唐山湾海域渔业资源群落多样性分析

基于2012年5、8和10月对唐山湾海域进行底拖网渔业资源调查的资料,采用相对重要性指数、多样性指数及群落ABC曲线等分析方法,对3个季节渔业资源现状及群落多样性进行研究。结果显示:渔获物中共有海洋动物59种,其中鱼类27种,甲壳类17种,贝类7种,棘皮动物4种,头足类3种,多毛类1种;春季捕获35种渔获物,夏季36种,秋季37种;春季平均渔获率(质量)为3.50 kg/h,夏季为13.68 kg/h,秋季为16.99 kg/h。研究表明:(1)渔获率及其组成季节差异明显。在生物量上,春季以头足类为主,鱼类与甲壳类次之;夏季甲壳类为主,鱼类次之;秋季鱼类为主,甲壳类次之。(2)渔获率空间分布季节变化明显,春季浅水区较深水区渔获率高,夏季深水区较浅水区高。(3)优势种季节变化不明显。(4)春季H'高于夏、秋季,深水区总体高于近岸浅水区。(5)ABC曲线分析可知,群落受到严重干扰。     

西藏雅鲁藏布江大峡谷墨脱江段鱼类群落结构及多样性的空间分布特征

本研究首次对西藏雅鲁藏布江大峡谷墨脱江段鱼类群落结构及多样性的空间分布特征进行分析。根据 2015 年春季(4 月), 2017 年春季(3—4 月)和秋季(11 月)在雅鲁藏布江大峡谷墨脱江段及其附属湖泊布裙湖进行的渔业资源调查数据, 对墨脱江段鱼类群落结构特征及多样性的空间变化进行了分析。结果表明, 春、秋季墨脱江段及布裙湖共捕获鱼类 18 种, 隶属于 2 目 4 科 13 属, 其中外来鱼类 2 种, 分别为鲤(Cyprinus carpio)和麦穗鱼(Pseudorasbora parva)。通过形态和分子生物学鉴定发现新物种 3 种, 分别属于裂腹鱼属(Schizothorax)、墨头属(Garra)和鰋属(Exostoma), 暂时命名为裂腹鱼属待定名种(Schizothorax sp.)、墨头鱼属待定名种(Garra sp.)和鰋属待定名种(Exostoma sp.)。春季墨脱江段干流和支流的鱼类种类组成存在显著差异, 干流主要由大中型鱼类组成, 支流主要为小型鱼类。优势种组成也存在差异, 仅弧唇裂腹鱼(Schizothorax curvilabiatus)为干流和支流的共有优势种。相对资源量最高的鱼类为弧唇裂腹鱼(S. curvilabiatus), 在干流中平均每小时电捕获鱼类重量为 9844.7 g; 平均每组网捕获鱼类重量 446.0 g, 支流平均每小时电捕获鱼类重量为 486.4 g。物种多样性指数(H?)变化范围为 0.95~1.77, 丰富度指数(D?)变化范围为 0.58~1.13, 均匀度指数(J?)变化范围为 0.37~0.77, 其中干流物种的多样性指数、丰富度指数和均匀度指数均低于支流, 表明春季墨脱江段干流鱼类物种多样性明显低于支流。     

西江鱼类群落多样性及其演变

2005-2008年对珠江下游西江江段6个采样点进行鱼类多样性调查,共采集鱼类96种,隶属于13目29科75属,辐斑虫纹东方鲀(Takifugu vermicularis)、南方波鱼(Rasbora steineri)、西江鲇(Silurus gilberti)等8种为西江新记录鱼类。西江鱼类群落多度大于1%的种类有17种,前5位依次是鲮(Cirrhina molitorella)、(Hmiculter leucisxulus)、赤眼鳟(Squaliobarbus curriculus)、广东鲂(Megalobrama hoffmanni)、子陵吻虾虎鱼(Rhinogobius giurinus);多度小于0.1的有28种。西江鱼类群落以定居性、杂食性种类为主;与历史比较杂食性、定居性鱼类种类所占百分比上升,肉食性、洄游性、半洄游性鱼类所占比例下降。聚类分析发现西江鱼类群落可以分为3个类群,即:上游类群、中游类群和下游河口类群;物种组成差异分析结果表明,不同江段鱼类群落有明显的差异,相同生境类型江段的鱼类物种相似性较高;上游的物种多样性明显高于下游。通过个体生态学指数(autecology index)分析,西江鱼类群落底层生活、口下位、喜急流生活、肉食性种类受影响程度大,而口端位、杂食性、喜缓流的种类演变成优势种群。航道整治、大规模无序挖沙、河口水体污染、过度捕捞等因素是影响西江鱼类群落变动的主要原因。     

