Fish assemblages and environmental conditions in central Amazonian streams

• Grant number: 13/16230-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2013
• End date: October 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Ecosystems Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Mauricio Cetra
• Grantee: Marina Pedrosa
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias para a Sustentabilidade (CCTS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Sorocaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Changes in land use in the Amazon region cause changes in the landscape that may have effects on the local fauna. Fish from streams in Central Amazonia are dependent on allochthons material, from the forest, because the primary production in streams is low, due to the density of the forest. However, situations of deforestation or land abandonment (with subsequent formation of secondary forest) can influence the structure of fish communities. The objectives of this project are: I) test for differences in species richness, diversity and species composition of fish between streams of primary and secondary forest, II) verify that the physical and chemical characteristics of the water and the substrate channel are related to the structure of fish assemblages. We will carry out surveys in 20 streams and apply univariate and multivariate analysis.