Species turnover of fish at upstream Sungai Raya, Sri Aman along the distance gradient from longhouse settlement

• Main Author: Brandon Duih, Daniel Ritchi
• Format: Final Year Project Report
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, (UNIMAS) 2022
• Subjects: QL Zoology; SH Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/39620/1/Brandon%20Duih%20ft.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/39620/

The study of distribution of freshwater fishes is important for understanding factors that influence the structure of fish community. Sungai Raya is important fishing ground for Iban community in the area and as well serve as recreational site. This study on fishes at Sungai Raya aims to determine species changes along a distance gradient from a longhouse that could lead to loss of species at local place. It is hypothesized that the intensity of fishing activity and anthropogenic disturbance decreases with distance from the longhouse. The second hypothesis implies that species changes or turnover of fish will also decrease with distance from the longhouse. Fish sampling was conducted at three sites located approximately at 200 m, 400 m, and 600 m from the longhouse. At each sampling site, about 10 m stretch of the stream channel was blocked with nets at upstream and downstream. The fish trapped in the blocked area were captured using scoop net. A total of 102 individuals from five species were caught. A beta diversity index was used to determine the species turnover at each site. The finding of the study enhances our understanding of species richness change due to the intensity of fishing activity along a distance gradient from human settlement.