BIOTIC INTEGRITY INDEX USING FRESHWATER FISHES IN TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL REGIONS

Abstract

The Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) using freshwater fish assemblages is an effective biomonitoring tool that is widely used in temperate countries. Despite the fact that the IBI is being adjusted to be applied to studies in tropical and subtropical countries for almost 15 years, it still is rarely used with these regions. The present review visits 15 publications of IBI adaptations for tropical regions. Most studies were performed in subtropical regions and mainly on streams, while some were done in large rivers, and one in lakes. There is evident need for a clear definition of the reference condition and for standardized and non-selective methodologies (e.g., electrofishing), even in large river systems. Metrics were created or adapted using families or functional groups that proved sensitive in the studied regions. However, the metrics must be selected through rigorous statistical methods. Although IBI fi sh models were shown to be effective in detecting environmental changes in all studies analyzed, it is evident that the applicability and effectiveness of these models in tropical and subtropical countries (chiefly developing countries with high diversity and ecological complexity) depend on filling in the informationgaps in diversity and ecological processes. We highlight the importance of government taking part in the coordination of biomonitoring programs within these regions, noting that all the initiatives developed up to now were carried out by research groups.