Habitat Simulation Research Articles

Potential impacts of climate change on flow regime and fish habitat in mountain rivers of the south-western Balkans

The climate change in the Mediterranean area is expected to have significant impacts on the aquatic ecosystems and particular in the mountain rivers and streams that often host important species such as the Salmo farioides, Karaman 1938. These impacts will most possibly affect the habitat availability for various aquatic species resulting to an essential alteration of the water requirements, either for dams or other water abstractions, in order to maintain the essential levels of ecological flow for the rivers. The main scope of this study was to assess potential climate change impacts on the hydrological patterns and typical biota for a south-western Balkan mountain river, the Acheloos. The altered flow regimes under different emission scenarios of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) were estimated using a hydrological model and based on regional climate simulations over the study area. The Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration (IHA) methodology was then used to assess the potential streamflow alterations in the studied river due to predicted climate change conditions. A fish habitat simulation method integrating univariate habitat suitability curves and hydraulic modeling techniques were used to assess the impacts on the relationships between the aquatic biota and hydrological status utilizing a sentinel species, the West Balkan trout. The most prominent effects of the climate change scenarios depict severe flow reductions that are likely to occur especially during the summer flows, changing the duration and depressing the magnitude of the natural low flow conditions. Weighted Usable Area-flow curves indicated the limitation of suitable habitat for the native trout. Finally, this preliminary application highlighted the potential of science-based hydrological and habitat simulation approaches that are relevant to both biological quality elements (fish) and current EU Water policy to serve as efficient tools for the estimation of possible climate change impacts on the south-western Balkan river ecosystems.

Physical habitat simulations of the Dal River in Korea using the GEP Model

Abstract The GEP model, a recently-developed robust artificial intelligence technique, captures the benefits of both genetic algorithm and genetic programming by using chromosomes and expression trees. This paper presents a physical habitat simulation using the GEP model. The study area is a 2.5 km long reach of a stream, located downstream from a dam in the Dal River in Korea. Field monitoring revealed that Zacco platypus is the dominant species in the study area. The CCHE2D model and the GEP model were used for hydraulic and habitat simulations, respectively. Since the GEP model belongs to the data-driven approach, the model directly predicts the composite suitability index using the monitoring data. The GEP model is capable of considering correlations between all physical habitat variables, which is a clear advantage over knowledge-based models, such as the habitat suitability index model. The model was first validated using measured data. Distributions of the composite suitability index were then predicted using the GEP model for various flows. The predicted results were compared with those obtained using the habitat suitability index model. A sensitivity study of the GEP model was also carried out. Finally, the GEP model was used to construct habitat suitability curves for each physical habitat variable. The resulting habitat suitability curves were found to be very similar to those constructed by the method of Gosse (1982) . The findings indicate that the conventional multiplicative aggregation method consistently underestimates the composite suitability index. Thus, the geometric mean method is proposed for use with calibrated coefficients.

2차원 어류 서식처 모의를 이용한 격리된 구하도의 연결성 복원에 따른 서식지 개선 평가

Lateral connectivity between a main channel and a former channel plays an integral role in maintaining ecological functions of stream-floodplain ecosystems. This study virtually restored the connectivity of the former channel, which is currently isolated by channelization, in the Mangyeong River, Korea. Fish habitat improvement after the connectivity restoration was evaluated using River2D, two-dimensional depth-averaged hydraulic modeling, depending on normal and flood flow conditions. Target fish species were crucian carp (Carassius auratus), which are known as lentic species, and pale chub (Zacco platypus), known as lotic species. The weighted usable area (WUA) of the two species was increased after the connectivity restoration: the two-way connection between the main and formal channels was more effective than the one-way connection. The result of the physical habitat simulation at a flood flow condition demonstrated an increased rate of the WUA than during a normal flow condition. In particular, the WUA of pale chub increased about four times on the two-way connectivity restoration. This result suggests that habitat availability of both lentic and lotic fish species will increase after a connectivity restoration, and a two-way connectivity restoration may be more effective. In addition, the restored formal channel would function as a shelter for fish during the flood season.

