Aim To compile an inventory of freshwater fish species in China, and to investigate these data to determine spatial patterns in species richness, endemism and threatened species for the purpose of facilitating conservation. Location China Methods Literature, databases and fish collections were examined to create an inventory database of freshwater fishes of China. This list was analysed to determine species richness, endemism and threatened species. spss and origin software were used to determine relationships between these three parameters across the area and length of river basins. Coefficients of fish diversity for each major river were calculated using the Gleason Index. Results Chinese freshwater fish fauna is comprised of 1323 species; the majority of species belong to Cypriniformes and Cyprinidae. Of 877 species endemic to China, 161 of 199 threatened species are endemic, with most classified as ‘endangered’ (85 species) or ‘vulnerable’ (70). Species endemism and the number of threatened species correlate positively with species richness. River basin area and length have no direct bearing on either species richness or endemism. The Pearl River was identified as the most species‐rich system. It also has the most endemic and threatened fish species. Main conclusions China's vast size, variable geography and climate influence patterns in species diversity and endemism. Its freshwater fish fauna is rich and largely endemic and a significant number of these endemic species are threatened. Dam construction, water pollution, overfishing and invasive species pose threats to native biodiversity. National assessment of threatened species is urgently needed. The Yangtze, Yellow and Pearl rivers require prioritized national protection. Environmental effects of development require serious consideration and, potentially, proactive conservation efforts and mitigation. Development on international rivers needs to consider environmental policies of all countries owning spans of the systems, particularly the wishes and concerns of nations with lower spans of a system.
Summary Chinese Sturgeon Natural Reserve (CSNR) is a typical river ecosystem in the middle of the Yangtze River. An evaluation system of the river ecosystem services of CSNR was established using the so‐called ‘Market Price Approach’, ‘Expense Payment Method’, ‘Contingent Valuation Method’, ‘Substituted Value Method’, ‘Cost Analysis Method’ and ‘Opportunity Cost Method’. The results showed that the total values of the ecosystem goods and services of the natural reserve amount to an estimated 73.57 million USD. The use‐values and non use‐values were 72.5 and 27.5%, respectively. The direct use values, including fisheries, water supplies and others, reach a total of about 24.23 million USD; On the other hand, the indirect use values, which include endangered species, purification costs and degradation losses, have been estimated at cost levels of approximately 29.12 million USD, indicating with 39.6% its important role of the total value. Meanwhile the non‐use values of CSNR in the Yichang Reaches of the Yangtze River were assessed by a contingent valuation method (CVM) and the willingness to pay (WTP), The study shows that the annual non‐use values of CSNR is up to 20.22 million USD, of which its existence values is in the range of 8.59 million USD, its bequest values 8.03 million USD, and the option values around 3.6 million USD. This preliminary analysis indicates that this natural reserve represents a special hydro‐ecosystem in China with the sturgeon as target species, which is highly valued. The value of endangered aquatic species is up to 25.2% of the total, which places much emphasis on aquatic species. Investment in scientific research and management is presently quite low, amounting to only 0.7% of the total; this fact incidates that research work should be given more concern and support. Limited by the data availability, data processing capacity and time given, result of this initial investigation only represents part of CSNR’s assessable value, however, considering the reality that lots of water resource and hydropower projects are now on the way, this valuation will still be helpful to inform the public with the importance of protecting endangered aquatic wildlife and such special hydro‐ecosystem.
Summary Length–weight relationships (LWRs) of three Chinese endemic fish species (Gymnocypris eckloni eckloni Herzenstein, 1891, Platypharodon extremus Herzenstein, 1891 and Triplophysa pseudoscleroptera (Zhu & Wu, 1981)) were analyzed, collecting from the upper Yellow River (Xunhua and Guide Counties, Qinghai Province). Totally 347 specimens monthly collected by gill nets with 40 mm mesh size and traps with 5 m length from August to October 2014, were used to estimate the relationship parameters. The allometric factor b values ranged from 2.96 in T. pseudoscleroptera to 3.33 in G. eckloni eckloni. The condition factor a values varies between 0.0063 and 0.0175 in three species. Three WLRs of fishes distributed in the upper Yellow River were firstly reported and will fill in some of the empty spaces on endemic species in the Fishbase.
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