Final Project Report (To Be Submitted by 30Th September 2016)

Final Project Report (to be submitted by 30th September 2016)

Instructions:

• Document length: maximum 10 pages, excluding this cover page and the last page on project tags.

• Start with an abstract (max 1 page).

• Final report text: Do not forget to mention your methodology; the people involved (who, how many, what organization they are from – if applicable); and the expected added value for biodiversity, society and the company. Finally, state whether the results of your project can be implemented at a later stage, and please mention the ideal timing and estimated costs of implementation.

• Annexes are allowed but will not be taken into account by the jury and must be sent separately.

• Word/PDF Final Report files must be less than 10 MB.

• If you choose to submit your final report in your local language, you are required to also upload your final report in English if you wish to take part in the international competition.

• To be validated, your file must be uploaded to the Quarry Life Award website0 before 3 th September 2016 (midnight, Central European Time). To do so, please log in, click on ‘My account’/ ‘My Final report’.

• In case of questions, please liaise with your national coordinator.

1. Contestant profile

° Contestant name: Kimbembi ma Ibaka Alexis

° Contestant occupation: Researcher Teacher

° University / Organisation Institut Supérieur Pédagogique de Mbanza-Ngungu

° E-mail:

° Phone (incl. country code):

° Number of people in your Five (5) team:

2. Project overview Title: Ichtyological Biodiversity and condition factor of fish species of Lukala quarry in Kongo Central in R.D.Congo Contest: 3 rd Edition (2016) Quarry name: Lukala quarry (Cilu) Prize category: ☒ Education and Raising Awareness (select all appropriate) ☒ Habitat and Species Research ☒ Biodiversity Management ☐ Student Project ☐ Beyond Quarry Borders

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Abstract (max 1 page)

Text in arial 10

Ichtyological Biodiversity and factor condition of fish species of the Lukala quarry in the Kongo Central province ( D.R.Congo)

The ichtyofauna of Lukala quarry has never been the object of any research. An ichtyological inventory and a study of their factor condition have been started since October 2015 to July 2016.

217 specimens of fishes have been grouped into 4 families, 9 genus and 12 species. Micralestes holargyreus was the most representative specie.

Overall, the individual values of condition (K) improve the rainy season and fall in the dry season.

The average factor condition of Oreochromis niloticus collected in two quarries:

- [ (C-45) Operational Quarry and; - (Lusivika pond)] Exhausted Quarry],

has been superior to those of other fish species captured in the Lukala river.

The average factor condition compared according to the seasons among Thoracochromis bakongo revealed a significant difference (tcal. 2,89 ; ttab. 2,30). Among Barbus sp. (tcal. 1,20 ; ttab. 2,10) and Barbus miolepis (tcal. 0,85 ; ttab. 2), the difference was not significant. The average factor condition calculated according to the stations for Micralestes holargyreus does not show any significant difference (tcal. 0,004 ; ttab. 2). The specificity of in quarry is the presence of Barbus sp. which has never been signaled in the rivers Kongo Central and of the D.R.Congo.

Final report (max 9 pages)

Introduction

There are considerable researches on the systematics and ecology of the ichtyofauna in Africa in general and the Democratic Republic of Congo in particular. Poll (1957) studied the species of fish of water in Africa. Poll and Gosse (1963) contributed to a systematics of ichtyofauna in the Kongo Central province, and quite recently Wamuini (2010) study reported data on the fish in the river Inkisi. But there is a scarcity of research carried out on the biodiversity of quarries in general and on the ichtyofauna biodiversity.

If in Africa the condition factor of Alestes baremoze of Bas Chari and lake Chad has been investigated by Durand and Loubens (1970), in the D.R.Congo these types of studies are scarce. Nevertheless, Kimbembi (2007) embarked on the study of condition of Caecobarbus geertsii (blind fish or eyeless fish) in the caves of Mbanza-Ngungu.

With the opportunity of Quarry Life Award competition, 3 rd edition (2016) on the biodiversity preservation in the exploitation or exhausted quarries, we embarked on a study of ichtyofauna biodiversity and the factor condition of the species of fish in the aquatic ecosystem of the cement factory of Lukala.

01. Objective

The purpose of this study is twofold. First, it is an inventory of the species in the river Lukala and in both the exploited or exhausted quarries turned into ponds. Second, this research aims to study of the factor condition of the most representative species of this complex ecosystem.

Our hypothesis is that exhausted quarries are likely to affer a favourable biotope to the development of aquatic biodiversity where the dynamics of their populations can be followed up.

1. Historical review and other useful information (site description, prior actions of the project)

The Lukala quarry is in the D.R.Congo, Kongo Central province at 350 m altitude, 14° 29’35’’ East longitude and 5°31’27’’ South latitude. There is an intense activity of limestone and clay exploitation for the cement industry. 25 ha out of the 62 ha available are under exploitation. With a rhythm of exploitation of about 1 000 000 t/year, the limestone reserves (quarry C- 45) can be exploited in the coming six decades.

