
Frederic CasalsUniversitat de Lleida | UDL · Department of Animal Science
Frederic Casals
Ph.D. Biology
About
52
Publications
11,781
Reads
How we measure 'reads'
A 'read' is counted each time someone views a publication summary (such as the title, abstract, and list of authors), clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the full-text. Learn more
819
Citations
Citations since 2017
Introduction
Frederic Casals currently works at the Department of Animal Science, Universitat de Lleida. Frederic does research in River and Fish Ecology.
Additional affiliations
November 1993 - present
November 1993 - March 2016
Publications
Publications (52)
As the number of introduced species keeps increasing unabatedly, identifying and prioritising current and potential Invasive Alien Species (IAS) has become essential to manage them. Horizon Scanning (HS), defined as an exploration of
potential threats, is considered a fundamental component of IAS management. By combining scientific knowledge on
tax...
Trends and ecological consequences of phosphorus (P) decline and increasing nitrogen (N) to phosphorus (N:P) ratios in rivers and estuaries are reviewed and discussed. Results suggest that re‐oligotrophication is a dominant trend in rivers and estuaries of high‐income countries in the last two‐three decades, while in low‐income countries widespread...
Freshwater systems are among the most threatened ecosystems worldwide, and fish species inhabiting them are increasingly endangered by different pressures. One of the most important tools in the European Union (EU) to halt this decline is the Natura 2000 network (N2000). The Habitat Directive (HD) includes freshwater habitats and 39 native fish spe...
Gillnet selectivity is poorly understood for most freshwater fish species, particularly for invasive alien species. However, their use to determine mesh selectivity could be essential for establishing management measures, such as the selective removal of exotic invasive species. This study aims to the assess size selectivity of exotic invasive spec...
We provide a unique fish individual body size dataset collected from our own sampling and public sources in north-eastern Spain. The dataset includes individual body size measures (fork length and mass) of 12,288 individuals of 24 fish species within 10 families collected at 118 locations in large rivers and small streams. Fish were caught by one-p...
The stress-gradient hypothesis predicts that biotic interactions within food webs are context dependent, since environmental stressors can attenuate consumer–prey interactions. Yet, how heavy metal pollution influences the impacts of predatory fish on ecosystem structure is unknown. This study was conducted in the Osor stream (Spain), which feature...
Código de conduta para aquariofilia. Documento técnico preparado por LIFE INVASAQUA (LIFE17 GIE/ES/000515).
Se presenta una lista actualizada de las especies exóticas que se encuentran en etapa de establecimiento o de propagación de la invasión en aguas continentales de la península ibérica. La lista está basada en la evaluación sistemática de los datos en colaboración con un amplio equipo de expertos de España y Portugal. Esta lista de actualización es...
An updated list is presented of the alien species in the establishment or spread invasion stage in in-land waters at the Iberian Peninsula. The list is based on a systematic assessment of information in collaboration with a wide expert team from Spain and Portugal. This updated list is an important tool supporting the implementation of the IAS Regu...
An updated list is presented of the alien species in the transport or introduction invasion stage in inland waters of the Iberian Peninsula. The list is based on a systematic assessment of information in collaboration with a wide expert team from Spain and Portugal. This list is an important tool to support the implementation of the IAS Regulation,...
Rivers are among the most biodiverse and endangered ecosystems on earth. In Europe, concern over their conservation promoted the development of legal instruments for habitat and species conservation, the Habitats Directive, and water resource management, the Water Framework Directive. This legal protection demanded the estimate of river ecosystem s...
El comercio electrónico, la actividad de comprar o vender productos en servicios on-line o por internet, es una parte vital y creciente de la economía global. Esta actividad incluye la comercialización y venta de animales y plantas, incluidas especies exóticas, y en ocasiones, también especies invasoras a pesar de su prohibición. Adquirir estas esp...
Els medis aquàtics continentals estan sotmesos a alteracions
en la quantitat i qualitat de l’aigua, la morfologia de les
riberes i la composició de les comunitats biològiques.
