The inshore fish yield potential of Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe

Four surplus yield models were used to estimate the yield potential of the Kariba inshore fishery. The classical methods gave maximum sustainable yield (MSY) values as high as 1333 t y-¹. These values are regarded as over-estimates in view of the present average annual catch of 619.4 t y-¹. The Schnute (1978) model gave an MSY of 719t y-¹ and a failure index close to 1 indicating that the data do not fit well into the model. Walter's (1986) graphical approach of fitting an approximate equilibrium yield curve to catch and effort predicts an MSY between 550 and 570t y-¹. It is suggested that the Kariba inshore fishery on the Zimbabwean side should be managed within this range, in Basins 4 and 5.

Résumé

Quatre modèles de rendement excédentaire ont été employés pour estimer le rendement potentiel de la pêcherie dans le lac Kariba. Les méthodes classiques donnaient un rendement maximal supportable (RMS) de 1333 ta-¹. On considere que ces valeurs sont surestimées au vu de la capture annuelle moyenne de 619 ta^-1. Le modèle de Schnute (1978) donnait un RMS de 719 ta^-1 et un risque d'erreur proche de 1, indiquant que les données ne s'intègrent pas bien dans le modèle. L'approche graphique de Walter (1986) qui tend à ajuster un niveau de rendement en équilibre approximatif entre I'effort et la prise prévoit un RMS compris entre 550 et 570 ta^-1. On suggère que la pêcherie dans le lac Kariba devrait être gérée dans cet ordre-là du côté zimbabwéken.     

Spatial and temporal variations in the composition and density of crustacean plankton in the five basins of Lake Kariba, Zambia-Zimbabwe

Lake Kariba is a man-made reservoir which is now over 30 yearsold. The reservoir was built on the Zambezi river on the borderbetween Zambia and Zimbabwe. The crustacean zooplankton of thisman-made lake were studied over 3 years from March 1986 to February1988. This period included three seasons — (i) warm, rainyseason, (ii) cool, dry season and (iii) warm, dry season —which have a major influence on the limnology of the lake. Crustaceanplankton species composition and abundance varied among thefive basins. The most upstream basin had the highest numberof species and highest densities at all the sampling times overthe period of this study. There was both spatial and temporalheterogeneity in species composition and abundance along thelong axis of the lake. ¹Present address: Department of Biological Science, Universityof Botswana, P. Bag 0022, Gaborone, Botswana     

Abundance and distribution of inshore fish in fished and protected areas in Lake Kariba,Zimbabwe

Abundance and size distribution of inshore fish populations was assessed by fishing with standard Lundgren survey gill-nets in areas open to fishing and reserved areas that are protected from fishing activities.The direct gradient analysis technique — Detrended Canonical Correspondence Analysis — revealed that fish abundance and their composition in Lake Kariba are strongly structured by lake morphometry.The comparison between fished and reserve areas showed that there was a significant reduction in mean length of commercially fished species in the fished areas and the size distribution curves were skewed, lacking small and large length classes. There was a higher abundance of non-commercial species in the fished areas. It was also revealed that the mochokid Synodontis zambezensis Peters 1852, was the most abundant species and was present at all depths sampled in all the stations.There were indications that non-commercial species were important in terms of abundance in the fished areas. These included S. zambezenzis, Schilbe intermedius (Ruppell, 1832) and other smaller species. This was attributed to them being selected against in the gill-nets.     

Lake trophic state and the limnological effects of omnivorous fish

Ecologists have hypothesized that planktivorous fish have greater effects on the plankton and water quality of oligotrophic lakes than eutrophic lakes. We tested this hypothesis in a tank-mesocosm experiment of factorial design in which five biomass levels of filter-feeding omnivorous gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) were cross-classified with two levels of lake trophic state achieved by filling tank-mesocosms with water and plankton transported by truck from two lakes with different trophic states. The presence of gizzard shad significantly increased total phosphorus, primary productivity, chlorophyll, and particulate phosphorus (PP) 2–20 and 20–200 μm and significantly decreased Secchi depth, cladocerans, copepods and PP > 200 μm. The effects of gizzard shad on chlorophyll, Secchi depth, cladocerans, copepods and PP 2–20 and > 200 μm were dependent on lake trophic state and most intense in the eutrophic lake system. This experiment suggests that filter-feeding omnivorous fish interact synergistically with trophic state so that the limnological effects of omnivorous fish become more intense with increased eutrophication.     

