Eco-friendly dredging methods of changing fluvial landforms for enhancing hydraulic habitat quality and river corridor continuum
Journal
Science of The Total Environment
Journal Volume
936
ISSN
0048-9697
Date Issued
2024-08-01
Author(s)
Chen-Yu Lee
DOI
10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173439
Abstract
Hydraulic habitat connectivity, including the longitudinal continuum respect and lateral flood pulse, is critical for fish survival and organism dispersal. Inappropriate and excessive dredging for prevent flooding may harm river ecosystems. The main objective of this study is to evaluate whether eco-friendly dredging presented by changing local river landforms incorporating the concept of nature-based solutions could grow fish habitat quality for improving river continuity and achieving flood control effects. By combining various mathematical models and empirical formulas and verifying them with the data obtained through field surveys, we explore the interconnections of hydrology, river morphology, and the habitat dynamics of four endemic fishes in an alluvial river. The relationship between habitat structure, flood risk, and river topography, flow discharge was presented as the reference for developing the proper river dredging approaches. The results reveal that the primary habitat defects were lack of high-quality habitat, unsatisfied habitat diversity, deficiency in refugia, and disconnectivity. Longitudinal disconnectivity was induced due to shallow water depth, while lateral disconnectivity is primarily caused by fast flow velocity, suggesting different and specific dredging methods were instructed. We recommend that the corresponding eco-friendly dredging schemes for longitudinal and lateral suitable habitat linkages increase fish habitat quality and river corridor continuity. The win-win strategy for enhancing the connection between suitable habitats sustains a more beneficial aquatic corridor and simultaneously achieves alluvial flood disaster risk reduction.
Subjects
Corridor
Eco-friendly dredging
Fish hydro-habitat
Flood pulse
River continuum
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Description
Article number 173439
Type
journal article