Article
Environmental Sciences
Alejandro Baladron, Maria Joao Costa, Maria Dolores Bejarano, Antonio Pinheiro, Isabel Boavida
Summary: The study demonstrates the capacity of vegetation to provide shelter for fish species under hydropeaking regimes, with Luciobarbus bocagei showing a stronger preference for vegetated patches. This highlights the potential importance of considering vegetation-based actions for restoring rivers impacted by hydropeaking.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mauricio Quiroz-Jara, Silvia Casini, Maria Cristina Fossi, Rodrigo Orrego, Juan F. Gavilan, Ricardo Barra
Summary: The study evaluated the physiological state of wild fish in the Biobio River in Chile, noting a deteriorating condition in biological parameters in high anthropic areas. The fish showed increased physiological indices and liver activity, as well as histopathological lesions towards the lower stretches of the river. The Integrated Index of Physiological Biomarkers (IPBR) highlighted that highly impacted areas had the most detrimental environmental quality, indicating a relationship between anthropic activity and observed alterations downstream.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Daniel Barton, Felipe Breton, Petr Blabolil, Allan T. Souza, Lukas Vejrik, Zuzana Sajdlova, Tomas Kolarik, Jan Kubecka, Marek Smejkal
Summary: This study investigated the impact of hydropeaking on the spawning ground of rheophilic fish, the asp. It was found that sudden increases in water velocity caused by hydropeaking events can negatively affect the adhesive eggs of the fish, potentially leading to their disappearance. Recommendations were made to avoid hydropeaking or keep water velocity below critical values to manage spawning grounds for rheophilous fish.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anton J. Burman, Richard D. Hedger, J. Gunnar Hellstrom, Anders G. Andersson, Line E. Sundt-Hansen
Summary: The study found that increasing hydropeaking frequency reduces potential spawning area but also decreases dewatering at low flows, while longer spill gate closing times decrease the propensity to stranding. Effects vary by species and life stage, decreasing longitudinally downstream from the spillway outlet.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Fabricio de A. Frehse, Olaf L. F. Weyl, Jean R. S. Vitule
Summary: The study found that pipes and rocks artificial habitats in Neotropical reservoirs are beneficial for increasing fish abundance and diversity. Cichlidae species dominate in pipes, rocks, and control habitats. It is crucial to consider the relationship between different fish species and artificial habitats to prevent invasive species from benefiting from the deployment of artificial structures.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mahboobeh Hajiesmaeili, Louis Addo, Johan Watz, Steven F. Railsback, John J. Piccolo
Summary: In this study, an individual-based model (IBM) was developed to investigate the impact of hydropeaking on the growth, survival, and distribution of native brown trout and Atlantic salmon juveniles in river Gullspang, Sweden. The results show that hydropeaking generally has modest negative effects on the growth and survival of both species.
RIVER RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nico Baetz, Clarisse Judes, Christine Weber
Summary: Altering river flow through intermittent hydropower production has negative effects on biodiversity and ecosystems globally. However, our understanding of how the frequency of repeated hydropower peaks affects ecological processes is limited. This study uses a time-series approach to quantify the changed dynamics of aquatic habitats at the patch-scale due to hydropower peaking and reviews the impact of these dynamics on ecological processes.
