Application of Echo-Sounder Monitoring Technique as Ecological Impact Assessments of Fish on Artificial Weir Construction

Abstract

In this study, Echo-sounder(Es) monitoring methodology was applied to test environmental impacts of artificial weirs(SCW and JSW) in the Yeongsan River on fish community and habitat structures at first time, and was compared with conventional fish sampling methodologies(C s). For the Es monitoring in the fields, parallel transect methods was employed in determining the survey distance interval with every 125 m within the upper-lower 2 km of the weirs. Four different fish sampling gears such as casting nets, kick nets, fyke nets, and gill nets were used for applications of C s monitoring methodology. According to the Echo-sounder monitoring, fish density, expressed as a number of individuals per square meter, along the longitudinal axis of the weir was significantly greater(JSW, t = 3.506, n = 30, p < 0.001) in the down-river reach of the weir than in the up-river reach. Also, fish density along the vertical water column was highest at mid-depths of Seungchon weir, which has simple habitat substrates, while fish density was highest at hypolimnetic depth of Juksan weir. According to fish sampling by the C s methodology, the fish compositions decreased as the river goes upward, and significant differences(JSW, t = 0.248, n = 30, p < 0.05) in the compositions of fish species occurred between up-reach and down-reach of the weirs. The dominant species near the two weirs were Opsarichthys uncirostris amurensis, Hemiculter eigenmanni and Coilia nasus. Overall, our fish and