Distribution pattern, threats and conservation of fish biodiversity in the East Tiaoxi, China

East Tiaoxi River is one of the largest inflowing rivers into Taihu Lake, and the fish fauna in the river is poorly understood. In the present study, an extensive survey of fish was conducted in October and November 2009, May and September 2010 and May 2011 covering a total of 55 sites along the whole river. A total of 84 freshwater fish species belonging to 8 orders, 18 families and 52 genera have been recorded. Among these are 35 species endemic to China, and 3 newly recorded exotic species. The fish composition varies greatly from headwaters to downstream. Based on cluster analysis with presence-absence data, the East Tiaoxi River is divided into four regions, specifically, the upper reach, middle-up reach, middle reach and lower reach. It is observed that species richness and the proportion of omnivorous species increased from upstream to downstream while the proportion of invertivorous species decreased consequently. Habitat alteration, overfishing, pollution and inland navigation adversely affect the fish diversity and ecosystem functioning in the East Tiaoxi River. To protect fish diversity more effectively in the area, the conservation of fish biodiversity in the North Tiaoxi River and Middle Tiaoxi River should be considered as a priority. Meanwhile, shallow zones or backwater areas should be created in the middle-lower reaches. Furthermore, river restoration, in terms of habitat creation, should be considered to protect the structure and diversity of fish communities, halt the progressive deterioration of freshwater ecosystems and sustain a valuable ecological resource for humans.     

Spatial and temporal variation of fish assemblages and their associations to habitat variables in a mountain stream of north Tiaoxi River,China

The spatial and temporal variations of the fish assemblages in mountain streams of China are poorly understood. The relationships between the fish assemblage and selected habitat features were examined in the North Tiaoxi River, one of headwaters of Taihu Lake. A total of 3,348 individuals belonging to 5 orders, 11 families, 25 genera and 34 species were collected including 33 native species and one invasive species. Among those, about 20 species were endemic to China. Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) was applied to compare fish assemblage structures from upstream to downstream during four seasons. Species assemblages differed along the stream continuum, but there was little apparent change associated with the seasons. Species richness and Shannon-Weaver index (H′) tended to increase along the stream continuum from the upstream to downstream and the proportion of invertivorous fish tended to significantly decrease along the continuum with a parallel significant increase in the percentage of omnivores. Fish assemblages were significantly related to both water quality and habitat structure variables. Canonical Correspondence Analysis ordinations (CCA) revealed that 6 of the 14 selected environmental variables had significant relationships with the fish assemblage such as distance to source, stream width, altitude, pH, water depth, and water velocity and different sampling sites were associated with different environmental variables in different seasons. The main differences in fish assemblage structure and diversity within the whole watercourse are probably related to large-scale factors such distance to source, altitude and stream width. Differences of instream characteristics are likely to be caused by natural variability of the ecosystems but also, in some case, by anthropogenic influence like human settlements, agriculture and river embankment and pollution from small factory.     

Divergent reaction of fish metrics to human pressures in fish assemblage types in Europe

Using a large pan-European dataset, we compared least disturbed sites to sites impacted by human pressures across broad river types to assess which aspects of bio-ecological traits of the fish assemblage are most sensitive to alterations of the river ecosystem. To control for variation across river types and large-scale environmental gradients, we began by clustering the least disturbed sites (n = 716) into four homogenous fish assemblage types (FATs) differing by four fish metrics, i.e., lithophilic, rheophilic, omnivorous, and potamodromous fish. We predicted these FATs (headwater streams, medium gradient rivers, lowland rivers, and Mediterranean streams) using environmental variables, i.e., altitude, river slope, temperature, precipitation, latitude, and longitude for impacted sites in our dataset (n = 2,389). Using tests of sensitivity and intensity, 17 fish metrics showed a clear reaction to human pressures. However, 12 metrics responded exclusively within only one of the four FATs. Hence we observed a divergent reaction of fish metrics to human pressures in, e.g., headwater versus lowland rivers. Type-specific reactions are useful in customizing impact assessment for particular river types. It is of primary importance to understand the comparative sensitivity and efficiency of fish-based indicators of water quality for detecting human-induced degradation of river ecosystems.     

