Reduced dry season fish biomass and depleted carnivorous fish assemblages in unprotected tropical oxbow lakes

The effectiveness of protected areas in maintaining biodiversity is increasingly under debate. Specifically, the responses animal populations freshwater ecosystems to disturbances outside are not well understood. Fish assemblages can serve as an indicator such responses. We used dry season oxbow lake fish occurrence data implemented within a Measurement Biodiversity framework examine influence extractive activities on richness, structure and abundance assemblages. compared lakes with subject artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) other human activities. main components maintained by protection were biomass. strongest predictors community fishing intensity water transparency. As variation these factors likely consequence ASGM, our results may indicate indirect impacts ASGM ecosystems. Our analysis trophic guilds also suggested that carnivores dominated lakes, whereas disturbed detritivores more frequent, suggesting downgrading ASGM. Taken together, activity associated In western Amazon, isolated appear be successful at integrity Given vulnerability habitats their high value for ecosystem services, we recommend local engagement resource allocation prevent degradation depletion aquatic unprotected areas.