A Landscape Connectivity Approach for Determining Minimum Ecological Lake Level: Implications for Lake Restoration

Dan Liu,Zhi-Feng Yang,Xuan Wang,Sheng-Jun Yan,Bao-Shan Cui,Yun-Long Zhang

doi:10.3390/w11112237

Abstract

We proposed a new approach to determine the minimum ecological lake level using a landscape connectivity approach. Using MIKE 21 and ArcGIS software, we simulated the water landscape and corresponding connectivity of Baiyangdian Lake on the North China Plain and analyzed the relationship between landscape connectivity and lake level. The minimum ecological lake level was defined as the breakpoint of the lake level-connectivity curve. Results suggested that the minimum ecological lake level of Baiyangdian Lake is 7.8–8.0 m, below which lake ecosystems become fragmented and potentially fragile. Alternatively, better connectivity at lower lake levels may be achieved by engineered modification of landscape patterns. Such approaches can mitigate the waste of water and economic resources due to excessive reliance on increasing water levels to meet minimum connectivity requirements. This approach provided a new perspective for lake ecosystem restoration of use in water-resource- and landscape management.

Highlights

Affected by climate change and human activities, the accessibility of ecological lake water has seriously decreased, especially in arid areas [1,2]
The water surface area was an important index of the landscape pattern and a key element for determining landscape connectivity
Results showed that water surface areas obtained from simulation were close to those obtained from image interpretation at low lake levels, when reed areas were not flooded by water

Summary

Introduction

Affected by climate change and human activities, the accessibility of ecological lake water has seriously decreased, especially in arid areas [1,2]. Such a lack of accessibility results in lake degradation, followed by a decline in ecological services and functions with respect to water conservation, flood water storage, water purification, biodiversity protection and climate regulation [3]. Lake level is an important characteristic of the lake ecosystem [4]. The determination of minimum ecological lake levels has become an important factor in water resources allocation and lake restoration management

Methods

Results

Conclusion