Invertebrate traits for the biomonitoring of large European rivers: an assessment of specific types of human impact

1. The power of selected biological invertebrate traits for discriminating different types of human impact (heavy metal pollution and cargo‐ship traffic) were tested using ecological reasoning and linear Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA). 2. Frequency distributions of individual traits and categories of traits from 68 least impacted river reaches (LIRRs) and 304 impacted river reaches were used to define simple assessment rules based on ecological reasoning for specific impairments in large European rivers. In calibration, a maximum of three variables with a priori predictions and two different impairment threshold levels were used. Similarly, DFA was performed on the same variables included in the ecological reasoning approach, but also on all available traits or trait categories. 3. Validation with an independent data set (40 LIRRs, 291 variously impacted river reaches) and using the ecological reasoning approach showed that 75–78% of the reaches were correctly assign with rules on all impact types, 35–57% with rules on heavy metal pollution and 78–93% with rules on cargo‐ship traffic. By comparison, validation showed that DFA performed globally poorer than the ecological reasoning approach. In addition, the performance of the rules based on ecological reasoning remained stable, whereas DFA performance changed between calibration and validation. 4. Although not defined for this purpose, our study provided alarming evidence regarding the impact of cargo‐ship traffic on invertebrate communities in river reaches. Reaches with cargo‐ship traffic were found to have more genera with long life cycles that reproduce repeatedly by ovoviviparity and have a sessile life. 5. The performance of our trait‐based approach to correctly assign reaches to either least impacted or impacted conditions should promote further research on the topic across larger geographic areas (without regionalization) and across smaller stream types to provide a powerful biomonitoring tool that fulfils current European Union directives.     

The influence of habitat on the spatial variation in fish assemblage composition in an unimpacted tropical River of Ganga basin, India

Effects of local habitat variables on the structure of fish assemblage were evaluated from 50 sampling sites in a tropical River of Central India of the Ganges basin with limited anthropogenic disturbance covering premonsoon, monsoon and postmonsoon periods. Data were analyzed for 5,186 fish individuals of 24 freshwater fish species of conservation and fishery management interest. Out of the total fish species, seven belong to the ??endangered?? and 8 belong to the vulnerable category. A Cyprinid, Puntius sarana, was the most widely distributed species (frequency of occurrence 76%) out of the total species in this study. We used canonical correspondence analyses to determine the influence of environmental conditions on species occurrences and assemblage characteristics. Regarding the microhabitat, hydromorphological parameters (depth and current velocity) followed by temperature, turbidity and total dissolve solid were of significant for the structure of the fish community. Conductivity was another important factor that explained the major proportion of the variability affecting fish in their habitat choice. The other local habitat variables like overhanging vegetation and land use were of secondary but significantly important for the assemblage of the fishes. Our results suggests the importance of local environment influences on the fishes of conservation importance and their assemblage characteristics in an unimpacted river and provide a framework and reference conditions to support restoration efforts of relatively altered fish habitats in tropical rivers of India.     

拉萨河流域外来鱼类的分布、群落结构及其与环境的关系

为揭示当前拉萨河流域外来鱼类的现状及其主要影响因素,于2010、2012及2014年对该流域的鱼类群落结构及水体环境进行了调查。共捕获4目6科17属25种鱼类,包括13种外来鱼类和12种土著鱼类。在42个采样点中的19个发现了外来鱼类,包括12处的湿地、6处的河流及1处水库采样点。外来鱼类基本都分布在下游,除了鲫（Carassius auratus）分布到了上游,鲤（Cyprinus carpio）、鳙（Aristichthys nobilis）和泥鳅（Misgurnus anguillicaudatus）分布到了中游。分布最广、数量最多的土著鱼类是拉萨裸裂尻鱼（Schizopygopsis younghusbandi younghusbandi）、东方高原鳅（Triplophysa orientalis）和西藏高原鳅（Triplophysa tibetana）,最常见的外来鱼类为泥鳅、鲫和麦穗鱼（Pseudorasbora parva）。典范对应分析表明,该流域的鱼类群落同时受局域和区域环境因素的作用,二者对鱼类群落变异的总解释量为33.9%。海拔、圆石的比例和沙的比例与鱼类群落结构的关系最为紧密。今后应当开展外来鱼类的监控和清除工作,减少人为活动对河流生态系统的干扰,以促进该地区外来鱼类的防控工作及土著鱼类的保护。     

