title: Trends of a bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus) population in a man-made ditch network.
abstract: This study describes the trends of a bitterling population in the Bourgneuf Marsh in relation to human activities. Although there were no bitterling during the period 1987-91, the species rapidly colonized the ditch network sampled (density reaching 61.7 +/- 47.0 individuals/100 m2 and frequency of occurrence around 70-75%) during a 5-year period (1997-2001). Clearance operations probably favoured the expansion of this vulnerable fish species because of positive associations of bitterling with large and deep ditches that had been cleared in the last 2-3 years and characterized by a small cover of submerged plants. Management recommendations are discussed for conserving the bitterling population.
authors.affiliation: Université de Rennes 1, UMR ECOBIO 6553, Av. du Gl Leclerc, 35042 Rennes, France. alexandre.carpentier@univ-rennes1.fr
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carpentier
authors.forename: Jean-Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Paillisson
authors.forename: Loïc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marion
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Feunteun
authors.forename: Aurore
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baisez
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rigaud
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000379:methods*; D003530:Cyprinidae; D017753:Ecosystem; D004777:Environment; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D011156:Population Density; D013997:Time Factors