Prediction of composite suitability index for physical habitat simulations using the ANFIS method

A physical habitat simulation is a useful tool for assessing the impact of river development or restoration on river ecosystem. Conventional methods of physical habitat simulation use the habitat suitability index models and their success depends largely on how well the model reflects monitoring data. One of preferred habitat suitability index models is habitat suitability curves, which are normally constructed based on monitoring data. However, these curves can easily be affected by the subjective opinion of the expert. This study introduces the ANFIS method for predicting the composite suitability index for use in physical habitat simulations. The ANFIS method is a hybrid type of artificial intelligence technique that combines the artificial neural network and fuzzy logic. The method is known to be a powerful approach especially for developing nonlinear relationships between input and output datasets.In this study, the ANFIS method was used to predict the composite suitability index for the physical habitat simulation of a 2.5km long reach of the Dal River in Korea. Zacco platypus was chosen as the target fish of the study area. A 2D hydraulic simulation was performed, and the hydraulic model was validated by comparing the measured and predicted water surface elevations. The distribution of the composite suitability index predicted by the ANFIS model was compared with that using the habitat suitability curves. The comparisons reveal that the two distributions are similar for various flows. In addition, the distribution of the composite suitability index of the Dal River is computed by the ANFIS method using monitoring data for the other watersheds, namely the Hongcheon River, the Geum River, and the Chogang Stream. The monitoring data for the Chogang Stream, correlation pattern of which was the most similar to that of the Dal River, yielded the distribution of the composite suitability index, which was very close to that obtained using data for the Dal River. This is also supported by the mean absolute percentage error for the difference in the weighted usable areas.

Evaluation of environmental flow requirements using eco-hydrologic-hydraulic methods in perennial rivers.

The assessment of environmental flows in rivers is of vital importance for preserving riverine ecosystem processes. This paper addresses the evaluation of environmental flow requirements in three reaches along a typical perennial river (the Zab transboundary river, in north-west Iran), using different hydraulic, hydrological and ecological methods. The main objective of this study came from the construction of three dams and inter-basin transfer of water from the Zab River to the Urmia Lake. Eight hydrological methods (i.e. Tennant, Tessman, flow duration curve analysis, range of variability approach, Smakhtin, flow duration curve shifting, desktop reserve and 7Q2&10 (7-day low flow with a 2- and 10-year return period)); two hydraulic methods (slope value and maximum curvature); and two habitat simulation methods (hydraulic-ecologic, and Q Equation based on water quality indices) were used. Ecological needs of the riverine key species (mainly Barbus capito fish), river geometries, natural flow regime and the environmental status of river management were the main indices for determining the minimum flow requirements. The results indicate that the order of 35%, 17% and 18% of the mean annual flow are to be maintained for the upper, middle and downstream river reaches, respectively. The allocated monthly flow rates in the three Dams steering program are not sufficient to preserve the Zab River life.

유인수로의 운영에 따른 달성보 인공하도식 어도의 유인효율 평가

In this study, the attraction efficiency of the by-pass fishway installed at Dalseong Weir in Nakdong River was assessed according to operation of the attraction waterway by using River2D which is a two-dimensional physical habitat simulation model. The model was calibrated and validated through the measured water elevation. The attraction efficiency of the fishway was evaluated at the low flow condition because the target fish, Zacco platypus (Z. platypus), have moved frequently up and downstream at the spawning season from April to June. From simulation results, it can be deduced that the attraction efficiency at situation of open attraction waterway is superior to that of close attraction waterway. Also it is shown that velocity field at inner region of the fishway is suitable for migration of the fish.