Spatial and seasonal dynamics of fish assemblage along river Soan,Pakistan and its relationship with environmental conditions

This study aims to discuss the seasonal and spatial dynamics of fish assemblage of River Soan in relation with environmental changes. Survey was conducted during pre monsoon and post monsoon seasons in 2008. Physico chemical and biological samplings were carried out at 26 sites which were selected along the whole stretch of the river. High concentration of total phosphorous and conductivity, low pH and dissolved oxygen were measured at urban part of midstream zone whereas high concentration of total nitrogen was measured at downstream zone. A total of 22 species were collected during the survey among which Barilius pakistanicus, Puntius ticto, Crossocheilus diplochilus and Labeo dero were distributed throughout the river stretch. Maximum fish diversity was recorded at suburban part of midstream while its urban part was appeared to be the most species poor part of the Soan River. Herbivore individuals constituted the dominant trophic group of fish assemblage. Significant seasonal and spatial changes in fish assemblage were determined at river downstream. Upstream- downstream differences in fish assemblage were more pronounced during pre monsoon and seem to be related to thermal gradient and hydrological changes. Seasonal variations in fish assemblage were significant only at downstream zone and were influenced by velocity, floodplains and migration patterns in fish assemblage. Understanding of spatial and seasonal trends in fish assemblage in relation with their environment is of great importance for the management and conservation of fish assemblage. Findings of this study will be helpful in future attempts to restore and conserve the aquatic assemblages of Himalayan streams.     

Geomorphological characteristics of the Wabash River,USA: Influence on fish assemblages

River hydrogeomorphology is a potential predictor of ecosystem and assemblage variation. We tested for fish assemblage variation as a function of hydrogeomorphology in a Midwestern US large river, the Wabash River. Fish data were classified by taxonomy and traits and we tested if assemblages varied with river hydrogeomorphology or river distance, defined into 10‐km distinct reaches. Three unique geomorphological units, Functional Process Zones (FPZ), were identified using an ArcGIS hydrogeomorphic model, based primarily on channel width, floodplain width, and down valley slope. Five locations were identified as FPZ A with narrow stream channel, high down valley slope, and an expansive floodplain. Ten locations were identified as FPZ B with a wide river channel and wide floodplain. Thirty‐five locations were identified as FPZ C with wide river channel and a constrained floodplain. The sites were categorized into three stream orders: 5, 6, and 7. We found hydrogeomorphology classified by unique FPZs or by river distance influenced taxonomic and functional fish assemblages for the Wabash River. There was high overlap among fish occurrences among FPZs, but nine species resulted as significant indicators of specific FPZs. Five traits were significant indicators of FPZs: an intermediate Swim Factor score, medium tolerance to silt, small‐large stream size preference, and two Shape Factor categories. Our conclusions are that fish assemblages respond strongly to local geomorphology and river distance, fitting the riverine ecosystem synthesis and the river continuum concept.     

Effects of damming on the biological integrity of fish assemblages in the middle Lancang-Mekong River basin

The Lancang-Mekong River basin contains a diverse assemblage of freshwater fish species; however, their populations are threatened by current and planned dam construction along the river. Fish assemblages are sensitive indicators of environmental degradation and can be used to assess aquatic ecosystem health. This research compared the fish fauna at the Xiaowan hydropower dam located on the middle reaches of the Lancang-Mekong River at three time periods: in 2008 (before impoundment), 2010 (water storage) and 2011 (full operation). A modified fish index of biological integrity (modified F-IBI) was developed and it synthesized information on the taxonomic composition, trophic guilds, and tolerance levels of the fish and habitat diversity to quantitatively assess the condition of fish populations before and after damming. This index also was used to assess the longitudinal diversity of the fish fauna along the river channel and could assess the barrier effect associated with the dam. Jaccard's index of similarity was used as a feasible tool to assess fish diversity loss and biotic homogenization. The analysis clearly showed a homogenization of the fish communities after damming, and the reservoir impoundment region showed much more serious homogenization than the downstream region. The Xiaowan dam had an immediate and profound effect on the fish fauna in this region of the Lancang-Mekong River. A total of eight cascading dams are planned for development in this region, and, unless conservation mitigation efforts are considered, the results could be devastating on the native fish populations of middle reaches of the Lancang-Mekong River basin.     

