Abstract:
Peat swamp forests are among the most distinctive and threatened freshwater
ecosystems in Southeast Asia, providing critical habitats for endemic and
endangered aquatic species. This study evaluated fish assemblages as indicators of
peat swamp health in the Sungai Karang Forest Reserve, Selangor, Malaysia.
Sampling was conducted over a month, from August 23, 2020, to September 24,
2020, across five habitat-diverse sites, utilizing two complementary capture
methods, such as fish traps and scoop nets, to maximize species detection. A total
of 423 individual fish representing 13 species, six families, and five orders were
recorded. The Osphronemidae family was the most diverse, comprising over half
of the total assemblage, with notable presence of Betta livida and Betta
hipposideros, both classified as endangered by the IUCN. Catch per unit effort
(CPUE) assessments revealed that Betta livida was the most captured species using
fish traps and scoop nets combined, indicating its abundance. Pristolepis fasciata
and Betta bellica also showed high capture rates, along with notable catches of
Helostoma temminckii, Trichopodus trichopterus. Biodiversity was assessed using
three ecological indices. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index yielded a value of
2.36, indicating moderate to high species diversity, while the Berger-Parker
dominance index of 0.14 reflected low dominance by any single species. Notably,
scoop nets proved more effective than fish traps in terms of capture volume and
species range, accounting for 75.7% of the total individuals collected. Significant
differences in catch composition between the two gear types were statistically
supported (F = 56.573, p < 0.05), highlighting the influence of sampling methods
on biodiversity assessments. The Sungai Karang Forest Reserve has a diverse
freshwater fish community, highlighting its ecological importance. The presence
of endangered species emphasizes the need to protect peat swamp habitats from
threats like habitat alteration, runoff, and ecotourism. Ongoing biodiversity
monitoring, habitat conservation, and community efforts are crucial to preserve
Malaysia’s peat swamp ecosystems.
