Terrestrial-focused protected areas are effective for conservation of freshwater fish diversity in Lake Tanganyika

摘要: Abstract Freshwater protected areas are rarely designed specifically for this purpose and consequently their conservation benefit cannot be guaranteed. Using Lake Tanganyika as a test case we investigated the benefits of terrestrial-focussed on alpha beta taxonomic functional diversity diverse endemic rocky-shore cichlid fishes. has limited shorelines continued human population growth in its catchment, which potential negative impacts habitat quality key biological processes. We conducted 554 underwater surveys across gradient disturbance including two areas, along 180 km Tanzanian coastline, sampling 70 species representing range life-histories trophic groups. Alpha was up to 50% lower outside herbivores appeared most affected. Turnover dominated within-locality variation diversity, but nestedness component positively related indicating an increase generalist areas. Within decline zeta (the expected number shared multiple surveys) best described by power law functions, occur when local abundance is predicted regional abundance; declined exponentially unprotected waters dominance stochastic assembly. Despite not being purpose, clearly benefitting within Tanganyika, probably through reduction sediment deposition and/or pollution, cichlids can poor dispersers area coverage should expanded isolated communities.