ECOLOGICAL FACTORS AFFECTING FISH DIVERSITY AND DENSITY IN SUNGKAI WILDLIFE RESERVE, PERAK, MALAYSIA
AHMAD, A.K., MOHD SHAM, O., SHUKOR, M.N. AWENG, EH-R. and
SHUHAIMI-OTHMAN, O
Keywords: fish density, substrate type, habitat type, stream order, ecological factors.
Published in Volume 9
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Abstract:
The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between various stream (or Sungai) ecological factors as regards
to fish population density. Stream ecological factors such as substrate type, stream order, habitat type and disturbance status
were investigated to estimate their influence on fish presence and density. Fishes were sampled using electrofishing method
(Electrofisher Model 15-D Honda EX 350 engine). Results showed that substrate type, stream type and disturbance have
significant influence on fish density. On the other hand, habitat type did not significantly affect fish density. Highest fish
density was recorded at the stream segment with sand/gravel substrate (21.47 individuals/m 3 ) while segments with sand/silt
substrate showed the lowest fish density (2.63 individuals/m 3 ). First order stream had the highest fish density (22.53 individu-
als/m 3 ) followed by second order stream (5.86 individual / m 3 ) and third order stream (0.88 individual/m 3 ). Undisturbed streams
also showed a significantly high fish density (12.17 individual/m 3 ) as compared to disturbed streams. This study showed that
fish density in Sungkai Wildlife Reserve area was very dependent on ecosystem characteristics.