RIVER RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yuki Matsuzawa, Shinji Fukuda, Mitsuru Ohira, Bernard De Baets
Summary: Stopping biodiversity loss due to human activities is a major concern for sustainable development. However, considering species interactions remains challenging in habitat suitability modelling. In this study, a Random Forests multi-class classifier was used to analyze species co-occurrence patterns in a small river in Japan. The results provide important ecological information for understanding species co-occurrence and can be used for conservation prioritization and habitat design.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Woojung Ahn, Taeyong Shim, Zhonghyun Kim, Seo Jin Ki, Kwang-Guk An, Jinho Jung
Summary: The aim of this study was to predict the distribution of smallmouth bass, a potential invasive alien species, in South Korea using a habitat suitability model based on life history. Environmental data from 160 sites across five river basins were collected to conduct present and future predictions. The model considered different spawning scenarios and evaluated the life-history habitat suitability of smallmouth bass. The results suggest that urgent preventive measures are needed as the distribution of smallmouth bass may expand under global warming.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Richard D. Hedger, Line E. Sundt-Hansen, Ana Juarez-Gomez, Knut Alfredsen, Anders Foldvik
Summary: This study used a mechanistic modelling approach to examine the impact of hydropeaking on fish stranding mortality. By modelling the hydropeaking in the River Nidelva, central Norway, it was found that stranding mortality was strongly dependent on the form of the hydropeaking cycle and the fish response. The down-ramping speed had a greater impact on total stranding mortality than the duration of the minimum flow period. Further controlled studies are needed to parameterize models for predicting the effects of hydropeaking on fish.
Article
Fisheries
Johan Watz, Joel Schill, Louis Addo, John J. Piccolo, Mahboobeh Hajiesmaeili
Summary: Climate change causes warming of rivers and may increase discharge, particularly during winter. Fluctuating water temperature and flow downstream of hydropower plants create dynamic overwintering conditions for juvenile salmonids. The effects of increased temperature and discharge on the growth and mortality of Atlantic salmon and brown trout in a river with a hydropeaking flow regime were simulated, with water temperature having a major positive relationship with growth and increased flow alone having no significant effect on overwinter growth.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Corbin D. Hilling, Jason L. Fischer, Jason Ross, Taaja R. Tucker, Robin L. DeBruyne, Christine M. Mayer, Edward F. Roseman
Summary: The reduction of riparian habitats in shallow water zones of large rivers has negatively impacted fish populations and their habitats. Different habitat attributes have varying impacts on fish species richness and catches, highlighting the importance of managing habitat variables for conservation and restoration efforts.
Review
Ecology
Kenneth G. Larrieu, Gregory B. Pasternack, Sebastian Schwindt
Summary: The issue of riverine fish stranding poses a significant concern for fish populations, and accurately parameterizing stranding risks is challenging due to various biotic and abiotic factors. A novel algorithm utilizing graph theory to find optimal fish escape routes has been introduced for evaluating and visualizing fish stranding risks in rivers.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nikola Pfauserova, Ondrej Slavik, Pavel Horky, Jan Turek, Tomas Randak
Summary: The study found that non-native species in the reservoir spread massively to the upstream main tributary, the Vltava River, in spring and returned to the reservoir for wintering. Meanwhile, native Salmo trutta showed a specific shift from the Vltava River to smaller streams during summer.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Quan Quan, Shaoze Gao, Yanwu Shang, Boxing Wang
Summary: This study investigated the impact of climate change and hydropower generation on the survival of indigenous fish in the source region of the Yellow River and proposed appropriate solutions. The results indicated that global warming is expected to reduce the negative effects caused by hydropower generation and increase the inhabitable area for fish.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Evelyn Habit, Alex Garcia, Gustavo Diaz, Pedro Arriagada, Oscar Link, Oscar Parra, Martin Thoms
RIVER RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS
(2019)
Article
Biology
Ivan Vera-Escalona, Evelyn Habit, Daniel E. Ruzzante
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pablo Fierro, Claudio Valdovinos, Ivan Arismendi, Gustavo Diaz, Alfonso Jara-Flores, Evelyn Habit, Luis Vargas-Chacoff
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2019)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Pablo Rojas, Irma Vila, Evelyn Habit, Sergio A. Castro