长江中游鱼类群落结构及多样性

为了解长江中游鱼类群落结构、多样性及其与环境因子的关系，2021年6月和11月在长江中游5个江段(宜昌、石首、嘉鱼、武汉、湖口)开展了鱼类和环境调查。定量分析了鱼类群落结构特征、时空分布格局及其与环境因子的关系。研究期间共采集到鱼类16 335尾，隶属6目13科50属76种，其中鲤形目鱼类最多(52种)，占总种数的70%。在3种生活习性类型中，定居性鱼类物种数最多(80%)；在3种摄食类型中，肉食性鱼类物种数最多(46%)；在3种产卵类型中，产黏性卵鱼类的物种数最多(50%)。相对重要性指数(IRI)显示，瓦氏黄颡鱼、银鲴、三角鲂、铜鱼等中小型鱼类为优势种。平均Margalef丰富度指数为5.11、平均Pielou均匀度指数为0.63、平均Shannon-Wiener多样性指数为3.23、平均Simpson优势度指数为0.26。丰度/生物量比较曲线表明，宜昌和湖口江段鱼类群落受人类活动干扰严重，石首、嘉鱼和武汉江段鱼类群落相对稳定。Cluster和NMDS分析结果表明，长江中游的鱼类群落可划分为3个类群，宜昌为一类群；石首、嘉鱼和武汉为一类群；湖口为一类群。RDA分析结果显示，NH     

小江回水区江段鱼类群落结构的时空变动及驱动因素分析

基于2013年和2019年5-7月以及10-11月在小江回水区江段开展的鱼类资源调查及生境数据收集，采用多元分析方法量化分析了小江回水区江段非生物因子时空变动与鱼类群落结构时空变动的关系，揭示了三峡水库正常蓄水运行后小江回水区江段鱼类群落结构的时空变动特征及其驱动因素。研究结果显示：2013年和2019年共在小江回水区江段采集到鱼类74种，隶属于7目15科56属，其中优势种鱼类15种，长江上游特有鱼类7种、外来鱼类5种；小江常年回水区的鱼类群落结构在2019年时发生了明显的改变，而小江变动回水区江段的鱼类群落结构在2013年和2019年间无明显差异；小江常年回水区江段的鱼类群落结构在2013年时显示明显的季节性变动特征，然而在2019年时季节性变动特征变得不明显；小江变动回水区江段的鱼类群落结构在2013年和2019年时均显示明显的季节性变动特征；总磷含量、磷酸盐含量、水温和流速显著影响着小江回水区江段鱼类群落结构的时空变动格局，其中磷酸盐含量和水温是驱动小江回水区江段鱼类群落结构变动的最关键的两个因素。研究结果表明：尽量维持小江变动回水区的自然生境特征、采取措施控制小江常年回水区外来物种的数量以及严格控制外源营养物的输入，对于保护小江回水区江段土著鱼类的资源具有重要的意义。     

梯级开发下金沙江下游鱼类群落结构特征及环境驱动因子

为了探明梯级电站开发下金沙江下游鱼类群落的结构特征及主要环境驱动因子，于2017年对春季和秋季金沙江下游尚未建成的乌东德和白鹤滩水电站江段以及已下闸蓄水的溪洛渡和向家坝水电站江段应用多网目复合刺网进行了鱼类群落定量研究，同时运用多种统计分析方法分析了鱼类多样性特征以及鱼类群落与环境因子的关系。研究发现仍保持正常流水未成库区的乌东德和白鹤滩江段鱼类群落与已成库区的溪洛渡和向家坝江段有着明显的差异。在仍为峡谷激流型生境的江段，鱼类组成以土著特有鱼类为主，优势种为喜流水的圆口铜鱼C. guichenoti、泉水鱼P. procheilus、犁头鳅L. fimbriata；而在已蓄水的库区江段，鱼类组成多为长江中下游常见种类，优势种为喜静水缓流的?H. leucisculus、飘鱼P. sinensis、似鱎T. wwinhonis。应用典范对应分析对鱼类群落与环境因子做了相关分析，发现影响金沙江下游鱼类群落的主要环境驱动因子包括水深、总固体悬浮物、电导率、pH和水温等。这些研究结果为制定金沙江下游鱼类种质资源和生物多样性保护的相关管理政策提供了基础与支撑。     

