Passability of Potamodromous Species through a Fish Lift at a Large Hydropower Plant (Touvedo, Portugal)
River fragmentation by large hydropower plants (LHP) has been recognized as a major threat for potamodromous fish. Fishways have thus been built to partially restore connectivity, with fish lifts representing the most cost-effective type at high head obstacles. This study assessed the effectiveness...
Main Authors: | , , , , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
MDPI AG
2019-12-01
|
Series: | Sustainability |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/1/172 |
id |
doaj-cb860cc7b4264c4995996f90aeb48476 |
---|---|
record_format |
Article |
spelling |
doaj-cb860cc7b4264c4995996f90aeb484762020-11-25T01:36:22ZengMDPI AGSustainability2071-10502019-12-0112117210.3390/su12010172su12010172Passability of Potamodromous Species through a Fish Lift at a Large Hydropower Plant (Touvedo, Portugal)Daniel Mameri0Rui Rivaes1João M. Oliveira2João Pádua3Maria T. Ferreira4José M. Santos5Forest Research Centre (CEF), School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, PortugalForest Research Centre (CEF), School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, PortugalForest Research Centre (CEF), School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, PortugalEDP Labelec—Estudos, Desenvolvimento e Actividades Laboratoriais, S.A., Rua Cidade de Goa, 4, 2685-038 Sacavém, PortugalForest Research Centre (CEF), School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, PortugalForest Research Centre (CEF), School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, PortugalRiver fragmentation by large hydropower plants (LHP) has been recognized as a major threat for potamodromous fish. Fishways have thus been built to partially restore connectivity, with fish lifts representing the most cost-effective type at high head obstacles. This study assessed the effectiveness with which a fish lift in a LHP on the River Lima (Touvedo, Portugal), allows potamodromous fish—Iberian barbel (<i>Luciobarbus bocagei</i>), Northern straight-mouth nase (<i>Pseudochondrostoma duriense</i>) and brown trout (<i>Salmo trutta fario</i>)- to migrate upstream. Most fish (79.5%) used the lift between summer and early-fall. Water temperature was the most significant predictor of both cyprinids’ movements, whereas mean daily flow was more important for trout. Movements differed according to peak-flow magnitude: nase (67.8%) made broader use of the lift in the absence of turbined flow, whereas a relevant proportion of barbel (44.8%) and trout (44.2%) passed when the powerhouse was operating at half (50 m<sup>3</sup>s<sup>−1</sup>) and full-load (100 m<sup>3</sup>s<sup>−1</sup>), respectively. Size-selectivity found for barbel and trout could reflect electrofishing bias towards smaller sizes. The comparison of daily abundance patterns in the river with fish lift records allowed the assessment of the lift’s efficacy, although biological requirements of target species must be considered. Results are discussed in the context of management strategies, with recommendations for future studies.https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/1/172potamodromous fishmigrationlifthydropowerspecies management |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Daniel Mameri Rui Rivaes João M. Oliveira João Pádua Maria T. Ferreira José M. Santos |
spellingShingle |
Daniel Mameri Rui Rivaes João M. Oliveira João Pádua Maria T. Ferreira José M. Santos Passability of Potamodromous Species through a Fish Lift at a Large Hydropower Plant (Touvedo, Portugal) Sustainability potamodromous fish migration lift hydropower species management |
author_facet |
Daniel Mameri Rui Rivaes João M. Oliveira João Pádua Maria T. Ferreira José M. Santos |
author_sort |
Daniel Mameri |
title |
Passability of Potamodromous Species through a Fish Lift at a Large Hydropower Plant (Touvedo, Portugal) |
title_short |
Passability of Potamodromous Species through a Fish Lift at a Large Hydropower Plant (Touvedo, Portugal) |
title_full |
Passability of Potamodromous Species through a Fish Lift at a Large Hydropower Plant (Touvedo, Portugal) |
title_fullStr |
Passability of Potamodromous Species through a Fish Lift at a Large Hydropower Plant (Touvedo, Portugal) |
title_full_unstemmed |
Passability of Potamodromous Species through a Fish Lift at a Large Hydropower Plant (Touvedo, Portugal) |
title_sort |
passability of potamodromous species through a fish lift at a large hydropower plant (touvedo, portugal) |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Sustainability |
issn |
2071-1050 |
publishDate |
2019-12-01 |
description |
River fragmentation by large hydropower plants (LHP) has been recognized as a major threat for potamodromous fish. Fishways have thus been built to partially restore connectivity, with fish lifts representing the most cost-effective type at high head obstacles. This study assessed the effectiveness with which a fish lift in a LHP on the River Lima (Touvedo, Portugal), allows potamodromous fish—Iberian barbel (<i>Luciobarbus bocagei</i>), Northern straight-mouth nase (<i>Pseudochondrostoma duriense</i>) and brown trout (<i>Salmo trutta fario</i>)- to migrate upstream. Most fish (79.5%) used the lift between summer and early-fall. Water temperature was the most significant predictor of both cyprinids’ movements, whereas mean daily flow was more important for trout. Movements differed according to peak-flow magnitude: nase (67.8%) made broader use of the lift in the absence of turbined flow, whereas a relevant proportion of barbel (44.8%) and trout (44.2%) passed when the powerhouse was operating at half (50 m<sup>3</sup>s<sup>−1</sup>) and full-load (100 m<sup>3</sup>s<sup>−1</sup>), respectively. Size-selectivity found for barbel and trout could reflect electrofishing bias towards smaller sizes. The comparison of daily abundance patterns in the river with fish lift records allowed the assessment of the lift’s efficacy, although biological requirements of target species must be considered. Results are discussed in the context of management strategies, with recommendations for future studies. |
topic |
potamodromous fish migration lift hydropower species management |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/1/172 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT danielmameri passabilityofpotamodromousspeciesthroughafishliftatalargehydropowerplanttouvedoportugal AT ruirivaes passabilityofpotamodromousspeciesthroughafishliftatalargehydropowerplanttouvedoportugal AT joaomoliveira passabilityofpotamodromousspeciesthroughafishliftatalargehydropowerplanttouvedoportugal AT joaopadua passabilityofpotamodromousspeciesthroughafishliftatalargehydropowerplanttouvedoportugal AT mariatferreira passabilityofpotamodromousspeciesthroughafishliftatalargehydropowerplanttouvedoportugal AT josemsantos passabilityofpotamodromousspeciesthroughafishliftatalargehydropowerplanttouvedoportugal |
_version_ |
1725063453115154432 |