Pusey, Brad, Kennard, Mark, Burrows, Damien, Perna, Colton, Kyne, Peter, Cook, Ben, and Hughes, Jane (2011) Freshwater fish. In: Pusey, B.J., (ed.) Aquatic Biodiversity in Northern Australia: Patterns, Threats and Future. CDU Press, Darwin, NT, pp. 71-92.

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Abstract

[Extract] Fish are an important component of the fauna of aquatic ecosystems of northern Australia. They contribute substantially to the overall biodiversity in the region and are critical components of riverine and wetland food webs. Fish occur at all secondary levels of food webs, consuming primary production (algae, terrestrial detritus and fruits) and planktonic and epibenthic insects and crustaceans, as well as other fish. They also figure prominently in the diet of other aquatic or semiaquatic organisms, such as snakes and monitor lizards, waterbirds, crocodiles and, of course, people. Fish also shift carbon produced in one area (e.g. floodplains) to other areas as they move between upstream tributaries or downstream estuaries and near-shore marine environments. Fish are economically important (e.g. the commercial and recreational barramundi fisheries of northern Australia), as well as spiritually and culturally vital in the lives of Indigenous people of the north.

Item ID:	21374
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN:	978-0-9808641-1-3
Date Deposited:	16 Apr 2012 04:54
FoR Codes:	05 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES > 0502 Environmental Science and Management > 050211 Wildlife and Habitat Management @ 50% 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060204 Freshwater Ecology @ 50%
SEO Codes:	96 ENVIRONMENT > 9604 Control of Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species > 960406 Control of Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species in Fresh, Ground and Surface Water Environments @ 50% 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960807 Fresh, Ground and Surface Water Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 50%
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