Sains Malaysiana 41(12)(2012): 1517–1525

Fish Diversity and Water Quality during Flood Mitigation Works at Semariang

Mangrove Area, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

(Kepelbagaian Ikan dan Kualiti Air semasa Kerja Mitigasi Banjir di Kawasan Paya

Bakau Semariang, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia)

L. Nyanti*, R. Nur ‘Asikin & T.Y. Ling

Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak,

94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia

G. Jongkar

Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia

Received: 21 June 2010 /Accepted: 31 January 2012

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to document the fish diversity and water quality at Semariang mangrove area, Kuching, Sarawak, which is located at the eastern part of Kuching Wetland National Park. Field samplings were carried out in 2009 during the construction of the flood mitigation channel at the eastern part of the park. A total of 21 families represented by 37 species of fish were caught from the area. The six dominant families in terms of the number of individuals caught were Mugilidae (16%), Leiognathidae (16%), Ambassidae (11%), Ariidae (9%), Lutjanidae (8%) and Plotosidae (6%). In terms of the percentage of six dominant genera based on the number of individuals caught, 16% was represented by Valamugil, 11% by Ambassis, 10% by Gazza, 9% by Arius, 8% by Lutjanus and 6% by Plotosus. The values of diversity and richness indices were lower at stations located close to the flood mitigation channel. Similarly, the concentrations of dissolved oxygen were lower and total suspended solids were significantly higher at stations close to the channel and sand mining area. Therefore, fish fauna and water quality at Semariang mangrove area were affected during the construction of the flood mitigation channel.

Keywords: Fish diversity; flood mitigation channel; Semariang mangroves; water quality

ABSTRAK

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mendokumentasi kepelbagaian ikan dan kualiti air di kawasan paya bakau Semariang, Kuching, Sarawak, yang terletak di bahagian timur Taman Negara Tanah Lembab Kuching. Kerja lapangan telah dijalankan pada tahun 2009 semasa kerja membina saliran mencegah banjir dilakukan di bahagian timur kawasan taman. Sebanyak 21 famili ikan yang mewakili 37 spesies ditangkap di kawasan ini. Enam famili ikan yang paling banyak daripada segi bilangan individu yang ditangkap ialah Mugilidae (16%), Leiognathidae (16%), Ambassidae (11%), Ariidae (9%), Lutjanidae (8%) dan Plotosidae (6%). Enam genus ikan yang paling banyak daripada segi bilangan individu yang ditangkap ialah Valamugil (16%), Ambassis (11%), Gazza (10%), Arius (9%), Lutjanus (8%) dan Plotosus (6%). Bagi stesen-stesen yang terletak berhampiran dengan saliran mencegah banjir, nilai indeks kepelbagaian dan kekayaan adalah lebih rendah, kandungan kepekatan oksigen terlarut juga lebih rendah dan pepejal terampai adalah lebih tinggi secara signifikan. Oleh itu, fauna ikan dan kualiti air di kawasan paya bakau Semariang telah dipengaruhi semasa kerja pembinaan saliran mencegah banjir.

Kata kunci: Kepelbagaian ikan; kualiti air; paya bakau Semariang; saliran mencegah banjir

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*Corresponding author; email: lnyanti@frst.unimas.my