Fish Fauna Status of the Natura 2000 Sites Proposed as New or for Extension in the Rivers Someș and Mureș (Romania)

Abstract

Abstract In autumn 2015 the fish fauna of river watersheds from six sites of community interest (SCI) Natura 2000 were investigated as follows: river Mureș (two SCIs) and Someș River in four SCIs from Someșul Mic, Someșul Mare and Someș. The researches were focused on the fish species of community interest (Annex II of Habitats Directive), its position in the ichthyocoenose (fish species richness, abundance and ecological parameters) and anthropogenic pressure. In investigated SCIs rivers researchers found 27 fish species including 11 species of community interest. IBI index shows moderate to good, or excellent levels of the evaluation integrity degree in fish fauna ecosystems.