Geo-Spatial Tools for Science-Based Management of Inland Aquatic Habitats and Conservation of Fish Genetic Resources

Abstract

Inland fi sheries resources are vital for the human community and contribute to the development of a particular
region. However, inland water bodies are highly dynamic, surrounded by terrestrial ecosystems, and face multiple
threats from various anthropogenic stressors. Hence, the conservation and management of aquatic resources are
becoming formidable which require the use of geo-spatial technologies for evidence-based scientifi c management
of their habitats and fi sh genetic resources. The applications of geo-spatial tools are well acknowledged in
data-scarce regions and in the fi eld of natural resource management where the decision can be made based on
the outputs arising from limited scientifi c assumptions. The remote sensing (RS) and Geographical Information
System (GIS) based habitat characterization of inland water bodies,