Abstract
Barrier removal is increasingly being seen as the optimal solution to restore lotic habitat and fish communities, however, evidence of its efficacy is often limited to single sites or catchments. This study used a before–after methodology to examine the short-term (average, 541 days) effects of low-head (0.1–2.9 m) barrier removal at 22 sites distributed across Denmark and northern England on fish density, community, and river habitat responses. Following barrier removal, changes in the aquatic habitat were observed, such that the area immediately upstream of the former barrier location became shallower, with larger substrate and faster flow conditions. The reinstatement of this habitat was especially valuable in Danish streams, where these habitat features are rare, due to the naturally low gradients. Across all 22 sites fish species richness and diversity was similar before and after removal of barriers, likely because of the short study timescale (1–2 years). Across all sites combined, there was an increase in total fish density following barrier removal. A large increase in salmonid (Salmo trutta and Salmo salar) densities following barrier removal occurred at 7 out of 12 Danish sites. No similar response in salmonid density was observed at any of the UK sites which were mostly characterized by high channel gradients and short ponded zones. Two UK barrier removal sites showed marked increases in density of non-salmonid fish species. This study suggests that the removal of low-head barriers can be an effective method of restoring lotic habitats, and can lead to positive changes in fish density in the former ponded zone. The short-term effect of small barrier removal on the fish community is more variable and its effectiveness is likely to be determined by wider riverine processes.
Highlights
Fragmentation of habitat within stream networks has been recognized as a serious threat to the diversity, abundance, and persistence of a variety of aquatic species (Sheldon, 1988; Dunham et al, 1997; Khan and Colbo, 2008)
“Before” measurements were made an average of 382 days before barrier removal; “After” measurements were made an average of 541 days after barrier removal. This is one of the first studies to report on the effects of removal of small barriers across multiple catchments, albeit over a short time scale and in the immediate upstream locality of the former barrier
Results of this study show, as hypothesized, that removal of barriers can have a positive impact on lotic habitat and fish density at some sites
Summary
Fragmentation of habitat within stream networks has been recognized as a serious threat to the diversity, abundance, and persistence of a variety of aquatic species (Sheldon, 1988; Dunham et al, 1997; Khan and Colbo, 2008). By their nature, most common on smaller, low stream order watercourses (Jones et al, 2019; Sun et al, 2020). The extent of their effects on biota depends primarily on the changes they cause to stream habitat and connectivity. The effect on connectivity depends upon the location (Kemp and O’Hanley, 2010); a small barrier immediately upstream of a confluence may restrict access by migrating species, while the connectivity impact of multiple adjacent barriers is cumulative
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