scholarly journals Application of the physical habitat simulation for fish species to assess environmental flows in an Atlantic Forest Stream in South-eastern Brazil

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 685-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus Rodrigues da Costa ◽  
Tailan Moretti Mattos ◽  
Victor Hugo Fernandes ◽  
Francisco Martínez-Capel ◽  
Rafael Muñoz-Mas ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The physical habitat simulation sub-routine of the Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM) uses hydraulic modeling and suitability indices of target fish species to predict how differences in-stream flows affect the microhabitat occupation by fish species. This habitat modelling approach was adopted to assess the ecological effects of running flows on three neotropical fish species of different orders (Bryconamericus ornaticeps , Ancistrus multispinis and Geophagus brasiliensis ).The study encompassed two reaches of an Atlantic Forest stream in Southeastern Brazil where topographic and hydraulic (depth, velocity and type of substrate) characteristics were measured to implement one-dimensional hydraulic simulation. Sub aquatic observation of fish was performed to collect data on microhabitat use and these data were used to develop habitat suitability curves that were used in the habitat simulation to obtain the habitat suitability index (HSI) and weighted usable area (WUA) versus flow curves. Upon these curves minimum and optimum environmental flows for the target fish species were proposed. Bryconamericus ornaticeps and A. multispinis selected microhabitats around 0.6 m depth, whereas G. brasiliensis showed a wider suitable range (0.35-0.9 m). All the three species were mainly observed in microhabitat with low flow velocity (0.1 m/s). Bryconamericus ornaticeps selected more frequently coarse substrate (e.g. boulders) but it appeared also over sandy substrate, whereas A. multispinis and G. brasiliensis selected preferably boulders. The range of 0.65-0.85 m3/s was found as the optimum to meet the needs of the three fish species. Our results agree with the necessary objective information to perform grounded management actions in the frame of a management program aiming at ecosystem conservation. Thereby it can be considered a successful pilot study in environmental flow assessment in an Atlantic Forest stream of Brazil.

Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 942 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyeongsik Kang ◽  
Byungwoong Choi

This study presents the impact of natural flow patterns on downstream aquatic species habitats in a reach of the Geum River, Korea. The study reach is a 13.4 km long, located downstream of the Yongdam Dam. To assess such an impact, this study performed physical habitat simulations. The River2D model was used for the computation of the flow field and morphology, and the Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) model for the habitat simulation. Three habitat variables—flow depth, velocity, and substrate were used. The Zacco platypus and Baetis fuscatus were selected as the target fish and benthic macro-invertebrate, respectively. Using the building block approach (BBA), the scenarios for modifying dam operations were constructed in the study reach. Scenario 1, scenario 2, and scenario 3 were proposed by using the magnitude–duration concept, base flow allocation concept, and seasonally adjusted minimum flow allocation concept, respectively. Simulation results indicated that the scenarios’ effects significantly increased by about 14.3% for the weighted usable area (WUA). In addition, the morphology change with the restoration of flood events was investigated. It was revealed that the morphology change in the physical habitat simulations further increased by about 13% for the WUA. The change of dam operations through natural flow patterns is more advantageous to aquatic species.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 2302
Author(s):  
Kyong Oh Baek ◽  
Jeong Min Lee ◽  
Tae Geom Ku ◽  
Young Do Kim

The attraction efficiency of a by-pass fishway installed at Gangjeong-Goryeong Weir on the Nakdong River in South Korea was evaluated according to flow rate variation of the main channel. Optimal flow rate that achieved the maximum value of attraction efficiency at the fishway entrance was also determined. The weir can adjust the flow rate of the main channel and the fishway by operating sluice gates. The weighted usable area (WUA) calculated on the basis of habitat suitability criteria (HSC) for target species using River2D (a two-dimensional physical habitat model) was regarded as an indicator of attraction efficiency. The simulated velocity field by River2D was validated by virtue of measured data acquired from GPS drifter field experiments. Additionally, monthly fish monitoring data obtained with a fish trap served as supporting data to confirm the validity of the estimated attraction efficiency. The monitoring results revealed that the fishway attraction efficiency was the highest during the spawning season (from April to June). The target fish used the fishway most frequently in April. However, many other fish species used the fishway in June. Simulation results revealed that the flow rate of the main channel at the weir should be maintained at 190 m3/s in order to most effectively attract the target fish species into the fishway entrance. Managing the optimal flow rate by operating the sluice gate is especially important during the spawning season of the target fish to facilitate upstream and downstream migration.