Seasonal changes in the local distribution of Yangtze finless porpoises related to fish presence

The Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis) is an endangered freshwater porpoise subspecies unique to the Yangtze River basin. Seasonal variations in local distribution of the animal, as well as fish presence, sand dredging, ship navigation, and bridges were examined as potential factors affecting the occurrence of the animals. Passive acoustic surveys were performed regularly from May 2007 to August 2010, near the conjunction of the Yangtze River and Poyang Lake. The distribution of the porpoises was seasonally site‐specific. In May and August, the animals were detected more often at river junctions than in the lake, but vice versa from November to February. The rate of the porpoise detection was significantly higher in areas of fish presence than in areas of absence. The number of porpoises detected did not differ significantly between the sand dredging operation and the prohibition period (in 2008), although the number of vessels obviously declined in 2008. Ship traffic and bridges also did not appear to affect the presence of porpoises. These results showed the relative importance of the various environmental factors, which is important for conservation of not only Yangtze finless porpoise but also endangered isolated cetaceans.     

柳江鱼类群落结构及多样性研究

为了解柳江鱼类群落结构、多样性及其与环境因子的关系, 2018年7月和12月在柳江9个江段(榕江、从江、融安、柳城、象州、永福、鹿寨、河池和宜州)开展鱼类和环境调查。共采集鱼类36474尾, 隶属于5目20科80属115种; 其中, 鲤科鱼类最多(68种), 占59.13%。Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Simpson指数、Pielou均匀度指数和Margalef丰富度指数的变化范围分别为2.13—3.12、0.81—0.93、0.58—0.80和4.65—7.18。鱼类优势种以银Squalidus argentatus、大眼华鳊Sinibrama macrops、胡Microphysogobio chenhsienensis、银鲴Xenocypris macrolepis和南方拟?Pseudohemiculter dispar等小型鱼类为主。丰度/生物量比较曲线表明, 宜州、榕江、鹿寨、柳城、象州和融安江段鱼类群落受到中度或严重干扰, 河池、从江和永福鱼类群落结构相对稳定。采用非度量多维标度排序(NMDS)方法对鱼类群落的时空分布特征进行分析, 将鱼类划分为3个类群: 柳江上游的从江-榕江类群, 洛清江支流的永福-鹿寨类群, 柳江中下游及龙江支流的融安-柳城-象州-河池-宜州类群。采用典范对应分析(CCA)分析鱼类群落与环境因子的关系, 发现河宽、海拔和pH是柳江鱼类群落结构差异的主要影响因子。与历史资料相比, 柳江鱼类群落结构发生显著变化, 经济鱼类占比减少, 鱼类个体呈现小型化和低龄化。建议从以下几个方面加强柳江鱼类多样性保护: 加强执法力度, 严厉打击偷捕、电捕等非法行为; 对主要经济鱼类开展增殖放流; 恢复河流的连通性; 对流域珍稀特有鱼类进行监测、救护和繁育。     

浑河流域2010-2014年的鱼类群落和水生态健康变化分析

为了解浑河流域鱼类群落结构的变化趋势和水生态健康变化,分别于2010年和2014年对浑河流域46个采样点进行了鱼类和环境因子调查。其中2010年采集到鱼类15039尾,隶属于6目9科32种;2014年采集到鱼类10483尾,隶属于6目10科41种。Mann-Whitney U检验表明从2010年到2014年鱼类总物种数、香农多样性指数、底层物种数百分比、植食性和肉食性个体数百分比等鱼类特征参数显著上升。典型对应分析（CCA）结果表明,2010年显著影响鱼类群落结构的环境因子为流速、电导率、河流等级和钙离子浓度;而2014年显著影响鱼类群落结构的环境因子则为电导率、河流等级和氨氮浓度。2010年和2014年的鱼类完整性指数（FIBI）评分分别为48.7624.82和50.4117.35,与2010年的评价结果相比,2014年F-IBI结果稍有改善,其中极好和好的点位数分别少3个和1个,一般的点位数多9个,而极差和差的点位分别少4个和1个。     

