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The MesoHABSIM simulation model was developed in 2000 as an enhancement of the habitat descriptions used in the physical habitat simulation model (PHABSIM). MesoHABSIM integrates system-scale assessment of ecological integrity in flowing waters with quantitative information on physical habitat distribution to simulate habitat changes at the watershed scale. The goal was better integration of physical habitat models into river management by 'upscaling' to address issues relevant at management levels. This paper describes the most updated version of the MesoHABSIM approach resulting from the experience gained during the application of the model in projects since 2000.
This paper relates life cycle characteristics of fishes, their environmental tolerances, habitat requirements, and resilience against hydromorphological disturbances to a recently developed river typology providing a hierarchy of spatial units. It aims to identify the most relevant spatiotemporal scales for river restoration and environmental assessment. Most fish species, except diadromous and some potamodromous species, can complete their life cycle within a river reach and form sustainable populations within a river segment. They typically move within the spatial scale of river segments and have their home range within the river reach. By comprising heterogeneous patterns of different geomorphic and hydraulic units, the reach provides habitat complexity and heterogeneity that supports river‐type‐specific fish assemblages. The single units are often used temporarily or by specific life stages only underpinning the need for habitat diversity. Further, they might be only temporarily available. River fishes have evolved several life cycle adaptations to improve their resilience against stochastic disturbances, as high fecundity, multiple spawning, batch‐spawning, a protracted annual spawning season, and long life‐time fecundity with multi‐cyclic spawning. Therefore, they are well adapted to environmental variations driven by hydromorphological processes. Considering the home range of most species, representative sampling at the reach scale will cover all functional river elements, hydraulic, and geomorphic units, while accounting for their temporary or sporadic use by fish. Therefore, the reach scale appears as practicable and sufficient scale for fish‐based assessments and as highly relevant planning unit in hydromorphological river restoration practise. Nonetheless, reach‐scale characteristics are largely inherited from large‐scale geomorphic processes and multiple pressures at the catchment scale that may impact aquatic communities and river restoration success at the lower spatial scales. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An important goal in the development of the MesoHABSIM model is its integration into river management frameworks. Here I explain how the model can be used as a backbone for ecological management planning at the catchment scale, and how it may serve in establishing rehabilitation end-points. Next, I merge the MesoHABSIM model with the target fish community (TFC) approach to develop target habitat conditions and make recommendations for their achievement. By observing the frequency, magnitude and duration of extreme habitat events occurring under natural conditions, one can estimate the critical habitat values and limiting habitat factors leading to environmental stress. This creates a foundation for the developing dynamic flow/habitat augmentation schemes to help prevent human-induced pulse and press disturbance at the intra-and inter-annual scale. The rules are seasonal and use 'habitat' as an ultimate metric rather than flow alone. The final recommendations identify locations with high restoration potential and conservation needs.
This study aimed to set out a new methodology for habitat modeling in high-gradient streams. The methodology is based on the mesoscale approach of the MesoHABSIM simulation system and can support the definition and assessment of environmental flow and habitat restoration measures. Data from 40 study sites located within the mountainous areas of the Valle d'Aosta, Piemonte and Liguria regions (Northwest Italy) were used in the analysis. To adapt MesoHABSIM to high-gradient streams, we first modified the data collection strategy to address the challenging conditions of surveys by using GIS and mobile mapping techniques. Secondly, we built habitat suitability models at a regional scale to enable their transferability among different streams with different morphologies. Thirdly, due to the absence of stream gauges in headwaters, we proposed a possible way to simulate flow time series and, therefore, generate habitat time series. The resulting method was evaluated in terms of time expenditure for field data collection and habitat-modeling potentials, and it represents a specific improvement of the MesoHABSIM system for habitat modeling in high-gradient streams, where other commonly used methodologies can be unsuitable. Through its application at several study sites, the proposed methodology adapted well to high-gradient streams and allowed the: (1) definition of fish habitat requirements for many streams simultaneously, (2) modeling of habitat variation over a range of discharges, and (3) determination of environmental standards for mountainous watercourses.
The lower reaches of the Bregenzerach, a river in western Austria, have been affected by heavy hydro‐peaking discharges (up to 60 m3 s−1) for several decades. In conjunction with a plan to construct a new power plant, mitigation measures were developed to reduce the adverse effects of hydro‐peaking in this river reach. The impact assessment examined the effects of a new flow management system introduced in 1992. The study concentrated on three main components: abiotics (morphology, hydrology, hydraulics), fish and benthic fauna. Prior to mitigation, both the fish and invertebrate fauna were heavily affected by the peaking. Benthic biomass was less than 15% of that predicted by an altitude model. After mitigation benthic biomass recovered to about 60% of the model prediction. No post‐mitigation improvement was found with respect to fish biomass. Flow velocity distribution data showed that rising surge releases had two distinct phases, a bed‐filling and a flow acceleration phase. The present flow management system, based on a dual‐flow logistic, resulted in increased base flows and reduced peak flows, but did not alter the ramping rates. The reduction of the adverse effects of the bed‐filling phase was apparently responsible for the recovery of the benthic fauna. However, the unaltered ramping rate of the acceleration phase may have inhibited the development of the fish community. An analysis of the hydrograph demonstrated the possibility of adjusting the present management strategy to reduce the ramping rate of the acceleration phase, smoothing out the peak duration curve.
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