Global Journal of Biology, Agriculture & Health Sciences

Abstract

A FISH INDEX OF BIOTIC INTEGRITY FOR EVALUATION OF FISH ASSEMBLAGE ENVIRONMENT IN RESTORED CHYBAISH MARSH, IRAQ

Abdul-Razak M. Mohamed

A multimetric fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) was depended to assess the status of the fish assemblage of Chybaish marsh, Iraq from October 2005 to September 2006. IBI scores were calculated from 14 separate assemblage metrics based on the species richness, species composition and trophic groups. After more than two years of restoration activities, the state of the fish community in Chybaish marsh was fair (IBI= 45.6%), and was worse than the Huwazah Marsh, but slightly better than the Hammar marsh. The results revealed that no substantial improvements have been recorded during the late years of restoration, reflect that the environment is still fragile and need time to be recovering.

Published Date: 2013-10-12;