Abstract
We critically analyzed a set of ecological models that are used to assess the impact of hydropower dams on water quality and habitat suitability for biological communities. After a literature search, we developed an integrated conceptual model that illustrates the linkages between the main input variables, model approaches, the output variables and biotic-abiotic interactions in the ecosystems related to hydropower dams. We found that variations in water flow and water depth coupled with increased nutrient availability are major variables that contribute to structural and functional ecosystem changes. We also found that ecological models are an important tool to assess the impact of hydropower dams. For instance, model simulation of different scenarios (e.g., with and without the dam, different operation methods) can analyze and predict the related ecosystem shifts. However, one of the remaining shortcomings of these models is the limited capacity to separate dam-related impacts from other anthropogenic influences (e.g., agriculture, urbanization). Moreover, collecting sufficient high-quality data to increase the statistical power remains a challenge. The severely altered conditions (e.g., generation of very deep lakes) also lead to difficulties for standardized data collection. We see future opportunities in the integration of models to improve the understanding of the different processes affected by hydropower dam development and operation, as well as the use of remote sensing methods for data collection.
Highlights
Human population growth and economic development cause increasing demands for energy.Hydropower is a renewable and inexpensive source of energy [1,2,3] that already contributed to about16% of the global electricity production in 2011 [4]
We reviewed scientific literature that investigates the impact of hydropower dams on river ecosystems by means of ecological models
We describe the complex interactions involved in the potential impacts of hydropower dams on freshwater aquatic ecosystems based on the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework
Summary
Human population growth and economic development cause increasing demands for energy.Hydropower is a renewable and inexpensive source of energy [1,2,3] that already contributed to about16% of the global electricity production in 2011 [4]. Dams have been continuously constructed for hydropower generation and other purposes [5,6,7]. Until 2016, there were globally about 58,402 large dams (i.e., with heights over than 15 m) in operation of which 9595 were primarily designed for hydropower generation [8]. Hydropower dams are typically designed and operated to maximize the energy production and/or to regulate the water flows in order to protect human settlements, as well. Water 2018, 10, 259 as aquatic ecosystems from drought and inundations [3]. Besides these assets, hydropower dams can have adverse effects on the structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems [5,7,9]
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