Estimating Environmental Preferences of Freshwater Pelagic Fish Using Hydroacoustics and Satellite Remote Sensing

Abstract

In this study, a remote sensing-based method of mapping and predicting fish spatial distribution in inland waters is developed. A combination of Earth Observation data, in-situ measurements, and hydroacoustics is used to relate fish biomass distribution and water-quality parameters along the longitudinal transect of theŘímov Reservoir (Czech Republic) using statistical and machine learning techniques. Parameter variations and biomass distribution are estimated and validated, and apparent trends are explored and discussed, together with potential limitations and weaknesses. Water-quality parameters exhibit longitudinal gradients along the reservoir, while calculations reveal a distinct fish assemblage pattern observed as a patchy overall biomass distribution. Although the proposed methodology has a great potential for sustainable water management, careful planning is needed to ensure the simultaneous acquisition of remote sensing and in-situ data to maximize calibration accuracy.

Environmental Monitoring of the Littoral Zone of Lake Baikal Using a Network of Automatic Hydro-Meteorological Stations: Development and Trial Run

“…Combining data and analysis protocols, as well as overall open access, will offer a fresh perspective on the processes occurring in the coastal zone of Lake Baikal. Subsequently, we plan to monitor new parameters characterizing the dynamics of biogeocenosis, such as environmental DNA (eDNA) [50] or a network of acoustic radars that can automatically track stocks of commercial fish species [24,51].…”

“…Programs for the ecological monitoring of the main tributaries of Lake Baikal [21,22] and of the Angara/Yenisei river system [23], the only run-off of Lake Baikal, are also being developed. New, promising directions that allow for a significant expansion of the spatial scale of environmental monitoring are satellite monitoring [24][25][26] and sampling devices based on aerial drones [27,28] or automatic unmanned surface vehicles [29].…”

Which Fish Benefit from the Combined Influence of Eutrophication and Warming in the Dnipro River (Ukraine)?

“…Fish are divided into pelagic, benthopelagic, and demersal according to their preferred habitat (H) [60]. The pelagic (pel) species live and feed in the pelagic (free water) zone [61]. The benthopelagic (ben) species live and feed near the bottom as well as midwaters or near the water surface [51,62].…”

Assessing the Fish Stock Status in Lake Trichonis: A Hydroacoustic Approach

“…In this context and considering the proposed WFD goals, there is a strong demand for standardized, reliable, reproducible and non-invasive methods for routine monitoring programs. Satellite-based Earth Observation data provide safe and cost-effective approaches for the systematic monitoring of water bodies [6] and fish environmental preferences but fail when it comes to the direct detection of fish [7]. On the other hand, hydroacoustic methods have been applied in all kinds of aquatic ecosystems in order to acquire detailed information about aquatic fauna, and especially about fish [8].…”