Spatiotemporal Studies in the Fish Fauna of Kole Wetlands of Kerala

Abstract

The Kole wetlands, part of the Vembanad–Kol wetland system in Kerala, are among the most fertile and productive ecosystems on Earth. A detailed study conducted between January 2012 to December 2013 examined the spatiotemporal distribution of fish across 12 selected sites in the Kole region. A total of 54 fish species were categorized based on their abundance: 4 species were abundant, 5 near-abundant, 15 common, 25 rare, and 5 very rare (fewer than 10 individuals recorded). Amblypharyngodon melettinus was identified as the most abundant species. The study also observed a significant increase in fish numbers during the post-monsoon period, indicating the seasonal influence on fish distribution. A two-way ANOVA analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in species abundance across the sampling sites. However, there was no significant variation in species abundance across different seasons or in total species numbers across sites. Interestingly, a significant seasonal variation was found in the total number of species. These findings underscore the need for continuous monitoring and conservation of the ichthyofaunal diversity in wetlands. Spatiotemporal studies like this are essential for understanding ecological patterns and for ensuring the protection and sustainable management of wetland ecosystems for future generations.