Large‐scale patterns of fish diversity and assemblage structure in the longest tropical river in Asia

Although the Mekong River is one of the world's 35 biodiversity hot spots, the large‐scale patterns of fish diversity and assemblage structure remain poorly addressed. This study aimed to investigate the fish distribution patterns in the Lower Mekong River (LMR) and to identify their environmental determinants. Daily fish catch data (i.e. from December 2000 to November 2001) at 38 sites distributed along the LMR were related to 15 physicochemical and 19 climatic variables. As a result, four different clusters were defined according to the similarity in assemblage composition and 80 indicator species were identified. While fish species richness was highest in the Mekong delta and lowest in the upper part of the LMR, the diversity index was highest in the middle part of the LMR and lowest in the delta. We found that fish assemblages changed along the environmental gradients and that the main drivers affecting the fish assemblage structure were the seasonal variation of temperature, precipitation, dissolved oxygen, pH and total phosphorus. Specifically, upstream assemblages were characterised by cyprinids and Pangasius catfish, well suited to low temperature, high dissolved oxygen and high pH. Fish assemblages in the delta were dominated by perch‐like fish and clupeids, more tolerant to high temperatures, and high levels of nutrients (nitrates and total phosphorus) and salinity. Overall, the patterns were consistent between seasons. Our study contributes to establishing the first holistic fish community study in the LMR.     

Should I stay or should I go? Fishers’ ability and willingness to adapt to environmental change in Cambodia's Tonle Sap Lake

The livelihoods of people dependent on the Tonle Sap floodplain ecosystem in Cambodia are expected to be affected by changes in economic conditions, social circumstances, environmental perturbations, demographic shifts and political climates. This study assesses how small‐scale fisheries’ livelihoods are changing in response to social and environmental conditions using the opinions of fishers collected through an intensive family survey of 514 households from Pursat and Battambang Provinces in Cambodia. Probit modelling approach was used to assess whether a fisher would continue fishing or not in the future when subjected to a variety of shifting conditions and identify the factors associated with their response. It was found that in any future condition about 50% of fishers would likely continue to fish, which suggests how much they love their traditional livelihood of fishing. The remaining 50% considered to diversify their livelihood strategy by shifting towards a combination of fishing, farming, and off‐farm jobs. Furthermore, the analysis found that the fishers will change their fishing practices depending on how other sectors in the region develop. The model showed increasing access to agricultural activities decreased the likelihood of continuing to fish, whereas finding an off‐farm job corresponded to increased likelihood of continuing to fish.     

Early Stage above Ground Interaction in Wheat-Jatropha Agrisilviculture System

Experiments were conducted to analyze the initial tree crop interaction between Jatropha curcas and wheat by planting the perennial component in East-West orientation with 8-2 m distance and wheat as intercrop at National Research Centre for Agroforestry （NRCAF）, Jhansi during July, 2007 to April, 2009. During planting of Jatropha the interaction to wheat was non-significant and influence of orientation is also nil. Eighteen months after plating Jatropha had attained the mean height of 124.56 cm, collar diameter of 6.37 cm, number of branches of 11.25, canopy diameter of 98.5 cm and yielded 18.5 g seeds per plant. During 18 MAP also observations revealed the non-significant influence of Jatropha on wheat. Observations also indicated the progress in wheat growth and yield attributes with the increase of distances from tree base and it follow the order of 0.5 m〈1.0 m〈2.0 m〈3.0, 4.0 m and open. Nearly, 62% and 14% yield loss in wheat grain was observed at 0.5 m and lm distance from the tree base respectively compare with open. Comparison ofwheat-Jatropha agrisilviculture system and sole wheat cropping indicated the net grain yield reduction up to 13.5% by agrisilviculture system. The comparison of wheat and straw yields between the two years clearly indicating that the system and sole cropping have not much differed while the influence of climatic factor is witnessed by the variation of yields over years. It revealed that the initial above ground interaction between Jatropha and wheat was due to the space that can be managed by the pruning of branches which is a recommended cultural practice of Jatropha.     

Abundance,perceptions and utilizations of termite mounds in Cambodia

In the Lower Mekong Basin, paddy fields often appear as mosaics, with soil mounds covered by trees or other plants in a spotty distribution. These soil mounds are commonly named termite ‘lenticular mounds’ because termite bioturbation is considered to be at their origin. Termite mounds host a large diversity of animals and plants, increasing landscape patchiness. Because the preservation of these islands of biodiversity is threatened by modern agricultural practices, the aim of this study was to quantify their abundance and the services they provide to the local population. The abundance of mounds and their use by the population were quantified in a catchment in Cambodia. We found that mounds density reached ~2 mounds ha⁻¹. Interviews carried out within the catchment showed that most of the interviewees used mounds for increasing the fertility of their field and for the cultivation of rice and other plants (e.g. sponge gourd and pumpkin). In addition to their potential to increase plant productivity, the survey revealed that animals (rats and snakes), mushrooms and 13 plant species found on or in mounds were consumed by the population. In addition to potentially contributing to an increase in food diversity, mounds also impacted farmers' health by allowing access to 20 medicinal plant species and indirectly via a reduction in pesticide use. In conclusion, this study is the first attempt to quantify the large number of services provided by termite mounds in Cambodia. This increase in the knowledge of the diversity of environmental and socioeconomic services provided by termite mounds is likely to contribute to their preservation and provide a basis for the sustainable management of biodiversity in paddy fields in the Lower Mekong Basin region.     

Functional ureogenesis and adaptation to ammonia metabolism in Indian freshwater air-breathing catfishes

The Indian freshwater air-breathing catfishes Heteropneustes fossilis and Clarias batrachus are hardy and capable of living in derelict water bodies and tolerating temporary water deprivation. Several studies have been made on their ureogenic adaptations, ureogenic metabolic machinery, and regulation under different physiological and environmental conditions. Both species are potentially ureogenic teleosts expressing the complete repertoire of ornithine-urea cycle (OUC) enzymes, not only in hepatic tissue but also in certain non-hepatic tissues. This review compiles the information available on the peculiarities of their ureogenic machinery and the induction of ureogenesis during adaptation to various stressful conditions such as exposure to high environmental ammonia, water deprivation, highly alkaline environment, etc. The biochemical profile and pattern of physiological adaptations, suggesting an intermediary status of these fishes in the evolution of ureotely in vertebrates, is discussed.