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Patricio Fuentes-Aguilera, Diego Caamano, Hernan Alcayaga, Andrew Tranmer
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Victor Enrique Cussac, Maria Eugenia Barrantes, Claudia Clementina Boy, Konrad Gorski, Evelyn Habit, Maria Eugenia Lattuca, Javier Hernan Rojo
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Ivan Vera-Escalona, M. Lisette Delgado, Evelyn Habit, Daniel E. Ruzzante
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Camila Banales-Seguel, Wladimir Riquelme Maulen, Amaya Alvez, Evelyn Habit
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicole Colin, Evelyn Habit, Aliro Manosalva, Alberto Maceda-Veiga, Konrad Gorski
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of human-induced stressors on fish assemblages in two central-southern Chilean rivers and found a strong association between taxonomic and functional facets of the fish community. The results showed that the Valdivia River was predominantly influenced by natural processes, while the Biobio River was significantly affected by pollution zones. The implementation of stricter environmental policies and integrated river basin management is crucial for conserving these species-poor fish assemblages.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fabian Pacheco, Octavio Rojas, Esteban Hernandez, Diego Caamano
Summary: The installation of hydroelectric plants has had multiple environmental impacts on river systems worldwide. This study examines the changes in channel morphology, vegetation distribution, and flows in the middle section of the Maule River in central Chile following the start-up of a hydroelectric plant. The results show a decrease in the active areas of the river, an increase in plant-covered surface area, and changes in flow magnitudes, particularly during the period of a megadrought.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Diego Bello, Hernan Alcayaga, Diego Caamano, Alonso Pizarro
Summary: Although rare, dam breach occurrences can cause significant damage to life and property. This study evaluates the influence of statistical configuration on predicting the maximum discharge resulting from dam breaches. The analysis shows that certain breach parameters have a major impact on the rupture's maximum discharge and there can be significant variations in the estimated flood risk based on the statistical definition of these parameters.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrew W. Tranmer, Diego Caaman, Annabella E. Arteaga
Summary: Topographic variation within fluvial systems is important for supporting dynamic processes and providing physical habitats. However, anthropogenic activities in both urban and rural areas have diminished the physical heterogeneity of alluvial channels. This study finds that topographic variation is lower in urban areas compared to rural areas along the Boise River. Both urban and rural reaches show similar magnitudes of topographic variation, suggesting a dominant control factor unrelated to urban land use. The analysis indicates that the morphologic simplification in the channel is caused by lateral constraints from levees. Topographic variation increases with normalized levee widths, and is maximized in reaches where flow expansion during high discharge inundates a considerable portion of the floodplain. This watershed-scale approach using high-resolution topography data helps identify areas of high physical heterogeneity for river conservation and guide environmental flow releases.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Evelyn Habit, Alejandra Zurita, Gustavo Diaz, Aliro Manosalva, Pedro Arriagada, Oscar Link, Konrad Gorski
Summary: Accurate knowledge of the physical structures of different river sections is crucial for the conservation and management of riverine ecosystems. This study assessed the riverine landscapes of eleven Andean river basins in Chile, revealing distinct Functional Process Zones that showed clear spatial patterns based on the latitudinal and proportional differences of each river basin within the large morphostructural units of Chile.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gustavo Diaz, Konrad Gorski, Aliro Manosalva, Barbara Toledo, Evelyn Habit
Summary: Longitudinal connectivity is crucial for maintaining river ecosystems and aquatic biota, but its loss can lead to declines in fish abundance and local extinctions, resulting in changes in local assemblage structure and higher dissimilarity among local assemblages. This study in Chile assessed the effects of fragmentation and local environmental variables on fish diversity patterns, revealing that fragmented basins had lower species richness and alpha diversity in pool habitats due to the absence of fish species with high dispersion capacities. The findings emphasize the importance of considering barrier cascades and biodiversity indicators at both local and basin scales in sustainable hydropower development.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gustavo Diaz, Pedro Arriagada, Konrad Gorski, Oscar Link, Bruno Karelovic, Jorge Gonzalez, Evelyn Habit
REVISTA CHILENA DE HISTORIA NATURAL
(2019)