Water Quality and Diversity of Macroinvertebrate and Fish in Different Peat Ecosystems in Betong, Sarawak, Malaysia

Ella, Michael Dosi (2017) Water Quality and Diversity of Macroinvertebrate and Fish in Different Peat Ecosystems in Betong, Sarawak, Malaysia. Masters thesis, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.

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Abstract

This study aimed to determine the water quality and biodiversity of macroinvertebrate and fish in peat ecosystems related to different types of disturbance in Betong, Sarawak, Malaysia. Samplings were conducted from October 2011 to August 2013 at undisturbed peat swamp forest (Maludam National Park, MLM), disturbed peat swamp forest (Tanjung Baru Forest, TGB) and oil palm plantation on peatland (Durafarm Oil Palm Plantation, DMF). Water quality parameters (except NO2 - -N) were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05) among the MLM, TGB and DFM. MLM and TGB were characterised by having higher TKN, NH3-N and COD. MLM was mainly influenced by the nutrient input from the decomposition of organic matter whereas TGB was mainly influenced by the occurrence of tidal event from the downstream of Sungai Maludam. Meanwhile, DFM was characterised by having higher water temperature, turbidity, TSS, conductivity, chlorophyll-a, PO4 3- , TP, pH and BOD5, indicating the effect of agricultural activities from oil palm plantation. Macroinvertebrate are more diverse in DFM with 40 species from 20 families and 7 orders. Meanwhile, MLM and TGB recorded the same composition, each comprised of 33 species from 18 families and 8 orders. Higher species of macroinvertebrates in DFM might be attributed to the lower canopy cover as compared to MLM and TGB. Fish composition varied across peat ecosystems whereby species were diverse in MLM (24 species from 10 families), followed by TGB (19 species from 10 families) and DFM (16 species from 8 families). Hardy species, Anabas testudineus dominates the DFM whereas Trigonopoma pauciperforatum dominates the MLM and TGB, suggesting that there could be species replacement during the conversion process of peat swamp forest into oil palm v plantation. The findings of this study indicate that the oil palm plantations on peatland are affecting water quality and its aquatic fauna.

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