苏北浅滩中部典型沙脊潮沟海域不同空间鱼类群落的分析

利用2011年5月(春季)和2010年11月(秋季)在苏北浅滩大丰沿岸海域(32°44?~33°23?N、120°54?~121°38?E)开展渔业资源调查获取的资料,运用聚类分析方法划分群落结构,从鱼类的种类组成、多样性以及优势种等不同方面,探讨苏北浅滩沙脊潮沟地形对鱼类群落的影响。研究表明:春秋季苏北浅滩沙脊潮沟沿岸海域鱼类可划分为西部近岸群落、中部沙脊群落以及东部潮沟群落3个群落,其鱼类群落结构差异表现为,春季鱼类总种类数表现为潮沟(15种)沙脊(11种)近岸(3种);多样性指数(H')类似,即潮沟(1.57,1.89)沙脊(1.19,1.57)近岸(0.51,0.69);秋季鱼类种类数表现为潮沟(18种)近岸(12种)沙脊(11种),鱼类多样性指数表现为潮沟(1.54,1.54)近岸(1.02,0.96)沙脊(0.92,0.83)。潮沟海域与外海相连,外海鱼群顺着潮沟向近海移动,在潮沟末端遇到沙脊地形的阻挡,底栖性鱼群停留在沟底,造成种类数累积,多样性增加。优势种分布上,潮沟群落多为方氏锦鳚(Pholos fangi)、鮸(Miichthys miiuy)、小带鱼(Eupleurogrammus muticus)等产卵性鱼类;沙脊群落鱼类主要由赤鼻棱鳀(Thryssa kammalensis)和大银鱼(Protosalanx chinensis)等滤食性鱼类组成。苏北浅滩沙脊潮沟海域鱼类群落空间差异显著,而地形变化以及由此导致的环境变化是苏北浅滩沙脊潮沟海域鱼类群落结构差异的主要原因。以沙脊潮沟地形因素为突破口,不仅丰富了鱼类群落结构变化的环境影响因素,也为苏北浅滩渔业的管理和保护提供可靠依据。     

海州湾鱼类β多样性变化

海州湾海域渔业资源丰富, 但近年来由于过度捕捞、环境污染的影响, 渔业资源严重衰退。为了解海州湾鱼类 β 多样性的时空变化规律, 本研究根据 2011 年、2013—2019 年在海州湾海域进行的 8 个航次秋季渔业资源底拖网调查数据, 采用 Chao 和自助法两种非参数统计方法, 估算调查海域的鱼类物种丰富度, 并采用 Sorenson 和 Cody 指数等多种 β 多样性的度量方法, 计算了鱼类物种 β 多样性。海州湾海域调查共捕获鱼类 94 种, 鱼类物种数和 β 多样性均在近年间呈现波动下降趋势。利用 K 均值聚类将调查站位按 20 m 等深线划分为组 I (<20 m)和组 II (>20 m), 进一步的 β 多样性空间差异分析表明, 组 II 的 β 多样性呈现相对明显的下降趋势, 而组 I 无明显变化; 两组间 Cody 替代性指数随时间降低, 而 Sorenson 相似性指数略有升高, 表征了深水区与浅水区 β 多样性的变化趋势有着显著差别。研究结果表明海州湾海域的鱼类群落呈现生物同质化趋势, 该趋势的出现可能与过度捕捞、环境变化等原因有关。本研究旨在为渔业资源的养护、海洋保护区的建设提供科学依据。     

基于河流网络体尺度的皖河河源溪流鱼类群落的空间格局

2013年7-8月对大别山皖河河源1～3级溪流的鱼类进行了调查,着重从河流网络体空间尺度研究了鱼类多样性及群落结构的空间格局,探讨了局域栖息地条件和支流空间位置对鱼类群落的影响.1～3级溪流间,鱼类物种数随溪流级别增大显著增多,但个体数无显著变化(P＞0.05);长河、潜水和皖水3条支流间鱼类物种数和个体数均无显著差异(P＞0.05).鱼类物种数受局域栖息地条件(海拔)和支流空间位置(河流级别和下游量级)的联合影响,但鱼类个体数仅受局域栖息地条件(海拔)的影响.不同溪流级别和不同支流间的群落结构均无显著差异(P＞0.05).同物种数类似,鱼类群落结构也受局域过程(海拔)和空间过程(汇合量级和下游量级)的联合影响.本研究表明,总体上皖河河源溪流网络体中的鱼类群落是局域过程和空间过程联合作用的产物.因此,为合理保护和管理皖河河源的溪流鱼类物种,有必要兼顾局域栖息地条件与河流网络连通性的保护和恢复.     

