Fish assemblages of small estuaries of the Portuguese coast: A functional approach |
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Authors: | Inês Cardoso Susana França Miguel Pessanha Pais Sofia Henriques Luis Cancela da Fonseca Henrique N Cabral |
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Institution: | 1. Centro de Oceanografia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal;2. Faculdade de Ciências do Mar e Ambiente, Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal;3. Laboratório Marítimo da Guia / Centro de Oceanografia (FCUL), Av. N. Sra. do Cabo, 939, 2750-374 Cascais, Portugal;4. Centro de Biologia Ambiental, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal |
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Abstract: | The importance of estuaries for coastal environments is widely acknowledged but their role, structure and ecological status have been the focus of recent scientific efforts mainly concerning large estuarine areas. In this work we used fish assemblages to establish, for the first time, the functional and ecological role of five small estuarine systems along the Portuguese south and southwest coasts. Our results showed that, at a functional approach, fish communities did not differ between estuaries, and that all systems presented a seasonal pattern in diversity values, ecological and feeding guilds. These small estuaries contribute to the support of coastal fish populations by providing temporary habitats to the critical life stages of marine species, shelter and feeding grounds, and should be considered in an ecological and conservation perspective. |
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Keywords: | small estuaries estuarine use estuarine fish Portuguese coast |
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