Although this important socio-economic activity has an impact on the degradation of the biodiversity, it however created ecosystems, ideal habitats, which constitute an opportunity to follow the evolution biodiversity. And about what concerns us, we limited our research in the immediate vicinity of the industrial ecosystem, that within a radius of 3 km.

1.1. Description and choice of stations of captures

The Lukala quarry is characterized by 2 types of aquatic ecosystems (Annex 1):

- the river Lukala and,

- the quarries in exploitation and exhausted, transformed into ponds.

The climate is humid and tropical with 2 seasons: the rainy season which goes from October to April, interrupted by a brief dry season (December-February) and the dry season (from May to September).

The Lukala river, has a South-North orientation. Its natural aquatic ecosystem is subdivided in 3 stations. The subdivision criterion was the ecological man-made barriers made in this river way.

- Upstream of the river bed built with concrete (station 1). This part is located in the South of the C-45 quarry; - The part along the plant and limited by a small dam where water is retained for use in cooling machines upper (station 2). At this level, the river receives polluted water from the plant via a canal which is connected to an already drained quarry now, transformed into a pond; - The downstream of this dam is station 3.

The bottom of the river is constituted of limestone and many vegetal remaining. Its depth varies according to season (from 8 to 200 cm) ; pH : 8,69 ; temperature : 26° C ; salinity : 0,96 ppm; conductivity : 84,60 µcm. The characteristic vegetation is constituted by Cyperaceae.

The ecosystem created by man following the exploitation of limestone can be subdivided into 2 stations:

- Station 4, which is the exhausted quarry (Lusivika pond), (altitude 359 m ; 14°31’52,9’’ East longitude and 5°30’19,6’’ South latitude). Due to its depth, its exploitation requires appropriate equipment in order to successfully highlight its specificities in ichtyofauna. - Station 5 has also been compartmentalized into 2 sub stations: o The sub-station 5.1, exhausted quarry, has a pumping system supplies not only the cement plant and the residential area with water, but also pours water in the normal bed of the river Lukala. o Station 5.2, quarry in exploitation, is often flooded by waters from the river Lukala. This last ecosystem colonized by Oreochromis niloticus requires further investigation.

2. Material and methods

The biological material consists of 217 specimens of fish caught from October 2015 until July 2016. The samples of specimens studied were collected using nets with small mesh (from 10 to 20 mm node to node). Samplings were done the same day or the day after.

Fresh fishes harvested and summarily identified, were weighed [weight (P or W) g close] using Pesola’s Light line 10020; max 20 g mark Switzerland or digital scales Kern EMB brand, 1200-1, max 1200 g; and measured [total length (T.L.) to the mm] with the caliper brand Mitutoyo 505-681. After weighing and measurements the specimens were kept in formalin (10%) containing plastic bags for their identification I.S.P's biology lab. / Mbanza-Ngungu DR Congo. Identification of genus and species of fish has been possible thanks to the works of: Poll (1957), Thys (1964) Teugels (1986) and Melanie et al. (2007).

The GPS map 74,914,222 60 CSX Garmin, can 210 has allowed us to take some geographic locations of stations.

The individual values of condition factor (K) were calculated according to the formula K = W/L 3.10 5 (Lecren, 1951), Where - K: condition factor; - W: weight in g - L: Total length in mm. 4

The examination of the factor (K) is used to: - Compare monospecific populations in apparently similar or different conditions (density, climate and food); - Determine the timing and duration of gonadal maturation in populations; - Follow the deterioration of environmental conditions (Micha, 1976).

The Student t test allowed us to test the results of condition factor of fish species studied according the seasons and stations

3. Results

3.1 Overview of the ichtyofauna of the Lukala Quarry

From October 2015 to July 2016, 217 specimens were fished in the Cilu Quarry. There were grouped in 4 families, 9 genus and 12 species (table 1).

Table 1 : Presence of species of fish according to months

Year 2015 2016 Month Octob April May June July er Genus and species Alestidae Bryconaethiops microstoma x x Günther, 1873 Micralestes holargyreus x x x x (Günther,1873) Cichlidae Thoracochromis bakongo (Thys x x x Van Den Audenaerde, 1964) Hemichromis elongatus x x x (Guichenot, 1861) Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, x 1758) Clariidae Clarias buthupogon Sauvage,1879 x Clarias camerunensis Lönnberg, x 1895 Cyprinidae Barbus holotaenia Boulenger, 1904 x x Barbus miolepis Boulenger,1902 x x x Barbus sp x x Garra ornata (Nichols et Griscom, x x 1917) Raiamas christyi (Boulenger, 1920) x x x

From Table 1 with a C value greater than 50 %, 5 species ( Micralestes holargyreus , Thoracochromis bakongo , Hemichromis elongatus , Barbus miolepis and Raiamas christyi ) are constant in Lukala

River. And that the Cyprinidae are the most representative family with 5 species out of a total of 12 species.