长江安庆段春季鱼类群落结构特征及多样性研究

为了解长江安庆段春季鱼类群落结构及物种多样性现状,于2015年4-6月对该江段鱼类进行调查,共采集鱼类36种,隶属于5目、11科、31属;其中鲤科鱼类占优势,占总种类数的52.78%。按生态习性划分,定居性鱼类占总种数的88.89%,江湖洄游鱼类占总种数的11.11%;按栖息空间划分,底栖鱼类最多,占总种数的50.00%;按摄食类型划分,杂食性鱼类最多,占总种数的44.44%。鱼类优势种为鲇(Silurus asotus)、鲫(Carassius auratus)和贝氏歺又鱼(Hemiculter bleekeri)。渔获物中小型鱼类占据较大比例,大型鱼类比例偏低、规格偏小。Shannon-Weiner多样性指数、Margalef丰富度指数、Simpson优势度指数和Pielou指数均值分别为2.114、3.476、0.248和0.670。与历史资料相比较,鱼类优势种的数量占比降低,群落多样性、丰富度较高,均匀度较为稳定,但个体小型化现象依然存在,渔业资源仍有衰退趋势。建议强化禁渔措施,确保安庆江段渔业资源的可持续利用。     

Fish species incidence patterns in naturally fragmented Chihuahuan Desert streams

We investigated how stream fragmentation affects local fish species persistence and extinction from three Rio Grande systems (Texas, USA) stream reaches with different levels of natural fragmentation. We examined species–volume (SV) relationships of fish assemblages in 42 pools across the watersheds and predicted greater fragmentation would correspond to an increase in the slope of the SV relationship due to decreased within‐reach rescue effects. In addition, we examined relationships among tributary‐specific nested subset patterns, local habitat features and spatial position of the reaches relative to the Rio Grande mainstem to better understand the importance of local and regional processes on fish species richness patterns in the stream reaches. Slopes of the SV curves did not differ among the stream reaches, but the intercepts of the SV curves were significantly different. These results indicated rescue effects among habitats within a stream reach were not apparent; however, rescue effects from the mainstem largely determined the species richness of a given stream reach. The nested subset patterns in all stream reaches were related to several local environmental factors, and large, deep pools provided important aquatic refugia in all three systems. We suggest declines in mainstem and tributary flows will likely continue to impact local and regional fish assemblage attributes. High flow events are important for dispersal and can reset tributary fish communities for the next extinction‐driven, successional cycle.     

Dams in the Amazon: The importance of maintaining free-flowing tributaries for fish reproduction

1. Free-flowing tributaries are important for the maintenance of fish diversity in dammed systems. In relation to the reproduction of fish species, the role of a free-flowing tributary was evaluated and compared with that of a dammed tributary downstream of large dams in the Madeira River, one of the main tributaries of the Amazon River.
2. Two hypotheses were tested: (i) the densities of the ichthyoplankton differ between the dammed and the free-flowing tributaries; and (ii) the free-flowing tributary contributes a greater diversity of fish larvae species to the assemblage structure of the main stem than the dammed tributary.
3. Fish eggs and larvae were sampled at five sites: one in each tributary (Jamari – dammed – and Machado – free-flowing) and three in the main stem (Madeira River), upstream and downstream from the mouth of each tributary.
4. Fitted Bayesian models showed that the densities both of eggs and larvae were more than twice as high in the free-flowing tributary than in the dammed tributary. The results also indicated that the free-flowing tributary makes a major contribution to the fish assemblage structure of the Madeira River, whereas the dammed tributary does not have a significant influence on the main stem assemblage structure.
5. The results demonstrate the importance of conservation and maintenance not only of the Machado River but also of other free-flowing tributaries in dammed basins, especially those basins with high biodiversity, such as the Amazon. Moreover, this study helps inform the decision-making process regarding the location of new dams, which is critical in fish diversity conservation.