基于氮磷比解析太湖苕溪水体营养现状及应对策略

生态化学计量学是评价水体营养状态的重要手段,利用其氮磷比指标探讨了我国太湖主要入湖河流苕溪的营养状态。野外监测结果显示,苕溪水体氮素超标严重,磷素污染轻度,硝酸盐、颗粒态磷为氮磷的主要赋存形态,且氮磷浓度呈现相似的季节变化规律,表明苕溪主要受农业面源污染影响。氮磷比分析表明,苕溪水体春、秋季处于磷素限制状态,夏季适合藻类生长,冬季低温条件下不利于藻类的大量繁殖;苕溪生物量增长受磷素限制,线性拟合亦显示其氮磷比主要受磷素波动的调控;苕溪干流大面积暴发蓝藻水华的风险较部分支流及死水区低,苕溪水入湖后,特别是夏季其暴发风险将显著提高。针对苕溪水体的富营养化现状,提出若干条水质改善应对策略。     

三峡库区澎溪河鱼类时空分布特征的水声学研究

为了解三峡库区支流澎溪河鱼类时空分布变化,2009—2010年的秋季、冬季和春季,使用Simrad EY60鱼探仪对澎溪河的鱼类资源量及其时空分布特征进行3次声学调查。结果表明:3个季节鱼类水平分布不均匀,鱼类最大密度分别为67.07尾/1000 m3,19.66尾/1000m3,17.25尾/1000m3且不同季节上层、中层鱼类密度水平分布有显著性差异(P≤0.01,P=0.03);各季节鱼类密度垂直分布也有一定差异,冬季上层鱼类密度和下层鱼类密度差异较为显著(P=0.05);另外鱼类密度昼夜分布有显著性差异(P<0.05),造成该现象的原因主要是由于鱼类的昼夜垂直节律(Diel Vertical Migration,DVM)引起;3个季节的鱼类目标强度(TS值)的差异极其显著(P<0.01),其中秋季鱼类TS最高((-57.0±5.6)dB),春季TS值最低((-58.6±4.9)dB),造成该差异的原因是4—6月是长江上游鱼类繁殖季节,仔稚鱼居多。鱼类空间分布及其位点的水深关系分析显示,鱼类密度水平分布秋季、冬季与水深不相关(︱r︱<0.2),春季与水深中度负相关(r=-0.5,P≤0.05)。     

Modelling the habitat preferences of preadult and adult fishes on the shoreline of the large, lowland Elbe River

From the years 1997 to 2000, fish assemblages from 15 groyne fields and training walls (a current guiding dyke, protecting the groyne field) of the Middle Elbe River (Germany) were examined by electrofishing. The aim of the study was to detect abiotic environmental key variables which determine preadult and adult fish assemblage in typical riverbank structures using multivariate ordination techniques (canonical correspondence analysis) and univariate methods (logistic regression analysis). Habitat preferences of preadult and adult stages of selected fish species were also estimated. Fish sampling was carried out at 190 river stretches; a further 1615 samples were taken by the point‐abundance sampling method. In total, 21 732 preadult and adult individuals belonging to 30 fish species were caught; perch, eel, ide, roach, chub, gudgeon, bleak and white bream were the most frequent. Eurytopic species clearly dominated the fish assemblage with 72% total abundance, followed by rheophilic species (26%). Limnophilic fish species (rudd, crucian carp, stickleback and tench) were relatively rare (2% of total abundance), with frequencies of occurrence between 1 and 10%. The highest species diversities were estimated in structurally diverse training walls and groyne fields with defective groynes, whereas low species diversity was found to occur in poorly structured, strongly silted groyne fields with intact groynes. Additionally, typical seasonal and annual changes of the fish assemblage were observed. From the mesoscalic point of view, the structure of the preadult and adult fish assemblage was affected by both spatial (type of groyne field, river stretch) and temporal factors (year, season). Regarding the microhabitat, hydromorphological parameters (slope, current velocity, water level, predominant and secondary substrate) followed by physicochemical water values [dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature and pH‐value] are of significance for the structure of the fish community. Furthermore, hiding places (shelter) are of subordinate but significant importance for the fish assemblage in the poorly structured main channel of the Elbe River. Importance of hydromorphological factors on the microhabitat scale was confirmed by multiple logistic regression in 12 of 14 preference models, conducted for different ontogenetic stages of roach, bream, white bream, bleak, ide, chub, gudgeon, asp, perch and eel. Habitat preferences of adult bleak and preadult roach were first determined by physicochemical water values and seasonal influences. Univariate models were generated to describe specific habitat preferences of different species and age‐stages regarding the most important environmental variables (depth, velocity, predominant substrate, slope and shelter). Intraspecific differences were noticed between preadult and adult chub regarding preferences for water velocity, or between preadult and adult perch concerning slope of shore. Interspecific differences were observed, e.g. between adult roach and white bream, with regard to the use of shelters.     