The distribution of zooplankton in the Sanyati Bay,Lake Kariba; A multivariate analysis

A principal component and discriminant function analysis of zooplankton from the Sanyati Bay, Lake Kariba, indicated that the distribution of plankton was associated with the riverine in-flow into the lake.     

The influence of thermal stratification on pelagic fish yields in Lake Kariba, Zambia/Zimbabwe

Lake Kariba is thermally stratified for about 9 months of the year. The Tanganyika sardine, Limnothrissa miodon (Boulenger), thrives very well when the water is in circulation and when its food (zooplankton) is abundant due to increased nutrients in the water column. There is a fall in the sardine yields as the water column gets partitioned into a nutrient-poor epilimnion and a nutrient-rich hypolimnion during thermal stratification. A very high negative correlation ( r ²= 0.94, n = 32) was found between thermal stratification and the monthly yields of the sardines. This uneven annual distribution of sardine yields creates problems for the local fishery.     

The decline of Salvinia molesta on Lake Kariba

The floating fern,Salvinia molesta Mitch., underwent explosive growth following the creation of Lake Kariba in 1958. By 1962 this aquatic weed covered 22% of the Lake's surface but later declined to an apparently stable level of 10–15%. Coverage declined again in 1973 to 5% and by 1980 only about 1% of the lake was covered bySalvinia. This paper discusses the ecological context in which this decline took place and the role of the introduced neotropical grasshopper,Paulinia acuminata De Geer. This insect appears to have made a major contribution towards the decline ofSalvinia, but it is suggested that its effect was greatly enhanced by nutrient stress onSalvinia because of competition for nutrients between the floating weed and other ecosystem components. Nutrient supply to Lake Kariba is limited and the increasing requirements of submerged macrophyte, mussel and fish populations, which are all expanding probably reduced nutrient availability toSalvinia. Mussels and fish, with standing crops of 167 000t and 30 000t, respectively, are seen as particularly important nutrient reservoirs. It is concluded that the decline ofSalvinia in Kariba was part of the lake's maturation process and could possibly have occurred without the introduction ofPaulinia, but at a much slower rate.     

The ecology of vascular hydrophytes on Lake Kariba

Summary The main events in the development of the vascular hydrophyte flora of Lake Kariba are reviewed on the basis of the growth forms present in the Lake.The habitats occupied by free floating plants are still dominated by Salvinia auriculata and here the situation appears ho have reached a measure of stability.The colonies of sudd plants Salvinia mats have similarly reached an apparently stable state.The emergent vegetation of the shores of the lake is shown to be affected by a number of factors, the most important probably being the fluctuations in lake level.Attached hydrophytes with floating leaves are present in such small quantity as to be a relatively unimportant constituent of the present vascular hydrophyte flora of Lake Kariba.The significance to the productivity of Lake Kariba of the establishment of indigenous aquatic and semi-aquatic plants is stated. The detrimental effect of Salvinia mats in retarding the establishment of these plants is pointed out.The development of the submerged aquatic flora is briefly described.Finally these separate events are reviewed in the chronological order in which they occurred.

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Résumé Les principaux stages dans le développement de la flore vasculaire hydrophyte du Lac Kariba sont examinés selon l'échelle de croissance des plantes qui se recontrent actuellement dans le lac.Les habitats des plantes flottantes sans attache sont toujours dominés par la Salvinia auriculata; dans ces aires la situation semble avoir atteint, dans une certaine mesure, un état stable.Les colonies de plantes su sedd sur les radeaux de Salvinia paraissent aussi avoir atteint un état stable.Preuve est fournie que la végétation émergeant sur les rives du lac est influencée par un certain nombre de facteurs, dont les plus importantts. sont les variations dans le niveau du lac.Les hydrophytes á pédoncule et á feuilles rencontrent en quantité tellement réduite qu'elles ne constituent qu'un élément relativement sans importance de la flore vasculaire hydrophyte actuelle du Lac Kariba.En termes de productivité du Lac Kariba, les conséquences de l'établissement de plantes aquatiques ou semi-aquatiques est mise en lumiére. L'effet préjudiciable des radeaux de Salvinia en tant qu'ils retardent l'établissement de ces plantes est souligné.Le développement de la flore aquatique sumergée est esquissé. dans l'ordre chronologique de leur apparition.