     

Prioritizing aquatic conservation areas using spatial patterns and partitioning of fish community diversity in a near‐natural temperate basin

1. This study investigated spatial patterns and partitioning of fish community diversity in the Emory River basin, Tennessee, USA, which represents the best available biotic condition in a region characterized with high diversity and endemism. Fish community analyses were intended as one criterion for identifying aquatic conservation areas in a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) currently developed in the study region under the authority of the US Endangered Species Act.
2. Spatial patterns of fish community diversity were examined at 57 stream sites located in the mainstem (13 sites) and four sub‐basins (a total of 44 sites) by partitioning γ diversity (total diversity) into α (within‐community) and β (among‐community) components in a multiplicative manner at two spatial scales. Additional analyses were conducted to assess evidence of dispersal in structuring local communities.
3. Mainstem sites were characterized with higher α diversity values relative to sub‐basin sites, and γ diversity of 13 mainstem sites was comparable with that of 44 sub‐basin sites. Site‐level β diversity differed among sub‐basins. Among‐sub‐basin β diversity was only modest, and one sub‐basin harboured the majority of total species richness found among all sub‐basins.
4. Many species had high indicator values for mainstem sites, but sub‐basin sites were associated with few indicator species. Spatial autcorrelation of fish community similarity was significant within mainstem sites and sites located within two sub‐basins. Catchment area explained among‐site variation in species richness better than stream order, link magnitude, confluence link or downstream link. Overall, there was a lack of evidence that dispersal played an important role in shaping local fish communities in either mainstem or sub‐basin sites.
5. Aquatic conservation in the study basin should focus on protecting aquatic diversity in the mainstem habitat, while a network of stream sites in the most diverse sub‐basin may also be considered as aquatic conservation areas. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

Patterns of fish movement at a desert river confluence

Quantifying fish movements in river networks helps identify critical habitat needs and how they change with environmental conditions. Some of the challenges in tracking fish movements can be overcome with the use of passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging and antennas. We used PIT technology to test predictions of movement behaviour for four fish species at a mainstem–tributary confluence zone in an arid‐land river system. Specifically, we focused on the McElmo Creek tributary confluence with the San Juan River in south‐western Utah, USA. We quantified variation in species occurrences at this confluence zone from May 2012 to December 2015 relative to temporal and environmental conditions. We considered occurrences among species relative to tagging origins (tributary versus mainstem), season and time of day. Generally, fishes tagged in the focal tributary were more likely to be detected compared to fish tagged in the mainstem river or other tributaries. Additionally, adults were most likely to be detected across multiple years compared to subadults. Based on a Random Forests model, the best performing environmental variables for predicting seasonal detections included mainstem discharge during run‐off season (razorback sucker Xyrauchen texanus), tributary discharge during monsoon season (Colorado pikeminnow Ptychocheilus lucius) and mainstem water temperature (flannelmouth sucker Catostomus latipinnis and channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus). The variable responses by endemic and introduced fishes indicate tributary habitats provide several key functions within a fish community including spawning, rearing, foraging and refuge.     

Influence of artificial headlands on fish assemblage structure in the surf zone of a sandy beach,Kashimanada Coast,Ibaraki Prefecture,central Japan

To determine the effects of artificial headlands (groins with an anchor-shaped head portion) on the surf-zone fish assemblage structure of a sandy beach with strong wave action, three study sites (headland site sheltered behind the head portion, pocket-beach site between two adjacent headlands and exposed reference site without headlands) were sampled on the Kashimanada Coast, central Japan, in summer and autumn in 2012 and 2013. Distinct differences in physical conditions were recognized between the headland site and the other two sites throughout the study period, the former being characterized by lower wave height and turbidity, finer sediment particles and richer detritus. The fish assemblage structures also differed among the sites, the headland site supporting greater species and individual numbers. Cluster analysis showed clear differences in species composition of fish assemblages between the headland site and the other two sites. In addition, small-sized fishes tended to be more abundant at the headland site compared with the other two sites, although no differences were apparent in fish assemblage structure between the pocket-beach and reference sites. These results suggested that the presence of headlands had marked effects on the surf-zone fish assemblage structure in the study area.     

Contrasting changes in freshwater fish assemblages and food webs follow modification of tropical waterways

