Stream crossings and the conservation of diadromous invertebrates in South Pacific island streams

Abstract

Abstract Most non‐insect invertebrates that occur in streams on tropical Pacific islands are diadromous; they live as juveniles and adults in streams but have larvae that migrate to the ocean to complete their development before returning to fresh water. The type of crossing used in the construction of roads to traverse small streams can impede upstream migration and, consequently, colonization of diadromous fauna above the stream crossing. A stream in the Opunohu Valley, Moorea, French Polynesia, had the same diadromous fauna of atyid shrimps, palaemonid prawns, and neritid snails occurring above and below an 8 m wide, 10 m long, bottomless culvert (i.e. an open‐bottom bridge) built to flow over natural substrates. However, no diadromous species were found upstream of two 1 m diameter, 8 m long concrete pipes used for a culverted stream crossing. The increased shear stress in the pipe and subsequent downstream erosion of the stream bed probably inhibited upstream migration. Modifications to culverted stream crossings, which are widely used on tropical islands, can reduce migration barriers and prevent upstream loss of diadromous stream fauna. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.