Importance of Artificial High Flows in Maintaining the Ecological Integrity of a Regulated River

Robinson, Christopher T.; Consoli, Gabriele; Ortlepp, Johannes

doi:10.2139/ssrn.4365679

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…Generally, most monitoring of environmental flows has focused on short‐term responses, although this limitation is being addressed in recent monitoring programs (e.g. Gawne et al 2020; Robinson et al 2023). Without long‐term monitoring data, an evaluation of the effectiveness of environmental flows may prematurely conclude the unsuccessful attainment of restoration goals, as occurred in an earlier study of the Snowy River EFR (Brooks et al 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long‐term environmental flows restore benthic invertebrate communities in a highly regulated river

Brooks,

Coleman,

Bevitt

et al. 2024

Restoration Ecology

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The construction of dams and other in‐stream structures for human use has altered river ecosystems worldwide. Dams degrade rivers, and environmental flow releases aim to mitigate flow alterations and restore rivers downstream of dams by returning elements of the pre‐regulation flow regime, resulting in an ecosystem that resembles a more natural state. We examined the responses of benthic invertebrate communities in riffles and pool‐edge habitats to an environmental flow regime (EFR) in the highly regulated Snowy River over 17 years (2000–2016). Benthic invertebrate communities significantly changed in response to prolonged increases in the magnitude of all components of the flow regime. The composition of the benthos in the regulated river became more dissimilar to pre‐EFR communities and more closely resembled those of nearby unregulated rivers. These changes were apparent in both riffle and pool‐edge habitats and were most pronounced when flow magnitudes were highest. Scrapers increased as flows increased, and in contrast, the relative abundances of gatherers declined with prolonged high flows and could be attributed to increased daily flows and high flow events mobilizing fine sediment and scouring benthic substrates. These results indicated that the EFR altered abiotic conditions or resources that previously limited invertebrate abundances, facilitating changes to the benthic community. Community changes we observed were in response to a flow regime that remained drastically lower than natural, demonstrating that restoration targets can be achieved with small flow increases that mimic natural flow patterns.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%