Abstract
Many studies have investigated the influence of hydropower stations on macroinvertebrate communities, but few have clarified the influence of different types of hydropower stations. A total of 133 samples obtained from seven rivers, on which 45 hydropower stations are located, with the rivers distributed across four provinces (Yunnan, Jiangxi, Fujian, and Hubei) were investigated to study the influence of different types of small hydropower stations on macroinvertebrate communities. Samples were collected during 2011–2012. Results showed that 126 taxa of macroinvertebrates were collected, of which 68.3% were insects. The average macroinvertebrate density and biomass were 966 ± 112 ind/m2 and 17.31 ± 1.54 g/m2, respectively. For dam-type hydropower stations, the intercepting effect of the dam was the main factor affecting macroinvertebrate populations, whereas the influence of hydrological period was nonsignificant. Macroinvertebrate taxa richness exhibited a gradual increase from reservoir reaches to down-dam reaches and then to natural reaches (4.4, 6.5, and 9.5, respectively). The Shannon–Wiener index showed a similar increasing trend (1.06, 1.48, and 1.58, respectively), whereas biomass levels exhibited a decreasing trend (56.3, 25.2, and 6.0 g/m2, respectively). For the diversion-type hydropower stations, hydrological period was the main influential factor, whereas the intercepting effect of the dam was nonsignificant. From wet to dry seasons, increases were observed in macroinvertebrate abundance (5.2 to 8.3), density (322.2 to 1170.5 ind/m2), biomass (24.6 to 40.1 g/m2), and Shannon–Wiener index (1.23 to 2.08).
Highlights
As of the end of 2015, China has constructed more than 47,000 small hydropower stations with a capacity of less than 50,000 kW [1]
Dam-type power stations are typically composed of a dam and a power plant, whereas diversion-type power stations are usually composed of a dam, a diversion channel, and a power plant
Many small hydropower stations have been established in China, yet it is unclear whether they have had a significant influence on the macroinvertebrate community structure and whether the influence differs between different types of hydropower station
Summary
As of the end of 2015, China has constructed more than 47,000 small hydropower stations with a capacity of less than 50,000 kW [1]. Bredenhand and Samways [21] investigated the Tinau River in Nepal and showed that a small hydropower station had only a minor effect on the macroinvertebrate community structure. Studied the influence of small dams on macroinvertebrates in an unpolluted stream source and found that the effect of artificial regulation on flow appeared to be small and seemed to exert no obvious change on the physical habitat or water quality. Many small hydropower stations have been established in China, yet it is unclear whether they have had a significant influence on the macroinvertebrate community structure and whether the influence differs between different types of hydropower station (diversion-type and dam-type). Based on these research problems, researchers selected seven rivers in the Changjiang River Basin of China to investigate the influence of small hydropower stations on macroinvertebrates in this study
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