大汶河水生态环境健康状况与土地利用的相关性

为了解大汶河水生态环境现状及河岸带土地利用类型对其影响,基于2017年4月大汶河流域水生态调查数据,采用主成分分析和相关分析方法对流域地形、水文、水环境因子、主要水生生物因子和栖息地质量5个方面共19个候选指标进行筛选和优化,构建了大汶河生态系统健康评价多指标体系并用于大汶河水生态健康评价。结果表明:水环境因子和水生生物类型指标在健康评价指标体系中所占权重较大;大汶河水生态系统健康状况评价结果主要以一般和较差为主,分别占总采样点的58.33%和20.83%,仅瀛汶河上段、大汶河南支上段和大汶河干流下段部分断面处于健康或亚健康水平;城镇村及工矿用地、耕地和交通用地与大汶河生态健康综合指数呈负相关,是该流域水生态系统受到破坏的主要因素。     

Is assemblage variability related to environmental variability? An answer for riverine fish

We examine the variability of riverine fish assemblages in terms of assemblage stability (i.e. variability of numbers of individuals within species over time and variability of assemblage total density), assemblage persistence, and assemblage species richness using data from a 9-yr survey of 27 sites within 18 coastal streams of North-western France. To do so, we test a hypothesized directional model for the expected relationships between environmental variability, assemblage variability, assemblage persistence, and assemblage species richness: 1) environmental variability within a given system is likely to generate variable local population size within this system, thus increasing local assemblages variability; 2) environmental variability should increase extinction rates (or, under constant colonization rates, decrease persistence), because the more population sizes vary within an assemblage, the more likely they are to become zero in some period of time; 3) assemblage variability should reduce assemblage species richness by increasing extinction rates within populations composing these assemblages. Results are compatible with our starting hypotheses and show that assemblage variability increased with environmental variability (i.e. discharge variability), that assemblage persistence decreased with environmental variability, and that species richness decreased with assemblage variability after environmental factors were controlled for. Thus, disturbance regimes, in our case, can alter the stability properties of assemblages and extrinsic determinants of assemblage variability may be an important determinant of assemblage species richness. These results have important conservation and management implications, due to the strong impact of river regulation on flow regimes.     

Beta diversity of stream fish assemblages: partitioning variation between spatial and environmental factors

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The influence of changes to river hydrology on freshwater fish in regulated rivers of the Murray–Darling basin

Freshwater fish are often used as an indicator of the response of the ecosystem to the restoration of river flows or the provision of environmental flows. The ability to model the biological response of fish depends on the capacity to establish clear relationships between changes in river hydrology and the fish assemblages in a river. The fish assemblage structure and the abundances of individual fish species were examined in relation to a hydrological index that described hydrological change in six regulated rivers in the Murray–Darling Basin. The hydrological index explained only a small amount of variation in fish assemblage structure. In addition, the abundances of individual fish species were only weakly correlated with the index of flow deviation. It is suggested that these results make the modelling of responses of fish assemblages to environmental water allocations unfeasible at a large scale and that future studies should concentrate on potentially more simple responses, such as the relationships of fish spawning and recruitment to specific aspects of river hydrology.