Abstract
A study of the Kinneret Littoral ecosystem is presented. Environmental parameters were integrated, aimed at evaluation of the Littoral ecosystem functioning: Water Level Fluctuations Index (WLFI), commercial fish landings with respect to stock assessment, fingerling food sources and density distribution, the beach vegetation impact, spawning intensity of nest builder-mouth breeder tilapias. It is concluded that WLFI is not affecting reproduction whilst long-term low WL altitude reduces the intensity of nesting by Sarotherodon galilaeus and Tristramella simonis simonis. Low WL did not affect reproduction of Coptodon zillii (Syn. Tilapia zillii). Density of fingerlings was not correlated with Inundated Beach vegetation during WL decline. Nevertheless, submerged macrophytes and shadowing Tamarix trees were preferably utilized by fingerling shoals as documented in the north-eastern half open lagoons of the lake shallows (Beteicha).
Highlights
The management design of Lake Kinneret encountered presently a decisionmaking dilemma of whether lake utilization for human welfare is possible without compromising on ecosystem structure and function
It is concluded that Water Level Fluctuations Index (WLFI) is not affecting reproduction whilst long-term low Water Level (WL) altitude reduces the intensity of nesting by Sarotherodon galilaeus and Tristramella simonis simonis
Lake Kinneret managers are presently confronting a complicated situation comprised of controversial factors of ecology which is the expansion of inundated nearby vegetation associated with lake water level decline
Summary
The management design of Lake Kinneret encountered presently a decisionmaking dilemma of whether lake utilization for human welfare is possible without compromising on ecosystem structure and function. Lake Kinneret managers are presently confronting a complicated situation comprised of controversial factors of ecology which is the expansion of inundated nearby vegetation associated with lake water level decline. S. galilaeus, O. aureus and T. simonis-simonis construct their nests on sandy-silty-clay muddy surface-plant free substrate at 0.5 - 3.0 m depth of water; C. zillii, construct different type and size nests from shallow wide depression beneath aquatic plants and on pebbles, to deep (80 cm) vertical tunnel in muddy plant free bottom substrate. Further onwards independent shoals of fingerlings (YOY) selectively prefer the habitat space of inundated submerged macrophytes and/or partly water covered terrestrial vegetation When submerged vegetation is not available, fingerlings assemble within stony habitat where stone of different sizes cover the bottom substrate
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