Habitat evaluation model for ecologically successful lake restoration

Abstract

ABSTRACTYao W, Zhao T, Chen Y, Zhong Y, Fan H, Zhang W, Li L. 2017. Habitat evaluation model for ecologically successful lake restoration. Lake Reserv Manage. 00:1–13.Anthropogenic activities have severely affected the quality of Qianling Lake, China, causing mud and sediment deposition, poor water quality, and degraded fish habitat. In some regions of the lake, fish habitat that was formerly dominant has disappeared completely. A few areas of desirable habitat persist as a result of purposeful restoration actions, and these areas provide important conservation and restoration opportunities. In this study, the ecological conditions of Qianling Lake were assessed to identify hydrodynamic conditions, sediment deposition, and fish habitat suitability to recommend strategies for improving and restoring these areas. Two restoration strategies, “flood flush” and “add an artificial island,” were proposed and modeled to predict the restoration effects. Simulation results showed that the restoration scheme “add an artificial island” could improve spinibarbus (Spinibarbus sinensis Bleeker) habitat quality. The analysis also indicated that this restoration strategy could succeed in restoring the fish habitat under natural dynamic processes.