Spatial shifts and habitat partitioning of ichthyofauna within the middle–lower region of the Pungwe Basin, Mozambique

Abstract

Freshwater resources are under stress because of anthropogenic activities and the demand for water increasing on a global scale, including hydropower. There are presently plans to expand the use of hydropower within eastern and southern Africa. A key river system identified as a potential source of energy is the Pungwe River, with the proposed Pavua Dam located within the middle reaches of the system in Mozambique. However, impoundments have been recorded to negatively influence ichthyofauna communities via alterations to water quality and discharge. Furthermore, information on the structure of the ichthyofauna community, community spatial shifts and fine-scale habitat preferences for the region are lacking. Accordingly, the research sought to address this issue, to provide baseline data as well as inform on management of the system. Ichthyofauna were collected utilising an array of passive and active techniques and species data modelled to fit spatial factors to ascertain spatial shifts. To ascertain fine-scale habitat preferences, fourth-corner modelling was undertaken to link mouth position and body shape traits to substrate composition and cover features. Spatial heterogeneity in environmental characteristics caused by the intrusion of the African Rift Valley had driven significant spatial shifts in the ichthyofauna community, with distinct groups of species occurring within the sample sites. The findings of the study indicated that the ichthyofauna community within the Muazi River were significantly different to the Pungwe River and the community will be lost from the region because of the dam footprint. Furthermore, habitat preferences were influenced by mouth position and body shape. Consequently, alteration to environmental characteristics and habitat features is likely to negatively influence the ichthyofauna community.

Keywords:

• Pavua Dam
• Muazi River
• hydropower
• feeding guild
• species traits

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the relevant Mozambique governmental bodies and to Gorongosa National Park for enabling the research to be undertaken. The efforts of those individuals who aided the researchers in undertaking fieldwork are gratefully appreciated. CTD and MD are grateful to the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the the National Research Foundation (ZA) for funding.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

Data are available on request.

Notes on contributors

Dr Mahomed Desai, Dr Gordon O’Brien, Andrew Husted and Christian Fry are biologists with a special interest in freshwater ecosystems. Prof. Colleen T. Downs is a terrestrial vertebrate biologist and holds the NRF SARChI Research Chair in Ecosystem health and biodiversity in KwaZulu-Natal and the E. Cape at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg campus.

Additional information

Funding

This work was partially supported by the National Research Fund (ZA) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal. MD received a doctoral bursary from the National Research Fund (ZA). CF and AH were funded by the Biodiversity Company, Johannesburg.