ECOPERSIA

ECOPERSIA

Fish Assemblage Structure and Waterbird Occurrence in Keddara Reservoir (Northern Algeria): Baseline Information for Biodiversity Monitoring

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
Kaouther MEDJAHED 1
Zakia KACI 1
Miliani DJEZZAR 1
Mohammed BICHE 2
1 Water, Rock, and Plant Laboratory, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences and Earth Sciences, Djilali Bounaama University, Khemis- Miliana, Ain Defla, Algeria, 44225
2 Plant Protection Laboratory for Agricultural and Natural Environments against Crop Pests, Department of Agricultural and Forestry Zoology, National Higher School of Agronomy, El Harrach, Algiers, Algeria, 16200
10.48311/ecopersia.2026.121384.82917
Abstract
Aims: This study provides the first checklist of waterbird species recorded in Keddara Reservoir (KR), updates the inventory of its fish fauna, and characterizes the structure of the fish assemblage.
Materials & Methods: Fish and waterbird surveys were conducted between January and December 2025. Fish were sampled using gill nets, traps, and fishing rods, while waterbirds were recorded through direct field observations. Fish community structure was assessed using relative abundance, diversity indices, and rank-abundance analysis, whereas waterbird assemblage patterns were evaluated using frequency of occurrence (FO).
Findings: Seven fish species and seven waterbird species were recorded during the study period. All fish species were non-native taxa. The fish assemblage showed moderate diversity (H′ = 1.574; 1−D = 0.767) and was dominated by three introduced species (Alburnus alburnus, Carassius gibelio, and Micropterus salmoides). Comparison with historical records indicated changes in fish community composition, including the absence of previously reported native barbels and the detection of Abramis brama, not previously recorded in the reservoir. The waterbird community comprised seven species, with marked differences in their occurrence frequencies. Larus michahellis showed the highest FO, followed by Anas platyrhynchos, whereas the remaining species exhibited lower values.
Conclusion: This study provides baseline information for monitoring fish community changes, the status of historically reported native species, and waterbird occurrence patterns in KR. The results highlight the dominance of introduced fishes and the need for long-term surveys better to understand temporal changes in this artificial freshwater ecosystem.
Keywords
Artificial Reservoir
Biodiversity Inventory
Freshwater Fish
Keddara Reservoir
Waterbirds
Subjects
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