1. Few conservation studies have examined fish communities in entire drainage basins, especially in developing regions such as Southeast Asia, one of the most diverse biomes globally. The aim of this study was to establish conservation projections for the whole of the Irrawaddy River system, based on fish diversity patterns, human impact, and environmental change.
2. The Irrawaddy River is one of the five largest rivers in Southeast Asia. Although it has very high diversity of fish species and species endemism, our understanding of resident fish status remains poor.
3. Based on 1,726 field survey and 1,056 database records, 470 fish species and their distribution patterns (i.e. alpha, beta, threatened species, and endemic species diversities) in sub-basins of the Irrawaddy drainage were identified. Canonical correspondence analysis of diversity and environmental patterns indicated that climatic factors had the largest effect on diversity, compatible with the species–energy theory.
4. Fish conservation priorities of sub-basins were evaluated based on diversity patterns and human impact. The delta and Manipur basin regions were highlighted as areas of focus for future fish diversity conservation, and the importance of connectivity in the Irrawaddy main stem was demonstrated.
5. The results of this study will be valuable for future management of the Irrawaddy basin and as a reference for other river basins when implementing protection strategies for fish diversity. This study also advocates the need for systematic investigations across entire drainage basins and further detailed studies on the ecological conditions of poorly studied river systems.

中文翻译：

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伊洛瓦底江的鱼类：多样性和保护

1. 很少有保护研究对整个流域中的鱼类群落进行过研究，尤其是在东南亚等发展中地区，东南亚是全球最多样化的生物群落之一。本研究的目的是根据鱼类多样性模式、人类影响和环境变化，为整个伊洛瓦底江系统建立保护预测。
2. 伊洛瓦底江是东南亚五大河流之一。尽管它具有非常高的鱼类物种多样性和物种特有性，但我们对常住鱼类状况的了解仍然很差。
3. 根据 1,726 项实地调查和 1,056 条数据库记录，确定了伊洛瓦底江流域子流域中的 470 种鱼类及其分布模式（即阿尔法、贝塔、受威胁物种和特有物种多样性）。多样性和环境模式的典型对应分析表明，气候因素对多样性的影响最大，与物种-能量理论相符。
4. 根据多样性模式和人类影响评估了子流域的鱼类保护优先事项。三角洲和曼尼普尔盆地地区被强调为未来鱼类多样性保护的重点区域，并证明了伊洛瓦底江主干连通性的重要性。
5. 这项研究的结果对于伊洛瓦底江流域的未来管理以及在实施鱼类多样性保护策略时作为其他河流流域的参考具有重要意义。本研究还主张需要对整个流域进行系统调查，并进一步详细研究研究不足的河流系统的生态条件。