Ichthyodiversity, Conservation Challenges, and Economic Importance of Fish Fauna in a Temperate Montane River Ecosystem

Abstract

This study assesses the ichthyodiversity, distribution, and conservation status of economically important fish species in the Swat River, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, with a focus on the impacts of environmental fluctuations and anthropogenic stressors. Weekly sampling was conducted from October to December 2023 using hand nets (mesh size: 0.5–1.0 cm). Specimens were preserved in 10% formalin for identification and 95% ethanol for morphological analysis. Taxonomic identification was performed using standard keys, complemented by detailed morphometric measurements. Four species were documented: Cyprinus carpio, Orienus plagiostomus, Gara gotyla, and Tor putitora, with descriptions of their morphological traits, local names, ecological significance, and distribution. The study highlights dynamic responses of fish populations to ecological variables (e.g., water levels, food availability) and identifies major threats to ichthyodiversity, including habitat degradation, overfishing, pollution, and flood-induced disruptions (notably the 2010 and 2022 floods, which caused local extinction of Tor putitora). The findings underscore the river’s socioeconomic importance as a fisheries resource and emphasize the urgent need for conservation strategies to mitigate biodiversity loss. This research provides a baseline for future monitoring and sustainable management of freshwater ecosystems in the region.