Biodiv Sci ›› 2022, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (11): 22260.  DOI: 10.17520/biods.2022260

• Original Papers: Animal Diversity • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Fish diversity of Wuyishan National Park and its adjacent areas

Qiuju Chen1,2,3, Zhixian Sun3, Xuejian Li1,3,5, Rui Zhang3, Rui Xi1,2,3, Chen Tian3,4, Xin Wang1,2,3, Yingchun Xing2,*(), Yahui Zhao3,*()   

  1. 1. National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306
    2. Resource and Environmental Research Center, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Beijing 100141
    3. Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101
    4. College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002
    5. Institute of Shandong River Wetlands, Jinan 271199
  • Accepted:2022-09-21 Online:2022-11-20 Published:2022-11-15
  • Contact: Yingchun Xing,Yahui Zhao

Abstract:

Purpose: Wuyishan National Park is among the first national parks officially established in China in 2021. The park locates in Wuyishan Mountains, where are the boundary of the South China Area and the East China Area in the South- east Asiatic Subregion in terms of animal geographical division. Understanding the current composition of fish diversity in Wuyishan National Park and its adjacent areas is significant to explore the influence of Wuyishan Mountains in China’s freshwater fish fauna. More importantly, to investigate the fish diversity and resource status in different dimensions enable us create comprehensive conservation strategy for Wuyishan National Park from the perspective of ecological protection and economic development. And it will also benefit all stakeholders at the same time.

Methods: We investigated the Chongyangxi, Beixi, Mayangxi, Jiuquxi, and Yanshan rivers in Wuyishan National Park and its adjacent areas in dry (April) and rainy (July) seasons of 2021. The fish diversity of five rivers was evaluated using three species diversity indices (Margalef richness index, Shannon-Wiener diversity index and Pielou evenness index) and three functional diversity indices (functional richness, functional evenness and functional divergence). Fish abundance greater than 10% of the total species is considered as the dominant species in this study.

Results: Based on historical data and our current surveys, we investigated 113 native fish species belonging to 61 genera, 17 families, and 5 orders in Wuyishan National Park and its adjacent areas. Cypriniformes and Perciformes are dominant orders, accounting for 72.6% and 14.2% of the native fish species, respectively. Myxocyprinus asiaticus, Anguilla marmorata and Anguilla japonica are threatened fish in this area, of which Myxocyprinus asiaticus and Anguilla marmorata are listed in the List of Key Protected Wild Animals in China. The diversity analysis showed that the Margalef richness index, Shannon-Wiener diversity index and Pielou evenness index of Wuyishan National Park were lower than those of the neighbouring regions. The dominant species in Wuyishan National Park is Pseudocastromyzon fasciatus, and neighbouring regions is Squalidus woltersorffi. Among five rivers, the fish diversity in the Mayangxi River is the highest and the one of the Yanshan River is the lowest. The results of functional diversity showed that the function divergence and functional evenness of Wuyishan National Park were significantly higher than it’s neighbouring regions. The functional richness of the Beixi River was obviously higher than that of other rivers.

Conclusions: The relatively low fish-diversity in Wuyishan National Park might be attributed to the low heterogeneities of natural habitats in mountain areas and influences of tourists. In addition, factors that impact the fish diversity in neighbouring regions include water pollution, overfishing and water conservancy facilities. Both water pollution and overfishing could change the population structure of fish, causing pollution-resistant and small-sized fish becoming dominant in the water. The construction of hydropower stations has changed the habitats from a flowing water to still water. These hydropower stations cut the connections between upstream and downstream rivers, which led to the disappearance of spawning grounds. Therefore, the comprehensive and long-term monitoring of fish diversity in Wuyishan National Park is urgently needed to strengthen the overall protection.

Key words: Wuyishan National Park, species diversity, business transparency, functional diversity, conservation