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Volume 18
Issue 12
10.3390/w18121454
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Optimizing Ecological Pulse Flows for Spawning Habitats Using a Genetic Algorithm-Enhanced Fuzzy HSI Model: A Case Study of the Downstream West Songhua River Reach of Fengman Dam

by
Qingwei Wang
1,*,
Zhiming Gao
1,
Qiang Yan
2,*,
Tao Dai
2,
Yan Zhang
2,
Yaxin Lu
1 and
Yang Cao
1
1
College of Geosciences and Engineering, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Jinshui East Road No. 136, Zhengzhou 450045, China
2
Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Water 2026, 18(12), 1454; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18121454 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 11 April 2026 / Revised: 7 June 2026 / Accepted: 10 June 2026 / Published: 12 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Section Hydraulics and Hydrodynamics)
Versions Notes

Abstract

The ecological consequences of hydraulic engineering on riverine environments have intensified the need for scientifically grounded ecological flow regimes. To ensure habitat suitability during critical fish spawning periods, this study developed habitat preference curves by correlating physiological parameters with key hydro-environmental drivers. A habitat suitability index (HSI) model was established using fuzzy logic, integrated with a genetic algorithm (GA) to simultaneously optimize fuzzy membership functions and inference rules. This model was applied to simulate the relationship between the weighted usable area (WUA) and discharge for various fish egg types in the reach downstream of the Fengman Dam, ultimately facilitating the determination of an optimized ecological pulse flow hydrograph. The results reveal distinct hydro-environmental preference variations among species. Specifically, drifting eggs require specific hatching cycles supported by higher flow magnitudes and velocities. Conversely, adhesive eggs experience a significant reduction in suitable habitat area under high-flow and high-velocity conditions. These findings suggest that reservoir water resource allocation must be tailored to the life-history requirements of target species to maximize spawning success. This study provides a robust scientific framework for eco-friendly reservoir scheduling and the conservation of regulated river ecosystems.
Keywords: fuzzy mathematics; habitat flow; habitat suitability index (HSI); hydraulic engineering fuzzy mathematics; habitat flow; habitat suitability index (HSI); hydraulic engineering

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MDPI and ACS Style

Wang, Q.; Gao, Z.; Yan, Q.; Dai, T.; Zhang, Y.; Lu, Y.; Cao, Y. Optimizing Ecological Pulse Flows for Spawning Habitats Using a Genetic Algorithm-Enhanced Fuzzy HSI Model: A Case Study of the Downstream West Songhua River Reach of Fengman Dam. Water 2026, 18, 1454. https://doi.org/10.3390/w18121454

AMA Style

Wang Q, Gao Z, Yan Q, Dai T, Zhang Y, Lu Y, Cao Y. Optimizing Ecological Pulse Flows for Spawning Habitats Using a Genetic Algorithm-Enhanced Fuzzy HSI Model: A Case Study of the Downstream West Songhua River Reach of Fengman Dam. Water. 2026; 18(12):1454. https://doi.org/10.3390/w18121454

Chicago/Turabian Style

Wang, Qingwei, Zhiming Gao, Qiang Yan, Tao Dai, Yan Zhang, Yaxin Lu, and Yang Cao. 2026. "Optimizing Ecological Pulse Flows for Spawning Habitats Using a Genetic Algorithm-Enhanced Fuzzy HSI Model: A Case Study of the Downstream West Songhua River Reach of Fengman Dam" Water 18, no. 12: 1454. https://doi.org/10.3390/w18121454

APA Style

Wang, Q., Gao, Z., Yan, Q., Dai, T., Zhang, Y., Lu, Y., & Cao, Y. (2026). Optimizing Ecological Pulse Flows for Spawning Habitats Using a Genetic Algorithm-Enhanced Fuzzy HSI Model: A Case Study of the Downstream West Songhua River Reach of Fengman Dam. Water, 18(12), 1454. https://doi.org/10.3390/w18121454

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