Strategic methodology to set priorities for sustainable hydropower development in a biodiversity hotspot

Laborde, A.; Habit, Evelyn; Link, Oscar; Kemp, Paul S.

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136735

Cited by 13 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 48 publications

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“…refs. 44 – 47 ). The mentioned global biodiversity impacts assessments are however either limited by species coverage or by the spatial detail included.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Controlling biodiversity impacts of future global hydropower reservoirs by strategic site selection

Dorber

Arvesen

Gernaat

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

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Further reservoir-based hydropower development can contribute to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs) on affordable and clean energy, and climate action. However, hydropower reservoir operation can lead to biodiversity impacts, thus interfering with the SDGs on clean water and life on land. We combine a high-resolution, location-specific, technical assessment with newly developed life cycle impact assessment models, to assess potential biodiversity impacts of possible future hydropower reservoirs, resulting from land occupation, water consumption and methane emissions. We show that careful selection of hydropower reservoirs has a large potential to limit biodiversity impacts, as for example, 0.3% of the global hydropower potential accounts for 25% of the terrestrial biodiversity impact. Local variations, e.g. species richness, are the dominant explanatory factors of the variance in the quantified biodiversity impact and not the mere amount of water consumed, or land occupied per kWh. The biodiversity impacts are mainly caused by land occupation and water consumption, with methane emissions being much less important. Further, we indicate a trade-off risk between terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity impacts, as due to the weak correlation between terrestrial and aquatic impacts, reservoirs with small aquatic biodiversity impacts tend to have larger terrestrial impacts and vice versa.

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“…refs. 44 – 47 ). The mentioned global biodiversity impacts assessments are however either limited by species coverage or by the spatial detail included.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Controlling biodiversity impacts of future global hydropower reservoirs by strategic site selection

Dorber

Arvesen

Gernaat

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Geomorphic river classifications based on different methods coincide in predicting fish assemblage structure

Bañales‐Seguel,

Górski,

Zurita

et al. 2024

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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River classification is a necessary starting point for understanding river ecosystems and developing management guidelines. Using GIS to analyse an Andean river basin, we compare the application of two geomorphic classification methods at the segment scale: The Geomorphic Units Survey Classification System (GUS) and the Functional Process Zones (FPZ). Segment definition follows a manual procedure in GUS and a semi‐automated procedure in FPZ. Our objective was to assess the relationship between geomorphology and fish assemblages' structure. Fish sampling was carried out in collaboration with participants from local indigenous Mapuche‐Pewenche communities. Non‐parametric multivariate statistical analyses were conducted in order to quantify and describe geomorphic patterns and whether fish assemblages responded consistently with river classifications. Both classifications give insight into the physical characteristics of rivers, such as slope and floodplain width, that make habitat available for different fish assemblages. The two methods provide results that consistently coincide in their identification of geographic distribution and main geomorphic variables of different river types (geomorphic types) throughout the river network. The variation of different river geomorphologies was associated with variation in fish assemblage structure. Geomorphic variables that best characterize the distribution pattern of fish assemblages were elevation, confinement and valley floor width. Confined rivers accommodated highly similar fish assemblages dominated by invasive trout (Salmo trutta and Oncorhynchus mykiss). Unconfined rivers located at higher elevations had greater temporal variability and were mainly composed of trout and native catfish Trichomycterus areolatus. Semiconfined rivers presented the highest geomorphic variability and were associated with high spatial and temporal variability of fish assemblages characterized by both native and non‐native species. The association between fish assemblages and fluvial geomorphology could help in prioritizing rivers for exotic fish species control. These findings should aid in restoring highly intervened Andean rivers and improving management techniques in basins with a variety of human activities.

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An Expert System for the Priorities Formation in Sustainable Development Fundamental Research

Зубков

Mamai

Проничкин

et al. 2023

Software Engineering Application in Systems Design

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Strategic methodology to set priorities for sustainable hydropower development in a biodiversity hotspot

Cited by 13 publications

References 48 publications

Controlling biodiversity impacts of future global hydropower reservoirs by strategic site selection

Controlling biodiversity impacts of future global hydropower reservoirs by strategic site selection

Geomorphic river classifications based on different methods coincide in predicting fish assemblage structure

An Expert System for the Priorities Formation in Sustainable Development Fundamental Research

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