     

Structural and functional characteristics of epiphyton and epipelon in relation to their distribution in Lake Vechten

Epiphyton and epipelon were quantitatively collected, respectively, from the submerged macrophytes and the sandy lake bottom of Lake Vechten (The Netherlands). On a weight basis, epiphyton was maximal in autumn and epipelon in summer. In winter the chemical composition of epiphyton and epipelon was similar. In summer the epiphyton had on a unit weight basis more organic matter and carbonate, and had per unit organic matter a higher algal number, nitrogen and energy content than the epipelon. Algae predominating the epiphyton were filamentous greens and pennate diatoms; those in the epipelon were pennate diatoms and blue-green algae. In both cases, species known to frequent the phytoplankton were abundant. The diatoms were quantified using paper chromatographic pigment analyses. Both the epiphyton and the epipelon exhibited maximal photosynthesis in mid summer. That light was generally the limiting factor was evident from periphyton developed on artificial substrates. This periphyton differed widely in its composition from that on the natural substrates, mainly because the latter collected much more sedimenting matter.In dense Ceratophyllum stands light was severely attenuated and the significant gradients in oxygen and pH were caused by the differences with depth in the proportions of photosynthesis and respiration. The oxygen content and pH at the bottom decreased owing to epipelic respiration. The epiphytic composition depended greatly on the degree of light attenuation. The epiphytic and epipelic respiration, except during part of the early summer, exceeded photosynthesis on a 24 h basis; this included the macrophytic photosynthesis during the time the vegetation was maximally developed. During the growing season import of organic matter, i.e. deposited seston, greatly exceeded that due to the photosynthetic production. After the summer maximum, the epipelon decreased faster than predicted from its oxygen exchange. It was concluded that sedimentation and resuspension determined mainly the changes in epiphyton and epipelon. Especially when covered with vegetation, the lower littoral of Lake Vechten plays a large part in the aerobic decomposition of sestonic organic matter.     

The eels of Lake Kariba: distribution, taxonomic status, age, growth and density

It had been predicted that eels would disappear from Lake Kariba because juveniles would be unable to surmount the dam which was closed in 1958. This prediction has been proved wrong. In 1970–71 an abundant population of eels was discovered in the lake, mostly at depths from 25–40 m. The eels have intermingled characters of both the mottled Anguilla nebulosa labiata and the plain-colored A. mossambica . A clear separation of these two taxa was impossible and therefore conspeciflc status of these two species is suspected; the name A. n. labiata is retained for the population.
The age structure of the eel cohorts suggests that juveniles surmount the dam in their second year of life and then spend approximately 7 years in streams of the lake drainage. The fastest maturing individuals which are in best condition then emigrate to the ocean, whereas the slower maturing eels remain in the lake longer. The oldest eel in the samples was 18 years old.
The catch per unit of effort for hoopnets was 2.35 kg in the upper part of the lake and 0.41 kg for the lower part of the lake. The density at Namazambwe was assessed at 46 eels per 1 ha. The unexploited eel population of Lake Kariba could form a valuable resource.     

The feeding habits of Sargochromis Codringtonii in Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe

The food of adult Sargochromis codringtonii in Lake Kariba was dominated by prosobranch snails with pulmonate snails forming an insignificant dietary component. S. codringtonii does not show particular preference for any snail species, feeding on those species that are readily available. Morphometrical analysis of the feeding structures of S. codringtonii showed that the fish is well adapted to handling a molluscivorous diet. The pharyngeal jaws with their flat crowned teeth are well adapted to crushing molluscs. The daily food consumption rate of S. codringtonii was estimated over different seasons. Estimates of food consumption indicate that the fish consumed 13.96% of their dry body weight per day in summer falling to 4.46% in winter. The low consumption of pulmonate snails suggests that S. codringtonii can not be a successful biological control agent against the vectors of schistosomiasis.     

