Environmental Change Impacts on Aquatic Animal Communities

Dear Colleagues,

Freshwater fauna play vital ecological roles as seed dispersers, nutrient cyclers, and predators, helping maintain aquatic ecosystem stability. However, in the Anthropocene, human-driven disturbances—such as dam construction, pollution, riparian vegetation loss, and climate change—are increasingly threatening fish populations and their habitats.

This special issue seeks interdisciplinary research on the ecology, conservation, and responses of freshwater fauna to changing environments. We welcome studies examining species' responses to land-use shifts, emerging stressors (e.g., microplastics, agrochemicals), urbanization effects, and innovative conservation strategies.

Contributions employing ecological modeling, biodiversity assessments, or sustainability frameworks are particularly encouraged. Importantly, we urge authors to propose direct, actionable solutions to mitigate these threats—whether through landscape restoration, policy recommendations, or community engagement.

Findings should be communicated in accessible language to aid managers, policymakers, and stakeholders in implementing effective measures, such as designing freshwater-friendly agricultural systems or fostering public awareness initiatives. By bridging science and practice, this collection aims to inform strategies that safeguard freshwater faunal communities amid rapid environmental change.

Prof. Dr. Thiago Bernardi Vieira
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fishes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.