Species Composition of Freshwater Fishes in Nong Han Wetland Based on case study entitled : “Species Composition of Freshwater Fishes in Nong Han Wetland, Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand” Authored by : Dr. Puvadol Doydee, from Kasetsart University : Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Thailand Presented by : Dr. Puvadol Doydee, at Asia Regional Forum on Biodiversity, Cha-am, Thailand, November 2011 Nong Han Wetland (NHW) is the biggest lake in Northeast of Thailand, which is located in Sakon Nakhon Province. The wetland covers 7,456 hectares with about 0.75 meters in average depth and 158 meters elevation. Linked to the Mekong River, NHW is a freshwater reservoir dominated by several species of aquatic flora and fauna. Aquatic vegetation in this wetland contributes to habitat complexity and diversity of freshwater fishes. This ecosystem is very important in terms of local business and biodiversity conservation since it supplies water for human use, and fish for food and income of the local community. The variety of fishes also provides various ecosystem services, such as the control of algal bloom. Nong Han Wetland thus plays a significant role in terms of ecological services, food security and community business. An important undertaking in biodiversity conservation of freshwater fishes is defining its species composition and other related issues essential to resource management. Hence, a study was conducted to investigate the species composition of freshwater fishes in NHW; determine the dominance and rarity of species of freshwater fishes; and study the index of similarity to understand their structure and know what fishery resources are available for utilization and which species must be conserved. 28 THE ASIA REGIONAL FORUM ON BIODIVERSITY Study Area Nong Han Wetland in Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand is composed of littoral and limnetic zones where high and low density of aquatic plants occurs. It is located in the Northeast of Thailand, 614 kilometers from Bangkok, and is part of the Greater Mekong Sub-region. The study area was suited around 17o11’56” N latitude and 104o11’9’’ E longitude. There are 18 islands in NHW, which serve as natural habitats for various species of birds, reptiles and amphibians. Two sites were selected based on water depth and aquatic plants density. Two difference sites were Don Chaing Ban and Don Sawan (Figure 1). Site selection was based on layout of satellite image and actual field survey using Global Position System (GPS). Figure 1. A study area in NHW, Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand: Don Chaing Ban, littoral zone (1) and Don Sawan, limnetic zone (2).
In Celebration of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 84th Birthday Anniversary
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