Fishes in Lagoons and Estuaries in the Mediterranean 1: Diversity, Bioecology and Exploitation [Hardcover]

Lagoons and estuaries are transition spaces between earth and sea. Beyond their expanse, geographic repartition, geomorphological, hydroclimatic and ecobiological diversity and biodiversity, they play an important role in regional economies and are some of the ecosystems most vulnerable to global change.

Reinforced by numerous references, this book studies Mediterranean lagoonal and estuarine fishes whose diversity largely depends on the composition of neighboring marine and continental ichtyofauna. The authors describe their morphological, biological, ecological and behavioral characteristics by evoking their distinctive features and differences with their marine or freshwater homologues. Their adaptation strategies, elucidated thanks to recent advances in morphology, genetics and molecular biology, are recognized as a major advantage in the context of climate change.

This book is for natural environment managers, engineers, teachers, students and researchers.

Foreword ix

Preface xi

Introduction xiii

Chapter 1. Mediterranean Lagoons and Estuaries 1

1.1. What is a lagoon and what is an estuary? 2

1.2. Lagoons and estuaries of the Mediterranean: characteristics,inventory and classification 8

1.3. Some recurrent preconceived ideas and problems concerning lagoons 14

1.4. Geological, geographic and physicochemical types of lagoon 15

1.4.1. According to their geological origin 15

1.4.2. According to their connections with the sea 16

1.4.3. According to their physical chemistry 17

1.4.4. According to their haline system 17

1.4.5. According to their nutrient content 18

1.4.6. According to their geographic position and connection with the se