The Effect of Anthropogenic Activities on the Fish Fauna of the Devrez Stream (Turkiye)

Abstract

Fish diversity, taxonomic characteristics, endemism-conservation status, habitat evaluation and threat elements of the ichthyofauna of the Devrez River was investigated monthly between April 2020 and March 2021. Eight taxa (seven native, one non-native species) belonging to four families (Cyprinidae, Gobionidae, Leuciscidae, Gobiidae) were identified. Five out of eight species were endemic and Chondrostoma angorense was reported for the first time in the Devrez River. Squalius cephalus (32.5%), Chondrostoma angorense (24.4%), Capoeta tinca (23.9%) and Alburnoides freyhofi (11.1%) were the most common and abundant species while Pseudorasbora parva (0.5%), Barbus anatolicus (1.2%), Alburnus goekhani (2.4%) and Neogobius fluviatilis (4%) were the most rarely encountered species. Drought, agricultural irrigation and Devrez Kızlaryolu Dam, which is under construction, were considered as major threats for fish fauna. The impacts of the dam construction on ecosystem were evaluated.