A general multi-objective programming model for minimum ecological flow or water level of inland water bodies

Assessment of ecological flow or water level for water bodies is important for the protection of degraded or degrading ecosystems caused by water shortage in arid regions, and it has become a key issue in water resources planning. In the past several decades, many methods have been proposed to assess ecological flow for rivers and ecological water level for lakes or wetlands. To balance water uses by human and ecosystems, we proposed a general multi-objective programming model to determine minimum ecological flow or water level for inland water bodies, where two objectives are water index for human and habitat index for ecosystems, respectively. Using the weighted sum method for multi-objective optimization, minimum ecological flow or water level can be determined from the breakpoint in the water index-habitat index curve, which is similar to the slope method to determine minimum ecological flow from wetted perimeter-discharge curve. However, the general multi-objective programming model is superior to the slope method in its physical meaning and calculation method. This model provides a general analysis method for ecological water uses of different inland water bodies, and can be used to define minimum ecological flow or water level by choosing appropriate water and habitat indices. Several commonly used flow or water level assessment methods were found to be special cases of the general model, including the wetted perimeter method and the multi-objective physical habitat simulation method for ecological river flow, the inundated forest width method for regeneration flow of floodplain forest and the lake surface area method for ecological lake level. These methods were applied to determine minimum ecological flow or water level for two representative rivers and a lake in northern Xinjiang of China, including minimum ecological flow for the Ertix River, minimum regeneration flow for floodplain forest along the midstream of Kaxgar River, and minimum ecological lake level for the Ebinur Lake. The results illustrated the versatility of the general model, and can provide references for water resources planning and ecosystem protection for these rivers and lake.

댐 건설에 따른 하류 하도 어류 서식처 변화 분석

Dam construction changes flow regime and stream morphology in the downstream reach. These affect the ecosystem of downstream reach. This study provides the assessment of the impact of dam construction on the downstream fish habitat. For this, physical habitat simulations are carried out. The quasi-steady model is used for hydraulic simulation, The hydraulic model used in the present study is capable of simulating the morphological change due to sediment transport. The change of the fish habitat condition is investigated using the flow scenarios before and after the dam construction. Simulation results indicate that the habitat suitability decreases frequently due to hydropeaking after dam construction. In addition, erosion is expected to occur in a reach downstream of dam. This is a long term effect due to the shut-down of sediment supply from the upstream reach.

Habitat Simulation and Comparison for the Ictalurus Punctatus Species within a River Reach, in Order to Create an Ecological Park

Habitat Simulation and Comparison for the Ictalurus Punctatus Species within a River Reach, in Order to Create an Ecological Park

Habitat Simulation and Comparison for the Ictalurus Punctatus Species within a River Reach, in Order to Create an Ecological Park

Habitat Simulation and Comparison for the Ictalurus Punctatus Species within a River Reach, in Order to Create an Ecological Park

Habitat Simulation and Comparison for the Ictalurus Punctatus Species within a River Reach, in Order to Create an Ecological Park

Habitat Simulation and Comparison for the Ictalurus Punctatus Species within a River Reach, in Order to Create an Ecological Park

Habitat Simulation and Comparison for the Ictalurus Punctatus Species within a River Reach, in Order to Create an Ecological Park

Habitat Simulation and Comparison for the Ictalurus Punctatus Species within a River Reach, in Order to Create an Ecological Park

Habitat Simulation and Comparison for the Ictalurus Punctatus Species within a River Reach, in Order to Create an Ecological Park

Habitat Simulation and Comparison for the Ictalurus Punctatus Species within a River Reach, in Order to Create an Ecological Park

Habitat Simulation and Comparison for the Ictalurus Punctatus Species within a River Reach, in Order to Create an Ecological Park

Habitat Simulation and Comparison for the Ictalurus Punctatus Species within a River Reach, in Order to Create an Ecological Park

Habitat Simulation and Comparison for the Ictalurus Punctatus Species within a River Reach, in Order to Create an Ecological Park

Habitat Simulation and Comparison for the Ictalurus Punctatus Species within a River Reach, in Order to Create an Ecological Park

