IMPLICATIONS OF WATER RELEASE FROM THE PONGOLAPOORT DAM FOR THE FISH AND FISHERY OF THE PHONGOLO FLOODPLAIN,ZULULAND |
| |
Authors: | G. S. Merron M. N. Bruton P. la Hausse de Lalouviere |
| |
Affiliation: | 1. J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology , Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa;2. Institute of Natural Resources , P.O. Box 375, Pietermaritzburg, 3200, South Africa |
| |
Abstract: | Summary Wetland fish stocks can usually be sustained as long as the natural flood regime is maintained, but unnatural disruption of the flooding pattern can interfere with fish spawning and feeding. The dynamics of the Phongolo floodplain fish community are determined by periodically changing abiotic factors, especially water level and water temperature, and biotic factors, especially food availability. Water level fluctuations have several important functions and result in pulses of nutrient input and fish abundance. This paper examines the implications of the timing, magnitude and duration of simulated flood releases from the Pongolapoort Dam on the downstream fish and fishery. |
| |
Keywords: | artificial and natural floods species composition feeding spawning periodicity traditional fishing flood release recommendation |
|
|