in conservation.

Spatial variations and organism–sediment relationship are paramount subjects of soft-bottom ecology. We explored this subject on a small tropical Brazilian estuary focusing on tardigrades. These animals were the second-most abundant meiofaunal taxon, being represented by Batillipes dandarae and B. pennaki. Spatial variations occurred in both dry and rainy seasons, mostly related to differences in the sediment granulometry, with both tardigrades being associated with medium sand.

We investigated the timing and flow requirements for downstream spawning migrations and upstream dispersal of sea mullet and pinkeye mullet in a regulated river using a combination of acoustic telemetry, passive integrated transponder tags and gonad maturity assessment. Both species undertook downstream spawning migrations from February to March on high-flow events, which enabled passage over large weirs. Juvenile upstream dispersal occurred from November to April mostly during low flows.

Habitat, time and food, and how these are modulated by the intrinsic characteristics of species, are considered the pillars of population dynamics. Studies of trophic ecology contribute to our understanding of the processes that regulate population dynamics. This information is crucial for conservation actions in general, but becomes even more important for the conservation of species that have restricted areas of occurrence, such as endemic species.

Here, we tested how fertilisation, sedimentation and presence of the seaweed Ulva can affect the seagrass Zostera mülleri and its associated invertebrates. Results of two different experiments provided evidence that sedimentation can destabilise the interaction among seagrass, seaweed and invertebrates and highlighted the importance of these interactions in estuarine ecosystems characterised by low biodiversity and stressful environmental conditions.

In a double-blind workshop study, international otolith experts interpreted the age of known age larval and juvenile Engraulis ringens reared in a quasi-natural environment for periods of up to 103 days. This study confirmed the hypothesis of rapid growth and young age through the juvenile stage for anchoveta, and questioned the accuracy of existing annual age interpretations. The otolith interpretation principles outlined in this study may apply broadly across many small pelagic fish species.

Recent years have seen several studies undertaken to understand larval dispersal using Lagrangian models. This study explored the drift of larvae over the North Atlantic using Lagrangian simulations during the 20th century. The increase in the percentage of particles able to cross the Atlantic and the decrease in the minimum travel period were in agreement with changes in eddy kinetic energy along the Gulf Stream path.

Two traps with different entrances (open funnels or slits) were tested for catching invasive crabs. Setting baited traps overnight resulted in similar catches between the two pot types, but traps with slits caught more eels. To investigate organism detention within the traps, catch fluctuations over a period of 4 days were examined. Slits reduced the escape of most organisms because the entrances closed, and such traps will have negative effects if lost at sea.

In areas with high recreational use or large carnivorous vertebrates, traditional fish sampling can be problematic. In this study, we compared seine sampling with video assessment of fish abundance and diversity in three springs that differed in water clarity and structure. Video sampling performed as well or better than did seine sampling in estimating fish-assemblage structure in these clear springs.

This study describes the reproductive biology of the humpback smooth-hound shark (Mustelus whitneyi) in the south-east Pacific. Pregnant females measured between 73- and 118-cm total length (TL). The number of embryos per litter ranged from 6 to 18. Size at birth ranged between 21 and 22 cm TL. The gestation period had a minimum duration of 7 months and a synchronous cycle. This shark exhibits a placental viviparity reproductive strategy. This study represents the most comprehensive research of the reproductive biology for this species.

The global monetary value of natural wetlands, using new information on areas of wetland classes, is re-estimated as a minimum of Int$47.4 trillion per year, over 40% of the value of all natural biomes. Coastal wetlands, although forming only 15% of all natural wetlands, are estimated as delivering over 40% of the value of all wetlands.

New and adjusted information on the areas of tidal flats, salt marshes, mangroves and seagrass beds updates the estimated global area of coastal wetlands to a minimum of 1.4 × 10⁶ km², and of all wetlands to minimum of 15.0 × 10⁶–16.0 × 10⁶ km².