The Ecological Guardianship of the Aquatic Realms of Southern Kerala: A Comprehensive Investigation into How Riparian and Aquatic Plants Shape the Fish Habitat Dynamics

The objective of the current study was to better understand and explore how riparian and aquatic vegetation affect the habitat structuring patterns of ichthyofaunal populations in the aquatic ecosystems of southern Kerala. From January 2019 to June 2021, assessments were carried out monthly to evaluate the structural and ecological complexity of fish habitats affected by the vegetation, along with the diversity of aquatic and riparian flora. A total of 67 species belonging to the categories of ferns, angiosperms, and algae were identified. These species added to the structural complexity of fish habitats in the surveyed aquatic environments by providing cover (large and small woody debris, root cover, overhanging vegetation, aquatic macrophyte patches, and undercut banks), shade, food sources, and bank stability. According to Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), distinct ichthyofaunal families preferred specific habitat attributes supplied by the vegetation cover. The crucial role of riparian buffers and aquatic vegetation in shaping the structural intricacies and ecological preferences of ichthyofaunal populations, emphasises the need for targeted conservation efforts to preserve these vital habitat components.