Malgrat la millora recent en la qualitat general dels ecosistemes
aquàtics, aquests es troben en un estat de conservació
desfavorable, i bona part de les espècies que hi...
This guide is available at: http://www.lifeinvasaqua.com/main-files/uploads/2020/11/LIBRO-ESPECIES-INVASORAS-INGLES-FINAL.pdf
This field guide is available on: http://www.lifeinvasaqua.com/main-files/uploads/2020/07/LIBRO-ESPECIES-INVASORAS-ESPA%C3%91OL-WEB-1.pdf
This field guide is available on: http://www.lifeinvasaqua.com/main-files/uploads/2020/07/LIBRO-ESPECIES-INVASORAS-ESPA%C3%91OL-WEB-1.pdf
Freshwater ecosystems are affected by multiple anthropogenic stressors, and their effects on aquatic communities is a current interest for ecologists. Moreover, freshwaters are experiencing the loss of fish. This study was conducted in Osor stream (Iberian Peninsula), which is affected by metal pollution and water diversion. Following a hydrologica...
Length–weight relationships (LWRs), condition factors, and their variation over time were analyzed for four exotic freshwater fish (bleak, common carp, pikeperch, and roach) in the Estany d’Ivars i Vila-sana shallow lake in Catalonia, Northern Spain. Fish samples were collected twice a year (early summer and autumn), between 2008 and 2016, by using...
Fisheries research, stock assessment and management often require the evaluation of ichthyological community composition and the evolution its structure across different spatial and temporal units. The use of gillnet to study freshwater fish populations in lenitic ecosystems is widely extended. But one of the most important applications is based on...
The analysis of length–weight relationships (LWRs) is a useful tool extensively used in fisheries research and management. LWRs can be modified by environmental conditions or developmental state of the fish, becoming a tool to evaluate fish condition. LWRs and their evolution over time were analysed for four exotic freshwater fish (bleak, common ca...
Flow regimes are important drivers of both stream community and biogeochemical processes. However, the interplay between community and biogeochemical responses under different flow regimes in streams is less understood. In this study, we investigated the structural and functional responses of periphyton and macroinvertebrates to different densities...
We’ve been monitoring the restored shallow Estany d’Ivars i Vila-sana during 9 years (2008-2016) sampling twice a year (spring/early summer and autumn) with multimesh gillnets. In total, 4619 fishes were captured belonging to 9 species
The combined effects of temperature and seawater acidification were investigated across larval stages of the European flat oyster Ostrea edulis, from veliger sizes released by gravid individuals to spat. Simultaneous experiments were also conducted to investigate the potential effects of reduced pH levels on bacterial growth that could provide a mo...
Freshwater ecosystems are among the most affected by anthropogenic disturbances, and fish have several advantages for monitoring them, such as the response at larger temporal and spatial scales and its visibility to the society. This chapter summarizes our experience in developing fish-based indices in Catalonia. We describe some differences observ...
The Water Framework Directive includes fish fauna as one of the biological elements, jointly with aquatic flora and benthic invertebrates, to assess and monitor water and habitat quality. Successful implementation of the Directive depends in part on the development of reliable, science-based tools to directly assess biological conditions. Although...
La península ibérica goza de una rica fauna de peces continentales, muchos de ellos endémicos y amenazados. Una de las causas de su declive es la introducción de especies exóticas o la translocación de algunas nativas a nuevas cuencas. En este trabajo, revisamos los impactos ecológicos de estas introducciones, desde los niveles genético e individua...
Ordeix M., Sostoa A., Maceda A., García-Berthou E., Benejam L., Casals F., Caiola N., Ibàñez C., Sellarès N., Pou-Rovira G., Rodríguez-Labajos B., Solà C., Bardina M., Casamitjana A. & Munné A. 2014. Els peixos dels rius i les zones humides de Catalunya. Qualitat biològica i connectivitat fluvial. Agència Catalana de l’Aigua ‒ Museu del Ter ‒ Eumo...