Population dynamics of two small cichlid fish species in a tropical man-made lake (Lake Kariba)

The population dynamics of two small cichlid fishes (Pharyngochromis darlingi andPseudocrenilabrus philander) were studied in Lake Kariba, a very large African man-made lake. They are of no economic importance but make up about 14% and 7% respectively of the inshore fish population and are the major components of the diet of fish-eating birds on the lake.P. darlingi isthe larger species (L = 156.5 mm) and is found on both shelving and steep, eroding shores. Its mortality rate differs in each habitat (Z = 0.44 and 0.72 month^–1 respectively), only 0.79% survive for 12 months and its % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGaamiuaiaac+% cadaqdaaqaaiaadkeaaaaaaa!384D!\[P/\overline B \] ratio is 5.45 (on shelving shores).Ps. philander is smaller (L = 83.9 mm) and is restricted to shelving areas with abundant vegetation. Its monthly mortality rate was high (Z = 7.69), only 0.05% survive to 12 months whilst its % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGaamiuaiaac+% cadaqdaaqaaiaadkeaaaaaaa!384D!\[P/\overline B \] ratio was very high (7.69). The estimates of growth obtained forP. darlingi differ considerably from those given in an earlier study in Lake Kariba and some possible reasons for this are discussed. In suitable habitats, the combined production of both species could be 40 kg ha^–1 yr^–1 which indicates their potential importance to the ecology of the lake.     

Horizontal variations in associations of zooplankton in Lake Kariba

The horizontal distribution of the zooplankton in Lake Kariba was sampled by means of vertical hauls using 55 and 250 μm meshed nets. Crustacea were sparse in the main lake, but increased dramatically in the very shallow water at the end of Crocodile Creek. The composition of the zooplankton is influenced by the presence in the main lake of the Tanganyika sardine, Limnothrissa miodon , and by the large size of the dominant diatom in the phytoplankton. In the creeks the distribution can be explained by the zooplankton occurring in open spaces into which planktivorous fish do not enter because of the possibility of predation by Tiger fish ( Hydrucyori ) and birds.
The systematic composition of the zooplankton in L. Kariba is reviewed and compared with two natural lakes and another man-made lake. It is concluded that the zooplankton and the fishes in L. Kariba have reached approximately the specific diversity that one would expect from a similar sized natural lake in the same geographical area.     

The distribution and variation of Daphnia lumholtzi (Crustacea: Cladocera) in relation to fish predation in Lake Albert, East Africa

In Lake Albert Daphnia lumholtzi is found in two forms. One has a pointed anterior prolongation, or helmet, on the head. The other has a shorter rounded head, and was originally described as a separate species, D. monacha . The latter form dominates the zooplankton in the middle of the lake where planktivorous fish are rare or absent. The helmeted form becomes commoner near the margins of the lake and reaches its greatest abundance in Ndaiga Lagoon, where planktivorousfish are common. The possession of a helmet is associated with a reduction in the size of the carapace compared to the round headed form. The carapace with its contained eggs is the most conspicuous part of a cladoceran, so that the helmeted forms are at an advantage in the presence of planktivorous fish which locate their prey by sight. The mid-lake monacha forms are larger than specimens of the same form in Ndaiga Lagoon, where it is shown that Alestes baremose feeds selectively on the larger specimens of the monacha form.
The helmeted form produces more, but smaller eggs than the monacha form. The total brood volume (= mean egg volume x mean number eggs per female) is greatest in the midlake monacha forms. The selective advantages of variations in egg size and the possession of a helmet are discussed. It is concluded that the data from Lake Albert support the hypothesis of Brooks (1965) concerning the adaptive significance of helmet development in Daphnia .     

The distribution and variation of Daphnia lumholtzi (Crustacea: Cladocera) in relation to fish predation in Lake Albert, East Africa

In Lake Albert Daphnia lumholtzi is found in two forms. One has a pointed anterior prolongation, or helmet, on the head. The other has a shorter rounded head, and was originally described as a separate species, D. monacha . The latter form dominates the zooplankton in the middle of the lake where planktivorous fish are rare or absent. The helmeted form becomes commoner near the margins of the lake and reaches its greatest abundance in Ndaiga Lagoon, where planktivorous fish are common. The possession of a helmet is associated with a reduction in the size of the carapace compared to the round headed form. The carapace with its contained eggs is the most conspicuous part of a cladoceran, so that the helmeted forms are at an advantage in the presence of planktivorous fish which locate their prey by sight. The mid-lake monacha forms are larger than specimens of the same form in Ndaiga Lagoon, where it is shown that Alestes baremose feeds selectively on the larger specimens of the monacha form.
The helmeted form produces more, but smaller eggs than the monacha form. The total brood volume (= mean egg volume x mean number eggs per female) is greatest in the midlake monacha forms. The selective advantages of variations in egg size and the possession of a helmet are discussed. It is concluded that the data from Lake Albert support the hypothesis of Brooks (1965) concerning the adaptive significance of helmet development in Daphnia .     

