Assessment of Fish Habitats and Suitable Ecological Flow under Hydropower Operation
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Area and Data Sources
2.2. Methods
2.2.1. Hydrodynamic Model
2.2.2. Habitat Model
2.2.3. Target Fish and the Suitability Curves
2.2.4. Assessment of Fish Habitat and Suitable Ecological Flow
3. Results
3.1. Assessment of Habitat Quantity and Quality
3.1.1. Runoff Pattern
3.1.2. Assessment of Habitat
3.2. Assessment of Suitable Ecological Flow
4. Discussion
4.1. Impacts of Habitat Changes on Fish after Hydropower Operation
4.2. Comprehensive Analysis of the Suitable Ecological Flow and Habitat Assessment Approach
5. Conclusions
- (1)
- In this study, Coreius guichenoti was selected as the target fish. The accuracy of Mike21 meets the required standards, allowing for precise simulations of the hydrodynamic characteristics of Coreius guichenoti habitats under varying flow conditions. A habitat model for Coreius guichenoti was established based on the relevant literature. The optimal depth for the fish ranges 1.2–11.5 m, and the optimal flow velocity ranges 0.3–1.3 m/s during the spawning period.
- (2)
- The spawning phase of Coreius guichenoti was divided into eight phases, and the habitat conditions for the eight phases during different periods were assessed. The results indicate that the average WUA and HCI during the construction period are close to those of the natural period. In comparison to the natural period, the average WUA during the operation period decreased by 9.2%, and the average HCI decreased by 0.05 [38]. However, with an increase in flow, in late June and early July, both the construction and operation periods exhibit higher WUA and HCI compared to the natural period.
- (3)
- Based on the historical flow records from the Xiangjiaba Hydrological Station, a range of 13 flow scenarios was established, spanning from 1000 to 13,000 m3/s with intervals of 1000 m3/s. Utilizing the curves depicting the relationships between WUA, HCI, and flow, it was identified that the simulated habitat conditions are optimal when the flow is between 3000 and 5000 m3/s. Further refining the flow scenarios led to the determination of the suitable ecological flow as 3500 m3/s.
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Yan, S.; Qin, T.; Zhang, X.; Hou, L. Assessment of Fish Habitats and Suitable Ecological Flow under Hydropower Operation. Water 2024, 16, 569. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16040569
Yan S, Qin T, Zhang X, Hou L. Assessment of Fish Habitats and Suitable Ecological Flow under Hydropower Operation. Water. 2024; 16(4):569. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16040569
Chicago/Turabian StyleYan, Sheng, Tianling Qin, Xiangyang Zhang, and Lei Hou. 2024. "Assessment of Fish Habitats and Suitable Ecological Flow under Hydropower Operation" Water 16, no. 4: 569. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16040569
APA StyleYan, S., Qin, T., Zhang, X., & Hou, L. (2024). Assessment of Fish Habitats and Suitable Ecological Flow under Hydropower Operation. Water, 16(4), 569. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16040569