The knowledge of capture efficiency and side effects of electrofishing is essential for research and monitoring of stream fish populations. Differences amongst electrofishing crews have hardly been investigated and are particularly important given the on-going implementation of the Water Framework Directive and wide-ranging exchange of data worldwi...
The spatial distribution of closely related individuals can be inferred from genetic data and provides valuable information
about dispersal patterns and gene flow contributing to the population genetic structure of organisms. Here, we analyzed family
distribution of brown trout Salmo trutta in the uppermost reaches of the Mediterranean Son River ba...
A més de posar en evidència el valor natural i l’elevada riquesa d’aquest territori, l’estudi dels boscos, les pastures, el paisatge i els usos tradicionals han fet possible que en el llibre es proposin tot un seguit de criteris de gestió. També, que es posi de manifest que l’activitat humana ha contribuït a l’enriquiment de l’espai però, alhora, q...
The life-history tactics of the stone loach Barbatula barbatula were studied in a Mediterranean-type climate stream (Matarranya River) located in the Ebro River basin (north-east Spain). Maximum observed ages were 2+ years in both sexes (1% of individuals), although only 0+ and 1+ year age groups were well represented. It is the lowest longevity re...
1. North-eastern Spain is a hot spot for the introduction of alien fish species, and its native fish fauna is one of the most endangered worldwide. We used an extensive data set from 2002 to 2003 and historical information from the area to characterize fish diversity and establish conservation priorities in river catchments.
2. Diversity indices we...
Adjustment of the Index of Biotic integrity (IBICAT) based on the use of fish as indicators of the environmental quality of the rivers of Catalonia
The native freshwater fish fauna in the Iberian Peninsula is characterized by high diversification at species level, with the largest number of endemic species in Europe, due to the geologi-cal history of each basin (Doadrio 2001). After habitat destruction, the introduction of exotic species is the second major threat to this region. Over the last...
Mediterranean river systems are characterized by more diverse fish assemblages and regional ecological
processes compared with the rest of Europe. A data set from Mediterranean France, Iberia and Greece (�2000
sites) was used to describe the characteristics of fish assemblages, explore their responses to anthropogenic disturbance
and analyze the im...
Abstract A spatially based approach was used to analyse the response of fish-based metrics to human impacts in the Iberian Peninsula. A fish-based typology was established that distinguished one salmonid type (fish assemblages dominated by Salmo trutta fario L.), two mixed types (S. trutta fario associated with different cyprinids) and six cyprini...
Aim To analyse the patterns in species richness and endemism of the native European riverine fish fauna, in the light of the Messinian salinity crisis and the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM).Location European continent.
Methods After gathering native fish faunistic lists of 406 hydrographical networks, we defined large biogeographical regions with homog...
In complex aquatic ecosystems, intraspecific competition for food can evolve into dietary differences related to body size, gender, capture ability, and habitat use. The diet of the viperine snake, Natrix maura, an aquatic predator which forages on fish and amphibians, has been studied in parallel with food availability in a small locality of the M...
Fame group presentation, data from Southern Europe.
The viperine snake Natrix maura is a common water snake, which forages on aquatic prey such as fish and frogs in Western Mediterranean water bodies. Female viperine snakes collected from three populations at the Iberian Peninsula during the vitellogenesis period were compared. Mean clutch size and range, as well as the slope of the regression betwe...
Development, evaluation and implementation of a standardised fish-based assessment method for the ecological status of European rivers. Project description for FAME.
Projects
Projects (5)
LIFE INVASAQUA. Aquatic Invasive Alien Species of Freshwater and Estuarine Systems: Awareness and Prevention in the Iberian Peninsula
Coordinator
The Portuguese and Spanish societies have very limited understanding about the threats of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in aquatic ecosystems. This lack of knowledge and awareness about IAS problems hampers any management policy proposed by public administration and stakeholders, contributing to missing IAS management strategy, particularly for IAS that do not affect human health or major economic interests.
