Untitled - WWF - Pakistan

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Detailed Ecological Assessment Report 2008 – Keenjhar Lake 1.2.5 Freshwater Fisheries 1.2.5.1 Objective a. Enlist and describe existing resident and migratory fish resources, their abundance, diversity and habitats in the study area b. Prepare a taxonomical checklist of all the species with their English and local names and their status in the core and buffer zones c. Help in developing GIS based information regarding occurrence and distribution of fish fauna. d. Document the anticipated changes to resident and migratory fish population in the study area. e. Document and describe fish species of “special concern” regarding the economic and ecological perspectives found in the study area f. Suggest suitable methods of monitoring fish in the core and buffer zones of the study area. g. Conduct a local survey of the fishermen to assess the trends of fish production for the last ten years. h. Develop simple indicators for assessing the population trends of the fish that can be applied by the local staff in future. i. Study the suitability or otherwise of the conventional fish ladders used in barrages and recommend the suitable measures for safe passage of all and critical fish fauna including Blind Indus dolphin. j. Describe and assess potential anthropogenic impacts on fish species found in the study area k. Submit a comprehensive baseline reports and monitoring plan to the team Leader. 1.2.6 Phytoplankton 1.2.6.1 Rationale Qualitative and quantitative determinations of algae is essential for determining the aquatic productivity, as algae is the chief source of food for aquatic animals including the important group of Cryptogamic flora. Some species are excellent whilst others are good producers of food in the food cycle of aquatic ecosystems. Algae is widely distributed and is an important component of various ecosystems like marine, rivers, ponds, streams, dams, lakes etc. Algal flora can also be used as a good indicator of pollution (Patrick & Reimer, 1966). Algae are among the most important and prime segment of the aquatic environment. The quantity and quality of algal flora is affected by many ecological factors, which influence the diversity of algae directly or indirectly. The main factors determining algal diversity are temperature, availability of nutrients, light, CO2 and oxygen. In lake in the subtropical region, water temperature plays an important role for the production of algae up to a certain limit. Carbon dioxide is critically important and only those water bodies abundantly supplied by this gas can support sufficient growth of algae. The excess amount of CO2, however, causes water-blooms which is a growth of algae at or near the surface of a body of water; followed by a series of disturbed biological conditions. Oxygen is one of the primary limiting and determining factors in phytoplankton ecology. Algae produces abundant oxygen during the daytime, which is, consumed both by the fish and by the algae itself. The amount of oxygen produced by algae determines the quantity and kinds of aquatic life which a water body may support at different levels. Light and nutrients also play a direct role for qualitative and quantitative growth of algae. Extraordinary high concentration of nutrients is, however, associated with eutrophication resulting in algal blooms. WWF Pakistan – Indus for All Programme Page 12 of 165
Detailed Ecological Assessment Report 2008 – Keenjhar Lake It is believed that the first living cell that appeared on planet earth emerged from the ocean. In all its form, life has developed from the growth of mono-cellular algae. About 90% of the species of marine autotrophs are algae and about 50% of the global photosynthesis is algal derived thus every second molecule of oxygen we inhale come from algae and algae reuse every second molecule of carbon dioxide we exhale (Melkinian 1995). The importance of algae and their consumption for human is well known since 300 BC in China and Japan. These two countries are the major algae/sea weed cultivators, producers and consumers in the world such as the Indian Ocean region countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Korea. Algae/sea weeds are used in salad, jelly, soup. In Pakistan algae/sea weeds consumption is negligible so there is need for awareness of algae as a source of health, basic food as they are rich and an easily available source of vitamins, minerals and trace elements. 1.2.6.2 Objectives of the study: a. Collection and identification of phytoplankton/algal samples using latest techniques. b. Preservation according to standard method. c. Document the changes to algae and other aquatic plants in study area. d. Document and describe algae and other aquatic plants species of “special concern” regarding the economic and ecological perspective found in the study area. e. Suggest suitable species of algae and other aquatic plants used by fish in study area. f. To submit a comprehensive baseline reports and monitoring plan. 1.2.7 Zooplankton 1.2.7.1 Rationale Invertebrates have complicated and imperative roles in maintenance of biotic communities. They are integral to nearly every food chain, either directly, as food for fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, or indirectly, as agents in the continuous recycling of nutrients in the soil. Almost all food webs are dependent on invertebrate species that are performing vital ecological functions such as pollination or seed dispersal. A world without invertebrates would be impoverished and fragile, and ecosystems would collapse. Also the sheer number and mass of invertebrates reflects their enormous ecological impact. Though some invertebrates have a negative impact on humans, either by harming them directly as disease agents or attacking some of their interests, still all adverse effects combined are insignificant compared to their beneficial effects. Invertebrates have been recognized as sensitive biological indicator species of environmental conditions in rivers and streams. These bio-indicators are increasingly being depended as tools for monitoring health of ecosystems, especially that of wetlands. Aquatic macro-invertebrates comprising annelids, mollusks, crustaceans, arachnids and insects are considered reliable indicators of wetland health. The sensitivity and tolerance of invertebrate species make these organisms an excellent group to provide information on overall wetland condition. Invertebrates live in a vast range of habitats, from forests and deserts to caves and seabed mud. In oceans and freshwaters they form part of the plankton, which comprise of an immense array of tiny living organisms that drift in the surface currents. Invertebrates are also found in the soil beneath and in the air above our heads. Some use wings to propel but others, particularly the smallest WWF Pakistan – Indus for All Programme Page 13 of 165
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