Assessing Fish Species Tolerance in the Huntai River Basin, China: Biological Traits versus Weighted Averaging Approaches

Abstract

Fish species tolerance used as a component of fish-index of biological integrity (F-IBI) can be problematic as it is usually classified using the historical data, data from literature or expert judgments. In this study, fish assemblages, water quality parameters and physical habitat factors from 206 sampling sites in the Huntai River Basin were analyzed to develop tolerance indicator values (TIVs) of fish based on a (Fb-TIVs) and the weighted averaging (WA) method (FW-TIVs). The two quantitative methods for fish tolerance were then compared. The FW-TIVs and Fb-TIVs of fish species were calculated separately using a WA inference model based on ten water quality parameters (WT, pH, DO, SC, TDS, NH3, NO2−, NO3−, TP, Cl−, and SO42−), and six biological traits (lithophilic spawning, benthic invertivores, cold water species, equilibrium or periodic life history strategies, families of Cottidae, and species distribution range). Fish species were then classified into biological traits approach three categories (tolerant species, moderately tolerant species, and sensitive species). The results indicated that only 30.3% fish species have the same classification based on FW-TIVs and Fb-TIVs. However, the proportion of tolerant species based on two methods had a similar response to environmental stress, and these tolerant species were correlated with PCA axes 1 site scores obtained by (FW-TIVs, p < 0.05, R2 = 0.434; Fb-TIVs, p < 0.05, R2 = 0.334) and not correlated with PCA axis 2 site scores (FW-TIVs, p > 0.05, R2 = 0.001; Fb-TIVs, p > 0.05, R2 = 0.012) and PCA axis 3 site scores (FW-TIVs, p > 0.05, R2 = 0.000; Fb-TIVs, p > 0.05, R2 = 0.013). The results of linear regression analyses indicated that Fb-TIVs can be used for the study of fish tolerance. Fish tolerance assessments based on FW-TIVs requires long-term monitoring of fish assemblages and water quality parameters to provide sufficient data for quantitative studies. The Fb-TIV method relies on the accurate identification of fish traits by an ichthyologist. The two methods used in this study can provide methodological references for quantitative studies of fish tolerance in other regions, and are of great significance for the development of biological assessment tools.

Understanding the relative roles of local environmental, geo‐climatic and spatial factors for taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic β‐diversity of stream fishes in a large basin, Northeast China

“…Nonetheless, nonpoint source pollution from agricultural lands and urban outputs will be a crucial factor influencing water quality in the basin (Nobre et al, 2020 ). Most researchers have concerned themselves with the relationship between riverine organisms (fish, macroinvertebrates, and benthic algae) and environmental factors in the basin (Wu et al, 2021 ), as well as the ecosystem integrity assessment (Wang et al, 2018 ). However, little research has focused on the relative contribution of each component of fish β ‐diversity (Qian et al, 2021 ), and the main drivers of these components (Wu et al, 2021 ).…”

“…This may promote our understanding of the historical evolution of communities and contemporary ecological changes (Cassia‐Silva et al, 2019 ; Qian et al, 2020 ). Second, by studying the functional traits of species, we can understand the structure of species combinations and their impact on ecosystems and help to understand the community aggregation process at different spatial scales and develop ecological conservation strategies (Coleman et al, 2015 ; Wang et al, 2018 ). Additionally, it can also provide a helpful perspective on the spatial and temporal variations of species distribution and abundance (Frimpong & Angermeier, 2009 ) and address contemporary issues in freshwater fish management and conservation.…”

“…This may promote our understanding of the historical evolution of communities and contemporary ecological changes (Cassia-Silva et al, 2019;Qian et al, 2020). Second, by studying the functional traits of species, we can understand the structure of species combinations and their impact on ecosystems and help to understand the community aggregation process at different spatial scales and develop ecological conservation strategies (Coleman et al, 2015;Wang et al, 2018).…”

Assessment of the Ecological Health of Afrotropical Rivers Using Fish Assemblages: A Case Study of Selected Rivers in the Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya

“…Ranking of species tolerance to human perturbations in riverine ecosystems has been based on qualitative professional judgments and/or literature from outside the LVB, usually with little support from empirical, ecological or physiological data (Wang et al, 2018). The tolerance rankings of other species have been based on simple mathematical explorations, which are easy to implement, but do not account for natural or multiple environmental variables (Lenat, 1993;Segurado et al, 2011).…”

Distribution and Trophic Pattern of Non-Native Fish Species Across the Liao River Basin in China

“…The quality of physical habitats within the river was determined using the habitat evaluation index system which includes the following habitat factors: substrate, habitat complexity, velocity-depth combination, bank stability, channelization, channel flow status, water quality conditions, bank vegetative diversity, intensity of human disturbance, riverside land use, and aquatic plant abundance (Table A1). The habitat assessment index was derived from [34,35] and from the indices originally used in the U.S. Rapid Bioassessment Protocols [36].…”