Fresh waters are increasingly threatened by flow modification. Knowledge about the impacts of flow modification is incomplete, especially in the tropics where ecological studies are only starting to emerge in recent years. Using presence/absence data dated approximately four decades apart (~1966 to ~2010) from 10 tropical rivers, we assessed the changes in freshwater fish assemblage and food web after flow modification. The sites were surveyed with methods best suited to habitat conditions (e.g., tray/push netting for low‐order forest streams, visual surveys for canalised rivers and net casting for impounded rivers). With the presence/absence data, we derived and compared six measures of fish assemblage and food web structure: species richness, proportion of native species, overall functional diversity, native functional diversity, food web complexity and maximum trophic level. We found that changes in community assemblage and food web structure were not generalisable across modification regimes. In canalised sites, species richness and maximum trophic levels were lower in the second time period while the opposite was true for impounded sites. However, proportion of native species was consistently lower in the second time period across modification regimes. Changes in fish assemblages and food webs appear to be driven by species turnover. We recorded 79 cases of site‐specific extirpation and 117 cases of site‐specific establishment. Our data further suggest that turnover in assemblage is again contingent on flow‐modification regime. While the process was stochastic in canalised rivers, benthopelagic species were more likely to be extirpated from impounded rivers where species lost were replaced by predominantly alien fish taxa.     

Spatial and temporal variation in fish community structure and diversity in the largest tropical flood‐pulse system of South‐East Asia

The Tonle Sap River and Lake (TSRL) is South‐East Asia's largest tropical flood pulse with a flow‐reversal system that supports one of the world's largest freshwater fisheries. However, among the world's tropical floodplains, the resources of the TSRL have received little ecological research. Here, we described the spatiotemporal TSRL fish diversity and community variation using daily records from 2012 to 2015 on fish abundance from six sites covering the TSRL system. We found that high fish diversity occurred in sites located in the middle of Tonle Sap Lake, and the lowest diversity was observed in the southern section. The spatial abundance distribution patterns displayed a river–lake gradient, with three fish assemblages that were clustered based on their composition similarities and were characterised by 96 indicator species. In the southern section, fish assemblages were characterised by longitudinal migratory fishes; in contrast, in the middle system, fish assemblages were represented by species with combined ecological attributes (i.e. longitudinal and lateral migratory species and floodplain residents). Towards the northern section, fish assemblages were composed of lateral migratory and floodplain resident species. Species richness and abundance peaked at approximately 2–2.5 and 4 months, respectively, after the peak flow in early October, during which Tonle Sap River resumes its normal flow direction (outflow). This suggests that seasonal flood pulses (i.e. rising and falling water levels) play a pivotal role in structuring spatiotemporal variation in the TSRL fish assemblages. Our study has implications for fisheries monitoring and conservation initiatives.     

Land cover,riparian zones and instream habitat influence stream fish assemblages in the eastern Amazon

The Amazon rainforest has experienced rapid land‐use changes over the last few decades, including extensive deforestation that can affect riparian habitats and streams. The aim of this study was to assess responses of stream fish assemblages to deforestation and land cover change in the eastern Amazon. We expected that percentage of forest in the catchment is correlated with local habitat complexity, which in turn determines fish assemblage composition and structure. We sampled 71 streams in areas with different land uses and tested for relationships between stream fish assemblages and local habitat and landscape variables while controlling for the effect of intersite distance. Fish assemblage composition and structure were correlated with forest coverage, but local habitat variables explained more of the variation in both assemblage composition and structure than landscape variables. Intersite distance contributed to variance explained by local habitat and landscape variables, and the percentage of variance explained by the unique contribution of local habitat was approximately equivalent to the shared variance explained by all three factors in the model. In these streams of the eastern Amazon, fish assemblages were most strongly influenced by features of instream and riparian habitats, yet indirect effects of deforestation on fish assemblage composition and structure were observed even though intact riparian zones were present at most sites. Long‐term monitoring of the hydrographic basin, instream habitat and aquatic fauna is needed to test for potential legacy effects and time lags, as well as assess species responses to continuing deforestation and land‐use changes in the Amazon.     

Effects of mangrove deforestation on fish assemblage at Pak Phanang Bay,southern Thailand

Daytime sampling using a seine net was conducted at Pak Phanang Bay (Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand) in February and July 2006, to determine differences in fish assemblage structures between a mangrove site and an adjacent site completely cleared of mangroves. The overall numbers of fish species and individuals were significantly higher at the mangrove site than the cleared site in both months. Although benthic crustacean feeders showed more species and individual numbers at the mangrove site in both months, the opposite was found for zooplankton feeders. A cluster analysis, based on the abundance of each species, demonstrated that the fish assemblage structures were distinctly different between the two sites. In addition, significant differences in length frequency distributions for each of the four most abundant species were found between the sites in February and/or July. Small individuals of Scatophagus argus, Ambassis nalua, and Tetraodon nigroviridis were more common at the mangrove site, and of Chelon subviridis at the cleared site. These results suggest that mangrove deforestation exerts marked effects on fish assemblages.