Species-specific habitat distribution of coral reef fish assemblages in relation to habitat characteristics in an Okinawan coral reef

We determined the species-specific habitat associations of coral reef fishes and environmental characteristics in an Okinawan coral reef in Japan. We focused on three families (Pomacentridae, Gobiidae and Labridae) and attempted to determine differences in habitat utilization. We selected six sites along the coast of Amitori Bay, from the entrance to the innermost part, in order to cover a wide range of habitat characteristics (exposed habitat, semi-exposed habitat and sheltered habitat). The species diversity of coral assemblages was greater at the exposed and semi-exposed habitats, whereas branching coral mostly covered the sheltered habitat. The environmental factors that determine the species-specific spatial association in fishes differed among families. Both biological characteristics (coral morphology and coral species diversity) and physical characteristics (water depth and wave exposure) affected the spatial association of pomacentrids and gobiids. In contrast, physical characteristics such as substrate complexity and water depth affected the species-specific spatial association of labrid species. Further study is needed to determine the ecological factors that regulate the species-specific habitat preference in Okinawan coral reefs.     

The influence of river flow on pelagic sardine catches in Lake Kariba

The nutrient level of Lake Kariba is governed by the Zambezi river which provides about 70% of its water supply. Other tributaries are richer in nutrients and have an appreciable local effect. This is shown by the catches of Limnothrissa miodon which increase after strong flows in the Sanyati river. This is in contrast to natural lakes such as Lake Tanganyika and may be an important management factor in Lake Kariba and other man-made lakes. Possible periods of poor rainfall could thus reduce the Limnothrissa yield in Lake Kariba.     

Gradients in the distribution of riverine benthos

SUMMARY. 1. Numerous hypotheses regarding the controls on species distributions in streams depend on longitudinal analyses of collections of stream organisms. Techniques for the detection of trends and for the detection of station groupings among biological collections have been widely reported, but rarely compared with each other. We have conducted an analysis of ten or eleven samples from each of thirteen stations along a stream abiotic gradient, and have compared several techniques.
2. An analysis of longitudinal distribution must first assess the existence of a gradient in biotic composition. Random skewers on species proportions were the most sensitive in demonstrating such a gradient. Q and M statistics were most useful in further describing the trend due to their additive properties; i.e. the importance of one or more stations in dictating the trend may be determined. Cluster analysis, as well as percent faunal similarity, was most efficient at isolating station groupings. Techniques such as faunal replacement and species loss calculations are generally more useful in testing hypotheses about controls on species distributions, and should be employed where potential causal factors may be isolated.     

Modern distribution of ostracodes and other limnological indicators in southern Lake Malawi: implications for paleocological studies

This modern distribution study from the southwest arm of Lake Malawi quantitatively relates variables of the lake environment to surficial assemblages of ostracodes and other paleoenvironmental indicators (molluscs, Botryococcus, fish, and charcoal) from 102 sites, across a gradient of littoral to shallow profundal conditions. The goal of this research is to use the resultant relationships to help quantify paleoecological interpretations of the fossil record from sediment cores. Site locations varied by depth (1–60 m) and adjacent shoreline environment. Thirty-three ostracode species are identified from 54 sites including four new, undescribed species of Cypridopsinae (2) and Limnocythere (2). Ostracodes are extremely abundant between 1 and 25 m water depth, but are rare to absent between 30 and 60 m. This disappearance is probably taphonomically controlled, with carbonate dissolution in the death assemblage since abundant live ostracodes have been found in the lake at greater than 30 m depth, where bottom sediments lack calcium carbonate. Constrained correspondence analysis (CCA) of ostracode species abundance suggests depth and dissolved oxygen (DO) content to be the primary environmental variables affecting their distribution. Additional CCA models using all biological indicators suggest limnologic variables correlated with depth (e.g., bottom water temperature and DO) and adjacent shoreline environment were most significant.