A quasi‐2D and quasi‐steady hydraulic model for physical habitat simulations

AbstractThis study presents a new hydraulic model for simulating the physical habitat of a river. The model is based on the quasi‐steady assumption that the flow is steady, but the channel morphology changes during the computational time step. The model is also capable of simulating flow distribution in the lateral direction, making the model quasi‐two‐dimensional. The physical habitat simulations are carried out for a reach including a bend in the Dal River in Korea. Zacco platypus is used as the target fish. The habitat suitability index model for Zacco platypus, based on field monitoring, is used for the habitat simulation. The hydraulic model simulates morphological changes caused by a flood and the result is compared with the two‐dimensional model. Simulation results obtained using the developed model compares favorably to calculations obtained using the two‐dimensional model. Distributions of the habitat suitability index are provided for various flows by the present model. It is found that the morphological change by the flood increases the habitat suitability significantly by decreasing the flow depth and increasing the velocity in the study reach. In addition, the time change of the weighted usable area based on the mobile‐bed computation is given, indicating that the flood decreases the habitat suitability seriously. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Test of a Benthic Macroinvertebrate Habitat—Flow Time Series Model Incorporating Disturbance and Recovery Processes

AbstractWe tested a model [Benthic Invertebrate Time series Habitat Simulation (BITHABSIM)] for simulating the effect of changes in flow on benthic macroinvertebrate habitat and relative abundance. The model calculates a habitat index (WUA2) based on weighted usable area (WUA) modified to account for reduction of invertebrate abundance by flood disturbance and drying followed by recolonization. The test involved a comparison of WUA and WUA2 with a 1‐year abundance time series of the common New Zealand mayfly Deleatidium spp. in a small gravel‐bed river with naturally variable flows. The fit of WUA and WUA2 to the Deleatidium spp. abundance time series was judged on correlation and regression analysis of the magnitudes and slopes of the mean‐standardized indices and abundance versus time. WUA fit the low flow part of the abundance time series fairly well, but not the portion after flood disturbance. Over the entire time series, WUA fit Deleatidium spp. abundance and rate of change poorly. WUA2 fit Deleatidium abundance better, but the correlation was not quite statistically significant at the 95% level. However, it did explain the essential temporal pattern. The fit of the slopes of standardized WUA2 to the slopes of standardized Deleatidium spp. abundance was significant (R2 = 0.66), but with a systematic bias; high slopes were underestimated and low slopes overestimated. BITHABSIM adds biological realism to traditional hydraulic‐habitat modelling based on WUA and so improves the reliability of assessments of effects of flow change on benthic macroinvertebrates over the entire hydrograph. Parameter uncertainty and research needs to improve BITHABSIM and future process‐based models are discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

초강천에서 어류의 최적 생태유량 산정

하천복원과 환경유량을 위한 기초자료를 확립하고자 금강수계의 초강천에서 생물학적 건강성 및 최적 생태유량에 대하여 조사하였다. 출현한 어종은 총 9과 36종 4,669개체였으며, 잉어과가 66.7%(24종)로 가장 높았다. 참갈겨니가 1,588개체로 34.0%로 우점종이었으며, 아우점종은 피라미로 22.6%, 우세종은 쉬리 13.3%로 나타났다. IBI와 QHEI는 상류로부터 하류로 내려갈수록 값이 감소하는 것으로 나타났으며, IBI 값은 27.9~38.6으로 평균 32.2로 양호상태를 나타냈다. 참갈겨니, 쉬리 및 감돌고기에 대하여 서식도적합도지수(HSI) 및 최적 생태유량을 산정하였다. 참갈겨니의 경우, 유속과 수심의 HSI 값은 각각 0.1~0.4 m/s와 0.2~0.4 m 였다. 감돌고기는 유속이 0.2~0.5 m/s, 수심이 0.4~0.6 m 및 하상재료가 가는자갈~호박돌로 나타났다. 이를 기초로 하여 각 지점의 최적 생태유량은 하류로 내려갈수록 값이 증가하는 것으로 나타났으며, 이에 따라서 WUA 값도 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. In order to establish fundamental data for stream restoration and environmental flow, we investigated optimal ecological flowrate (OEF) and riverine health condition in the Chogang Stream, a tributary to Geum River, Korea. The number of fish individuals sampled in this period were 4,669 in 36 species of 9 families. The most abundant species was Korean chub (Zacco koreanus, 34.0%) followed by pale chub (Z. platypus, 22.6%) and Korean shinner (Coreoleuciscus splendidus, 13.3%). Index of biological integrity (IBI) and qualitative habitat evaluation index (QHEI) values decreased from upstream to downstream along the stream. The estimated IBI value ranged from 27.9 to 38.6 with average 32.2 out of 50, rendering the site ecologically fair to good health conditions. OEF was estimated by the physical habitat simulation system (PHABSIM) using the habitat suitability indexes (HSI) of three fish species Z. koreanus, C. splendidus and Pseudopungtungia nigra selected as indicator species. In Z. koreanus, HSI for flow velocity and water depth were estimated at 0.1 to 0.4 m/s and 0.2 to 0.4 m, respectively. In P. nigra, HSI for flow velocity, water depth and substrate size were estimated at 0.2 to 0.5 m/s and 0.4 to 0.6 m and fine gravel to cobbles, respectively. OEF values increasing from up to downstream was found to increase, weighted usable area (WUA) values increased accordingly.