2021 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vitor Manuel B. Ferreira ◽  
Nathália de O. Paiva ◽  
Bruno E. Soares ◽  
Maíra Moraes

ABSTRACT This work aimed to assess the diversity and microhabitat use of benthic invertebrates in an urban forest stream in southeastern Brazilian region. The invertebrates were sampled in a headwater stream, located at the Tijuca Forest, Rio de Janeiro. Three types of microhabitats were sampled (litter, sand and stone) using a Surber sampler. Specimens were identified to the family-level and rarefaction curves were constructed for the total sampling and for each type of microhabitat. Community structure indices (abundance, taxonomic richness, diversity, and dominance) were calculated for each microhabitat. Differences among indices were tested through a repeated measure ANOVA, and differences among microhabitatsʼ composition through a PerMANOVA. A total of 9,800 specimens were registered in which Chironomidae was the most abundant. The rarefaction curves did not reach the asymptote. Community structure indices exhibited differences (RM ANOVA; p < 0.001), as well as microhabitats’ composition (PerMANOVA; p < 0.001). Abundance and taxonomic richness were the highest in litter, diversity was higher both in litter and stone, and sand had the highest dominance. Results highlighted that the variety of microhabitats may enhance local diversity and that the differences in resources availability of each type of microhabitat determine the distribution of these invertebrates.


2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 307-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael P. Leitão ◽  
Érica P. Caramaschi ◽  
Jansen Zuanon

Following behavior is a widespread feeding tactic among marine fishes, but remains poorly documented for freshwater fishes. The present study describes such association between two freshwater species: the minute armored catfish Parotocinclus maculicauda and the South American darter Characidium sp. During underwater observations in an Atlantic Forest stream, we recorded Characidium sp. closely following P. maculicauda (<5cm), catching the particles dislodged by this catfish's grazing activity. The following behavior displayed by the darter is considered opportunistic and possibly favors the capture of preys associated to the periphyton. This study is one of the few records of nuclear-follower feeding association between freshwater fishes and the first one in Atlantic Forest streams.


Water ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byungwoong Choi ◽  
Hyeongsik Kang ◽  
Woong Lee

A scientific understanding of the baseflow contribution to streams and watershed processes is critical when dealing with water policy and management issues. However, most previous studies involving physical habitat simulation have been performed without considering the seepage of water from the underground into streams. Motivated by this, herein, we report an investigation of the impact of baseflow using physical habitat simulations for both dominant fish and benthic macroinvertebrate. The study area was located along the reach of the Ungcheon Stream, located 16.50 km downstream and 11.75 km upstream from the Boryeong Dam in the Republic of Korea. For the physical habitat simulation, Zacco platypus and Baetis fuscatus were selected as the target fish and benthic macroinvertebrate, respectively. The HydroGeoSphere (HGS) model (Aquanty Inc., Waterloo, ON, Canada) and the River2D model (Version 0.95a, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada) were used for hydrologic and hydraulic simulations, respectively. The Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) model was used for the habitat simulations. Three habitat variables, flow depth, velocity, and substrate, were used. To assess the impact of baseflow, this study performed a physical habitat simulation using each representative discharge, with and without considering baseflow. It was found that the baseflow effects significantly increase the habitat suitability in the study reach. To restore the aquatic habitat, a scenario for modifying dam operations through natural flow patterns is presented using the Building Block Approach (BBA). In the study, the adjusted minimum flow allocation concept was used. It was revealed that the modified dam operations significantly increased the Weighted Usable Area (WUA) by about 48% for both target species. The results indicate that modifying the dam operations through restoration to natural flow regimes but also through inclusion of the baseflow are advantageous to aquatic fish habitats.


Check List ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Da Silva Gonçalves ◽  
Francisco Manoel de Souza Braga

The Juréia-Itatins Ecological Station (JIES) is one of the few protected areas in the state of São Paulo, which harbor a significant portion of the Atlantic forest. Although there is high diversity and endemism of fish species in this region, knowledge of the ichthyofauna in JIES is incipient. A total of 4,809 specimens belonging to six orders, 15 families and 31 species were captured during April 2009 to February 2010, using electrofishing, gillnets and traps. The family Characidae was predominant, mainly due to the abundance of freshwater species such as Astyanax ribeirae, Mimagoniates microlepis, and Hollandichthys multifasciatus. Although the estuarine regions were rarely sampled in this study, six brackish water species were captured. In this study, nine species previously unknown from JIES were discovered. Five endangered fish species, endemic to the Atlantic forest, occur at JIES, thus the presence of protected areas, as a conservation measure, is particularly relevant.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosana Mazzoni ◽  
Miriam Plaza Pinto ◽  
Ricardo Iglesias-Rios ◽  
Raquel Costa

ABSTRACT Given the importance of fish movement to the dynamics and maintenance of stream dwelling fish communities from the Atlantic Forest, we analysed patterns of fish movement in a coastal stream from Southeastern Brazil, using mark-recapture technique. Displacement distance of each species were presented and discussed considering seasonal (rainy and dry) and body size patterns. We marked 10 species along the stream and recaptured 440 (34.6%) of the 1,270 marked fishes. The species with significant number of upstream moving individuals were Astyanax janeiroensis, Characidium interruptum, Astyanax hastatus, Parotocinclus maculicauda and Awaous tajasica. Only Pimelodella lateristriga presented significant differences between resident and moving individuals. Characidium interruptum and A. tajasica demonstrated greater downstream and upstream movement, respectively, moving up to 2,100 m. Even after controlling for species identity we found no significant correlation between fish length and individual displacement distance. Fishes moved longer distances during the rainy season, in accordance to the breeding season. Patterns of fish movement were in agreement to life-history traits of many of the studied species and can be reflecting specific behaviour and morphologies.


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