Global proliferation of small hydropower plants – science and policy

Couto, Thiago B. A.; Olden, Julian D.

doi:10.1002/fee.1746

Cited by 272 publications

(221 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…However, these new areas should also consider freshwater environments and biodiversity because they are subject to a variety of human disturbances (e.g., Alho & Sabino, 2011;Vitule et al, 2015;Garcia, Ribeiro, Roque, Ochoa-Quintero, & Laurance, 2017). For example, a large number of small-and medium-sized dams have been planned or are under construction in Brazil and in other South American countries (Zarfl, Lumsdon, Berlekamp, Tydecks, & Tockner, 2015); hydropower expansion can irreversibly damage biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (Couto & Olden, 2018;Linares, Callisto, & Marques, 2018;Nogueira, Oliveira, & Britto, 2008;Winemiller et al, 2016).…”

Section: The Need For More Pa Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Protected areas: A focus on Brazilian freshwater biodiversity

Azevedo‐Santos

Frederico

Fagundes³

et al. 2018

Diversity and Distributions

113

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Brazil has a variety of aquatic ecosystems and rich freshwater biodiversity, but these components have been constantly damaged by the expansion of unsustainable activities. An array of different conservation strategies is needed, especially the creation of protected areas (PAs, hereafter). However, Brazil's PAs are biased towards terrestrial ecosystems and we argue that current PAs have limited efficacy in the protection of freshwater biodiversity. New PAs should better consider aquatic environments, covering entire basins, rivers and other freshwater habitats. We recommend ways to implement these PAs and provide guidance to avoid social impacts. Freshwater systems in Brazil provide essential goods and services but these ecosystems are being rapidly degraded and will be lost if not adequately protected.

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Section: The Need For More Pa Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Protected areas: A focus on Brazilian freshwater biodiversity

Azevedo‐Santos

Frederico

Fagundes³

et al. 2018

Diversity and Distributions

113

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“…In many watersheds, snowpack is a natural reservoir that disperses cool, snow-fed runoff throughout the landscape in the spring and summer (e.g., Knowles and Cayan 2002). In addition, dams and artificial reservoirs have proliferated globally and, by retaining waters, altered the timing and magnitude of downstream flow and temperature Naiman 2009, Couto andOlden 2018). In some watersheds, managers can control the amount and temperature (by sourcing water from portions of thermoclines) of waters released from reservoirs to facilitate favorable conditions for fish downstream (e.g., Danner et al 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Warm, dry winters truncate timing and size distribution of seaward‐migrating salmon across a large, regulated watershed

Munsch

Greene

Johnson

et al. 2019

Ecological Applications

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Ecologists are pressed to understand how climate constrains the timings of annual biological events (phenology). Climate influences on phenology are likely significant in estuarine watersheds because many watersheds provide seasonal fish nurseries where juvenile presence is synched with favorable conditions. While ecologists have long recognized that estuaries are generally important to juvenile fish, we incompletely understand the specific ecosystem dynamics that contribute to their nursery habitat value, limiting our ability to identify and protect vital habitat components. Here we examined the annual timing of juvenile coldwater fish migrating through a seasonally warm, hydrologically managed watershed. Our goal was to (1) understand how climate constrained the seasonal timing of water conditions necessary for juvenile fish to use nursery habitats and (2) inform management decisions about (a) mitigating climate‐mediated stress on nursery habitat function and (b) conserving heat‐constrained species in warming environments. Cool, wet winters deposited snow and cold water into mountains and reservoirs, which kept the lower watershed adequately cool for juveniles through the spring despite the region approaching its hot, dry summers. For every 1°C waters in April were colder, the juvenile fish population (1) inhabited the watershed 4–7 d longer and (2) entered marine waters, where survival is size selective, at maximum sizes 2.1 mm larger. Climate therefore appeared to constrain the nursery functions of this system by determining seasonal windows of tolerable rearing conditions, and cold water appeared to be a vital ecosystem component that promoted juvenile rearing. Fish in this system inhabit the southernmost extent of their range and already rear during the coolest part of the year, suggesting that a warming climate will truncate rather than shift their annual presence. Our findings are concerning for coldwater diadromous species in general because warming climates may constrain watershed use and diminish viability of life histories (e.g., late springtime rearing) and associated portfolio benefits over the long term. Lower watershed nurseries for coldwater fish in warming climates may be enhanced through allocating coldwater reservoir releases to prolong juvenile rearing periods downstream or restorations that facilitate colder conditions.

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“…& Layman, 2011), culverts (MacPherson, Sullivan, Foote, & Stevens, 2012) and dams (Couto & Olden, 2018) can constrain both upstream and downstream movement of riverine fish (Calles & Greenberg, 2009). How riverine fish respond to artificial barriers depends on a variety of factors such as location and permeability of the barrier, and fish life history traits especially size and mobility (Cooney & Kwak, 2013).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatiotemporal patterns of mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) in response to a restoration of longitudinal connectivity

Kiffney

Cram

Faulds³

et al. 2018

Ecology of Freshwater Fish

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To examine the role of longitudinal connectivity on the spatial and temporal dynamics of mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni), we quantified movement and population dynamics following installation of the Landsburg Dam fishway, Cedar River, WA, USA. Mountain whitefish is widely distributed, poorly studied and not the focus of restoration. Before the fishway, mountain whitefish were not observed above the dam. Here, we focus on snorkel counts collected at reach and mesohabitat (e.g. pools) scales over 11 summers on the 20‐km above‐dam segment following restoration. A camera within the ladder provided number, size and movement timing, thereby informing on behaviour and recolonisation. Segment‐scale abundance increased following fish passage reaching an asymptote in 7 years, and mountain whitefish were detected throughout the main stem in 10 years. Annual movement through the ladder increased over time and was positively correlated with instream abundance and discharge, but negatively correlated with water temperature. About 60% of fish movements occurred in spring and early summer, potentially for foraging opportunities. Reach‐scale abundance peaked between 7 and 10 km from the dam; deep, cool (~10.6 to 11.6°C) conditions characterised these reaches. At the mesohabitat scale, mountain whitefish detection increased with depth and velocity after accounting for distance from the dam. Our results show how restoring longitudinal connectivity allowed this nontarget species to colonise newly available habitat. Their response supports the critical roles of longitudinal connectivity and environmental conditions, that manifest at different spatial scales, in dictating how freshwater fish respond to habitat disturbance.

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Global proliferation of small hydropower plants – science and policy

Cited by 272 publications

References 53 publications

Protected areas: A focus on Brazilian freshwater biodiversity

Protected areas: A focus on Brazilian freshwater biodiversity

Warm, dry winters truncate timing and size distribution of seaward‐migrating salmon across a large, regulated watershed

Spatiotemporal patterns of mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) in response to a restoration of longitudinal connectivity

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