Analysis range of habitat use and habitat selection by Oxynoemacheilus bergianus in Kordan River (Namak basin)

Conservation of fish biodiversity, efficient management and restoration of theecosystem requires better understanding of the natural environment and provision ofa clear description of the fish habitat characteristics. In this regard, habitat use andhabitat preference indices that consider the availability of the habitats are used. Basedon the fact that there is little information about natural habitat of the native loachOxynoemacheilus bergianus, this study was conducted to analyze the habitat rangeand the preferred habitat of the loach in Kordan River. Hence, the variables includingwater depth, river width and slope, altitude, water flow rate and debit, substratematerial, overstream canopy closure, and the riparian vegetation type, along with therelative abundance of the fish species were analyzed in 68 stations along the river.Based on the results, the habitat use of this species in Koradan River was in altitudesof 1300-1500 meters above sea level, widths of 5-15 m, slopes of 0-49 m/km slope,depths of 6-42cm, and flow rate of 0.3-1.2 m/s. The highest value of the standardizedhabitat selectivity indices for loach in Kordan River were related to the altitudes of1400-1500 m, widths of 10-12.5m, slopes of 14-21m/km, depths of 17-24cm, andflow rates of 1.1-1.2 m/s. In addition, in the habitats selected by this species, thesubstrate was gravely, banks had little riparian vegetation cover, and little overstreamcanopy closure.

Keywords:

Habitat selection , Habitat preference , Oxynoemacheilus bergianus , Kordan River