The specificity of this quarry is the presence of Barbus sp (Fig.1) which has not been reported in all the rivers of the Kongo Central already inventoried. Some specimens of this species were sent to the Royal Tervuren Museum in Belgium for identification.

Fig 1: Barbus sp

The Oreochromis niloticus was introduced in the exhausted quarries. It was fished from the others exhausted quarries but not in the Lukala river.

The average values of K are included in table 2.

Table 2: Average K of species of fish in the Lukala Quarry (2015-2016)

Species Limits of Number and mean seasonally t Student

W (g) T.L (mm) 2015 2016 Cal. Tab.

_ _

July Oct. Max Max May Min- Min- April k June k n : n :

Bryconaethiop 7,2-25,5 82-117 1 3 1,4 s microstoma Thoracochromi 3,1-14 57-92 2 3,2 8 1,7 2,89 2,30 s bakongo . Hemichromis 8,3- 80-185,5 3 1,7 elongatus 134,1 Oreochromis 6,8-11,8 54,4-65,7 8 4 niloticus Clarias 66,9 192 1 buthupogon Clarias 70 200,2 1 camerunensis Barbus 5,5-25 70,1-150 3 2 4 1,5 holotaenia Barbus 3,8-20,5 67-120 35 2,7 20 1,3 0,85 2 miolepis

Barbus sp. 4,4-14,8 75-92 13 2,3 7 1,2 1,20 2,10 Garra ornata 7-16,1 83-110 14 1,2 Raiamas 5,6-13,8 81-101 1 9 0,9 christyi average k according stations Station 2 Station 3 n : n : Micralestes 2,5-9,2 62-91 40 1,2 44 1,2 0,004 1,9 holargyreus

From Table 2 the Oreochromis niloticus subservient in exhausted quarries has a higher condition factor (K = average 4) relative to all other species caught in Lukala river.

Depending on the season and stations no significant difference were found respectively in Barbus miolepis , Barbus sp and in Micralestes holargyreus . The significant difference of the seasons in condition factor was observed in Thoracochromis bakongo .

The relative frequencies of the species caught are given in Fig. 2.

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Fig. 2 Relative frequency of species of fish caught in the Lukala Quarry.

During our fishing period Micralestes holargyreus (Fig. 3) was more abundant, or (39 %) of our crops .

Fig. 3: Micralestes holargyreus 7

4. Discussion

Our discussion is not only on the ichtyofauna inventory but also on the factor condition of some species of fish collected in the Lukala quarry.

According to the ichtyofauna biodiversity, the Cilu quarry was characterized by the presence of Barbus sp., species of fish reported anywhere else in the inventories of the ichtyofauna carried out in the D.R.Congo (Wamuini, 2016, personal comment).

About the study of the K factor, the data found of constitutes preliminary results in this field and in the quarry of the Kongo Central province. So, in the absence of similar studies, and although the values observed do not correspond to those of species studied, their affinities with other genus, however can allow us the comparison according to seasons and habitats.

Depending on the season, at 5% probability, no significant difference factor K was observed in Barbus holotaenia (tcal 0,85; ttab. 2) and in Barbus sp. (tcal.1,20; ttab: 2.10). Moreover, in Thoracochromis bakongo sp. a significant difference in the factor K was observed (tcal.2,89; ttab.2,30).

Depending on stations no significant difference of the factor K (tcal 0.004; ttab.1,9) was observed in Micralestes holargyreus . Similar observations were made in Alestes baremoze Lower Chari and Lake Chad where Durand and Loubens (1970) did not observe a difference in the K factor depending on the seasonal cycle.

While in Caecobarbus geertsii , Cyprinidae (blind fish) of Mbanza-Ngungu’s caves, Kimbembi and Boki (2006) found that the K factor of caves fish located in less damaged areas was great compared to specimens observed in caves located in more damaged areas.

K factor for future studies based on the size and sex can help us to start the study of the dynamics of fish fauna of the Lukala Quarry (Cilu).

5. Conclusion

Fishing was done in the Lukala quarry from October 2015 to July 2016. 12 species of fishes were captured. The scientific merit award of this action comes from the presence of the Barbus sp., Cyprinidae not yet signaled in the ichtyofauna of the D.R.Congo.

The average value of K = 4 for the Oreochromis niloticus , species introduced in exhausted quarries and in operational quarry has a K higher than all others species of the river Lukala near Cilu Quarry . This confirms our hypothesis according to which C- 45 (quarry in exploitation) and Lusivika (pond, exhausted quarry) constitute ecosystems where the dynamics of fish fauna populations can be followed up.

