First data on an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) based on fish assemblages for the assessment of the impact of deforestation in a tropical West African river system

In Africa, Kamdem Toham & Teugels (1999) found fewer individuals per sample in deforested streams.

“In Africa, Kamdem Toham & Teugels (1999) found fewer individuals per sample in deforested streams”

Research on fish community structure, species richness and density in temperate and tropical regions shows equivocal results on the effects of deforestation.

“Research on fish community structure, species richness and density in temperate and tropical regions shows equivocal results on the effects of deforestation.”

Few studies have addressed directly the impact of deforestation on fish faunas.

“but few have addressed directly the impact of deforestation on fish faunas (e.g.Burcham, 1988;Lyons et al., 1995;Kamdem Toham & Teugels, 1999).”

The opposite conclusion (higher species richness in forest streams) was reached for Mexican and African streams.

“The opposite conclusion was reached for Mexican (Lyons et al., 1995) and African streams (Kamdem Toham & Teugels, 1999).”

Kamdem Toham & Teugel (1999) found a negative relationship between fish density and deforestation in an area affected by intensive deforestation and heavy siltation.

“For example, Kamdem Toham & Teugel (1999) found a negative relationship between fish density and deforestation in an area affected by intensive deforestation and heavy siltation”

Kamdem Toham & Teugel (1999) found a negative impact of deforestation on fish density in African streams.

“and a similar negative impact of deforestation on fish density was shown for African streams by Kamdem Toham & Teugel (1999).”

Species richness follows the same pattern as biomass and density when deforestation leads to heavy degradation of habitats.

“We propose that species richness follows the same pattern as biomass and density when deforestation leads to heavy degradation of habitats, as found by Kamdem Toham & Teugels (1999).”