Fish species occurrence and composition in shallow (wetland) habitats of Northern Lake Victoria (Uganda) DataSet Details

Description:

The dataset comprises occurrence data, species relative abundance (number and weight), and sample length of fish species in shallow, wetland fringes of the northern portion of Lake Victoria collected between 1993 and 1996. The data can be used as a baseline to assess the impact of recent/ongoing wetland/shoreline degradation on fish species composition and abundance.

Purpose:

The data were collected to understand the distribution of fish species in different vegetation fringes within the shallow habitats of Lake Victoria. By comparison with the most recent data, this dataset can reveal the impact of wetland or nearshore degradation on fish species composition and abundance.

Temporal scope:

1993-1996

Taxonomic scope:

8 orders;
7 families;
15 genera;
30 species.

Methodology:

Sampling was conducted parallel to the shoreline off each dominant vegetation type (Vossia, Papyrus, Phragmites, Typha, Water hyacinths). For each habitat type, sampling was done close to the shoreline (Shoreline), 50 m from the shoreline (Middle), and 100 m from the shoreline (Offshore). Fish were captured using multifilament gillnets and basket traps set overnight. Complete details of sampling are available in Balirwa (1998).

Bibliography:

Balirwa, J.S. (1998) Lake Victoria Wetlands and the ecology of the Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus Linne. PhD Dissertation, Wageningen Agricultural University, Delft, the Netherlands.

Number of Occurrencies:

1,525 Records

Authors:

Vianny Natugonza

Laban Musinguzi

Monic Nsega

John Balirwa