A sustainable approach for aquatic ecosystem enrichment: Assessing bamboo-based artificial habitats for prawn community enhancement in the Petagas River

Authors

Borneo Marine Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

10.22092/ijfs.2025.134728

Abstract

Artificial habitats, human-made structures designed to mimic natural habitats, have emerged as an integral approach in fisheries management to mitigate habitat degradation in aquatic ecosystems. This study evaluates the effectiveness of bamboo-based artificial habitat in enhancing prawn community abundance as part of the efforts to replenish and restore the prawn community in Petagas River. We assessed species richness, diversity, and distribution of prawn communities in areas with and without bamboo structures. A total of 111 individuals from five species—Macrobrachium mammillodactylus, M. equidens, M. rosenbergii, Caridina gracilipes, and M. idae—from two families were recorded. Phylogenetic analysis of the Cytochrome Oxidase I (COI) gene revealed two distinct clusters representing the genera Macrobrachium and Caridina, with bootstrap support ranging from 39% to 100%. M. mammillodactylus was the most dominant species (35%), followed by M. equidens (22%), M. rosenbergii (20%), C. gracilipes (19%), and M. idae (4%). Sites with bamboo structures exhibited higher prawn abundance and greater species diversity than control sites. The habitat complexity introduced by these structures provided various microhabitats, promoting species resilience and ecological stability. These findings underscore the potential of low-cost, nature-based solutions like bamboo structures to support aquatic biodiversity and prawn stock recovery. This study provides the first genetic and ecological assessment of bamboo artificial habitats in Sabah, offering valuable baseline data for future habitat-based restoration initiatives.

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences
Volume 25, Issue 1
January 2026
Pages 1-21

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