Decline in fish species diversity due to climatic and anthropogenic factors in Hakaluki Haor, an ecologically critical wetland in northeast Bangladesh

• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05861
• Publication Date: 2021-01-10T13:03:51Z
• Authors: Md. Saifullah Bin...; Neaz A. Hasan; Md. Mostafizur Ra...; Md. Mehedi Alam; Mohammad Mahfujul...
• Keywords: Overfishing; Coastal fish; Overexploitation

This study evaluates changes in fish species diversity over time Hakaluki Haor, an ecologically critical wetland Bangladesh, and the factors affecting this diversity. Fish data were collected from fishers using participatory rural appraisal tools change was determined Shannon-Wiener, Margalef's Richness Pielou's Evenness indices. Principal component analysis (PCA) conducted with a dataset of 150 survey to characterize major responsible for reduction Out 63 species, 83% them under available category 2008 which decreased 51% 2018. indices all 12 taxonomic orders declined remarkably The first PCA (climatic change) reduced explained 24.05% variance consisted erratic rainfall (positive correlation coefficient 0.680), heavy (−0.544), temperature fluctuation (0.561), beel siltation (0.503). second anthropogenic activity, including use harmful fishing gear (0.702), application urea harvest (0.673), drying beels annually (0.531), overfishing (0.513). Finally, third loaded fishermen age (0.719), education (−0.767), experience (0.695) fishers. Deepening could enhance dry season water availability shelter fish. Imposing fisheries regulations reduce human activities is inevitable sustain haor fisheries.