LIFE INVASAQUA (LIFE17 GIE / ES / 000515) seeks to reduce the introduction and spread of IAS in the Iberian Peninsula by increasing public and stakeholder awareness through information, communication and training campaigns, and by developing key tools to improve an early warning and rapid response (EWRR) framework for new IAS in freshwater and estuarine habitats.
• LIFE INVASAQUA (LIFE17 GIE/ES/000515) is an Environmental Governance and Information project co-financed by the European LIFE Program
• PROJECT LOCATION: Iberian Peninsula.
• DATE: 1 Nov 2018 - 31 October 2023
• TOTAL BUDGET: M 3,1 €
• COORDINATOR: Universidad de Murcia
• PARTNERS: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (Spain), Universidad de Navarra (Spain), Universidade de Évora (Portugal), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (Spain), Sociedad Ibérica de Ictiología (Spain, Portugal), Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza y los Recursos Naturales (Spain), Associação Portuguesa de Educação Ambiental (Portugal), Agencia EFE (Spain).
For more information please visit http://www.lifeinvasaqua.com/en/
Task 1: Effect-based monitoring studies of the direct and indirect effects of hydrological alteration and metal pollution on freshwater fish.
Task 2: Effects of hydrologic alteration, pollution and their interaction on fish abundance and distribution.
Task 3: Laboratory experiments on the effects of heavy metal pollution on the ecophysiological response of a native fish (Barbus meridionals).
Task 4: Relationships between hydrological alteration, critical swimming speed and life-history stategies in fish
A project held by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Ref: CGL2016-80820-R)
Lead researchers: Helena Guasch (helena.guasch@udg.edu) and Anna Vila-Gispert (anna.vila@udg.edu)
LIFE MIGRATOEBRE project is a best practices and a demonstration project for final stretches of major European Rivers, focused on long-term sustainable investments in Natura 2000 sites and on species
and habitats targeted by Habitats Directive conservation, at local and regional levels. The project is based on the implementation of mitigation measures in relation to rivers hydromorphology improvement, especially on rivers ecological connectivity and fish passage issues associated by the Water Framework Directive and the European Eel Recovery Plan (Regulation 1100/2007).
The main objectives of the LIFE MIGRATOEBRE project are the conservation of the endangered anadromous fish species (European sturgeon, European eel, twait shad and sea lamprey) and the restoration of the Ebre River ecological connectivity through the interconnection of natural areas included in the Natura 2000 network. The specific objectives of the project are:
1. Recover healthy and sustainable populations of migratory fish species -European sturgeon (Acipenser sturio), European eel (Anguilla anguilla), twaite shad (Alosa fallax) and sea lamprey (Petromizon marinus)- within 20-30 years in the lower Ebre river and delta.
2. Significantly improve the ecological connectivity of the lower Ebre river, adapting all the present obstacles of the final stretch (Xerta’s weir, Ascó’s weir and Flix dam) to allow fish migration (upstream and downstream); increasing more than tenfold the river spawning habitat
availability for European sturgeon, twaite shad and sea lamprey, and the distribution (and growth) area for European eel.
3. Involve community and a net of nature managers, farmers, fishermen, anglers, water managers, electric companies, tourism stakeholders, regional and local authorities working
together on migratory fish recovery and improved ecological management in the final stretch of the Ebre river, on long-term sustainable investments in Natura 2000 sites on conservation of species and habitats targeted by Habitats Directive.
4. Be an exemplary project at local scale, and progressivelly to integrally promote the improvement of the ecological connectivity at the Ebre river basin. I. e. In a second stept, at Riba-roja dam -to connect the lower Ebre with an important tributary, the Segre River- and Mequinença dam -to connect the lower Ebre with the middle Ebre basin-. And also to become a demonstration project by other principal Iberian –Guadalquivir, Guadiana, Miño- and some European Rivers as well.
More information at: www.migratoebre.eu