For a development of one of these exhausted quarries (Station 4 Lusivika pond), other fish species could be introduced to provide animal protein to stakeholders .

Among the species studied Thoracochromis bakongo ( Cichlidae ) showed a significant difference in K factor depending on the season.

The C - 45 quarry in Lukala deserves continued monitoring of its aquatic biodiversity. In fact: shellfish as Bullinus contortus ; Crustaceans like the Potamonaute biballensis and bird of the family Anatidae, Dendrocygna sp were observed ( Annex 2). The presence of Bullinus contortus in the quarrying involves maintaining hygiene and sanitation by agents working there to avoid urinary schistosomiasis. And research on predator fish of these snails would be essential. 8

Ultimately, if our project is expected to run at a final stage, that is to say, until March 2017, to complete a year of research in the field, we still had eight months of land for an estimated cost of US $ 4,250 (rental equipment, travel and accommodation). We could then carry on with our fishing and confirm the identification of Barbus sp. which is the specificity of the Lukala quarry .

6. Bibliographical References

Boet P., 1982. Eléments d’écologie du poisson-chat , Ictalurus melas (Fafinesque, 1920) du lac de Crésil. Structure et dynamique de la population, exploitation des ressources alimentaires , Thèse de doctorat., Université Paris VI, 123 p.

Durand J.R. et Loubens G., 1970. Variations du coefficient de condition chez Alestes baremoze (Pisc.Characi.) du Bas Chari et du Lac Tchad, Cah. O.R.S.T.O.M, sér.Hydrobiol. vol. IV, n° 1 , pp. 27- 44.

Kimbembi ma Ibaka A. et Boki F., 2006. Données préliminaires sur le coefficient de condition du Caecobarbus geertsii des grottes de la contrée de Mbanza-Ngungu, cas de la grotte de Nzonzi, Scientia, , vol. VIII (2006)2 , I.S.P./Mbanza-Ngungu, pp. 37- 46.

Kimbembi ma Ibaka A., 2007 . Approche systémique de la conservation des grottes de Mbanza- Ngungu, contribution à l’étude de la biodiversité cavernicole et proposition de création d’une aire protégée, Thèse de doctorat, inédite, ERAIFT, Université de Kinshasa, 313 p.

Lecren E.D., 1951. The length-weight relationship and seasonal cycle in gonad weight and condition in the Perch ( Perca fluviatilis ) , J. Anim. Ecol ., 20, 201- 219.

Melanie L., Teugels G.G. et Hopkins C.D., 2007. Poissons d’eaux douces et saumâtres de l’Afrique Centrale, du MRAC, 800 p.

Micha J.C., 1976. Potentialités de la faune piscicole de l’Ubangi pour la pisciculture, Rev. trav. Inst. Pêche marit . Paris, 40 (3-4): 675-676.

Poll M., 1957. Les genres des poisons d’eau douce d’Afrique , Annales Mus. Roy.Congo belge, sér. 8 (Zool.), Tervuren, 54: 191 p.

Teugels G.G., 1986. Systematic revision of the African species of the genus Clarias (Pisces, Clariidae) Ann. Sciences zoologiques, Mus. Roy. De l’Afrique Centrale, vol. 247, Tervuren, 199 p.

Thys Van Den Audenaerde D.F.E., 1964. Révision systématique des espèces congolaises du genre Tilapia (Pisces,Cichlidae), Annales,Mus.Roy.Afr.Centr ., Tervuren, 155 p.

Wamuini S., 2010. Ichtyofaune de l’Inkisi: Diversité et écologie , Thèse de Doctorat, Université de Liège, Liège, 357p.

To be kept and filled in at the end of your report

Project tags (select all appropriate): This will be use to classify your project in the project archive (that is also available online)

Project focus: Habitat: ☒Biodiversity management ☐Cave ☐Cooperation programmes ☐Cliffs ☒Education and Raising awareness ☐Fields - crops/culture ☒Endangered and protected species ☐Forest ☐Invasive species ☐Grassland ☐Landscape management - rehabilitation ☐Human settlement ☐Rehabilitation ☐Open areas of rocky grounds ☐Scientific research ☐Recreational areas ☐Soil management ☐Screes ☐Urban ecology ☐Shrubs & groves ☐Water management ☐Soil ☐Wander biotopes Flora: ☒Water bodies (flowing, standing) ☐Conifers and cycads ☐Wetland ☐Ferns ☐Flowering plants Stakeholders: ☐Fungi ☐Authorities ☐Mosses and liverworts ☐Local community ☐NGOs Fauna: ☐Schools ☐Amphibians ☒Universities ☐Birds ☐Dragonflies & Butterflies ☒Fish ☐Mammals ☐Reptiles ☐Spiders ☐Other insects ☐Other species