No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

The implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) is a major challenge on large rivers. The current focus in applied fisheries science and in the implementation of the WFD is on fish passage and especially on hydraulic design parameters of fishways. This shifts attention from other important issues that must be addressed to reach the goals of the WFD. We believe that the requirements formulated in the WFD cannot be achieved by measures to improve fish passage alone. To achieve the objectives the improvement of habitat conditions, especially key habitat types such as permanently connected side arms, which provide spawning grounds and nurseries for rheophilic fish is required. We present an integrated approach which goes beyond upstream connectivity and prioritizes the creation and connection of habitats before the implementation of pure fish passage. The approach is based on a concept to compensate for the lack in gravel transportation and its function for the lithophilous fish community. The main ecological functions of gravel for fish such as providing spawning grounds and nurseries can be provided in connected and restructured tributaries, at shores with removed bank protection and in newly created bypass rivers.

No abstract