Evaulation of the Quality of an Aquatic Habitat on the Drietomica River

Abstract The ecological status of a river is influenced by many factors, of which the most important are fauna and flora; in this paper they are defined as a habitat. During the years 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2011, research on the hydroecological quality of a habitat was evaluated in the reference section of the Drietomica River. Drietomica is a typical representative river of the Slovak flysch area and is located in the region of the White Carpathians in the northwestern part of Slovakia. In this article the results of modeling a microhabitat by means of the Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM) are presented. For the one-dimensional modeling, the River Habitat Simulation System (RHABSIM) was used to analyse the interaction between a water flow, the morphology of a riverbed, and the biological components of the environment. The habitat ´s hydroecological quality was evaluated after detailed ichthyological, topographical and hydro-morphological surveys. The main step was assessing the biotic characteristics of the habitat through the suitability curves for the Brown trout (Salmo trutta m. fario). Suitability curves are a graphic representation of the main biotic and abiotic preferences of a microhabitat´s components. The suitability curves were derived for the depth, velocity, fish covers and degree of the shading. For evaluating the quality of the aquatic habitat, 19 fish covers were closely monitored and evaluated. The results of the Weighted Usable Area (WUA = f (Q)) were evaluated from a comprehensive assessment of the referenced reach of the Drietomica River.

Genetic diversity and differentiation in the critically endangered orchid (Amitostigma hemipilioides): implications for conservation

Amitostigma hemipilioides is an endangered terrestrial orchid endemic to China. In the Southwestern China, the species is found restricted growing in the karst limestone or rock in the edge of farmland, moist hillsides or river. In the present study, the genetic diversity and differentiation was estimated within and among habitats, populations and groups of this species by ISSR markers. Using 13 polymorphic primers, an intermediate level of genetic diversity was found at the species level and population level with the percentage of polymorphic bands (P) of 64.7 and 50.9 %, Shannon index of diversity (I) of 0.3873 and 0.2949, respectively. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that the high level of population differentiation was presented with 45.63 % relative to the total genetic variation residing among eight populations. It was noteworthy that as much as 69.17 % of the total diversity was most likely attributed to the difference among the populations in fragmentation habitat conditions, while 16.32 % of the total diversity could be attributed to the difference among the populations in stable and favorable habitat conditions. The in situ conservation is a top strategy, thus the mycorrhizal fungi and pollinators are protected by protecting habitat and avoiding fragmentation which is helpful to the cycle of this endangered orchid species and recovery of its wild populations. In addition, to maintaining the germplasm bank of this species, the ex situ conservation by habitat simulation and reintroduction has been considered in the living collection at Kaili University ecological garden and Yuntai Mountain scenic spot using the plants collected in this study.