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Ecological impact of destruction of mangrove vegetation on juvenile fish populations in Negombo lagoon

Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Zoology, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
  • 2Department of Zoology, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka

Int. Res. J. Environment Sci., Volume 8, Issue (4), Pages 14-20, October,22 (2019)

Abstract

The present study was to assess the impact of destruction of mangrove on distribution of juvenile fish. The samples were collected during January 2015 to June 2015 at day time and low tide using a drag net. It was dragged in the water at the edge of the lagoon in two selected sites, Kadolkele (mangrove area) and Liyanagemulla (mangrove cleared area). Total of 102 juvenile fish were collected, belonging to 14 species representing of 11 families. Oryzias melastigma was the most abundant fish species (26.47%), followed by Hemiramphus marginatus (21.56%) and Atherinomorus duodecimalis (9.80%). Hemirhamphus marginatus was the most common species in both habitats. Oryzias melastigma was the most abundant species recorded from mangrove area followed by A. duodecimalis, and H. marginatus. Kadolkele site recorded 13 species while Liyanagemulla recorded 2 species. Diversity of fish associted with mangrove area was higher than that of the other area. This indicates that mangrove areas are the most preferable nursery habitats for juvenile fish. However, it has shown that there is an ecological impact of destruction of mangroves on the distribution of juvenile fish populations.The distribution and abundance of number of species and individuals are highly depend on salinity (P&

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