Composition and health of fish in refugia habitat of ephemeral tributaries to the lower Zambezi in southern Africa

摘要: The ecology of dryland rivers is under-studied in Africa. During seasonal droughts, these cease flowing resulting disconnected pools that restrict the movement aquatic species. Few studies have focussed on conditions refugia or their effect fish. We investigated influence pool size and water quality abundance composition fish, including body condition (BC) a quantitative heath assessment index (HAI) individual species tributaries lower Zambezi during dry season. Although no single was found among all sites, either both Cichlidae Cyprinidae families were recovered 12 15 locations. Fish biomass richness positively correlated with size. As declined, BC declined while improved. By contrast, HAI related (declined) to increased dissolved oxygen negatively nutrients. conclude affect fish communities but direction can be dependent. Increasing our understanding effects land-use water-use habitat consequences for freshwater ecosystems general should an important goal towards improving rural livelihoods.