Biotic indices to be used for assessment of Ichthyofauna structure of the Zapadna Morava river (West Serbia, the Danube basin)

Abstract

The presence of 25 fish species from 8 families was found to exist in the ichthyofauna of the Zapadna Morava river (the Danube basin, West Serbia) in the period from 1996-1999. The structure of the fish community was analysed using a substantial number of indices (Shannon's index - diversity Margalef's index of diversity, Sorensen's index of biotic similarity and Saprobic index of community). Qualitative-quantitative relationships in the ichthyofauna of the 4 river and one lake profiles were compared, too. High differences due to diversity in the general environmental conditions existing in the individual habitats were also established. An excessively high antropogenous impact on the diversity of aquatic ecosystems gave rise not only to a deteriorated water quality, but also to an abundance of the allochthonous ichthyofauna representatives.

Keywords

• Zapadna Morava
• ichthyofauna
• analysis
• information indices