The Ecological and Conservation Status of The Guadalquivir River Basin (s Spain) Through The Application Of A Fish-based Multimetric Index

Ramos-Merchante, Adrián; Prenda, José

doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2017.08.034

Cited by 16 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…A combination of habitat alteration (river fragmentation, pollution and channel modifications) and overfishing have led to this decline (Fernández‐Pasquier, 1999; Mateus et al, 2012). The ecological status of the basin in the current period makes the recovery of any of these species virtually impossible (Ramos‐Merchante & Prenda, 2018). At present, about 9,193 hm 3 of river flow is retained in 29 large reservoirs (>100 hm 3 ) and more than 140 smaller ones (<100 hm 3 ) (Confederación Hidrográfica del Guadalquivir, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Biotic integrity, originally considered an elusive legislative concept by its main promoters (Karr et al, 1986), refers to the biological condition displayed by aquatic ecosystems in which ‘composition, structure, and function have not been adversely affected by human activities’ (Karr et al, 1986; Moore, Covington & Fulé, 1999). The most common assessment of biotic integrity is conducted through the well‐known and widely used multimetric Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) (Simon & Lyons, 1995; Aparicio et al, 2011; Hermoso & Clavero, 2013; Ramos‐Merchante & Prenda, 2018). One of the main contributions of this approach relies upon the relative condition of the ecosystem being evaluated with respect to a theoretical ‘pristine’ status, or ‘reference condition’ (RCs), free from human disturbance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…fishes), has followed at least three general approaches: (i) predictions from empirical models; (ii) data from sites with minimal impacts; and (iii) historical data. However, some studies have raised questions about considering reference sites with the lowest level of impacts as ‘natural’ conditions that arguably no longer exist within contemporary landscapes (Hobbs et al, 2006; Aparicio et al, 2011; Dallas, 2013; Labay et al, 2015; Ramos‐Merchante & Prenda, 2018). Studies of bioassessment rely on benchmarks using pristine conditions (Karr, 1981), which are becoming increasingly difficult to find in today’s world, particularly in rapidly changing environments such as the Mediterranean (Geri, Amici & Rocchini, 2010; Aparicio et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Guadalquivir Basin in the Mediterranean area is one of the most highly transformed major river systems in the Iberian Peninsula, particularly since 1900, with the commencement of widespread damming (Granado‐Lorencio, 1991; Clavero, Blanco‐Garrido & Prenda, 2004; Prenda et al, 2006). Furthermore, the Guadalquivir drainage network has been greatly affected by recent industrialized agricultural practices (‘super‐intensive’ olive groves, in particular) and by the manifold consequences of a dense human population inhabiting a semi‐arid land (Ramos‐Merchante & Prenda, 2018). However, as the damage that has been caused by human disturbances is not irreversible, the WFD assumes that the removal of these causes would mean a return to previous conditions (Bouleau & Pont, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Historical distribution of freshwater fishes and the reference conditions concept in a large Mediterranean basin

Ramos-Merchante

Sáez-Gómez

Prenda

2021

Aquatic Conservation

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The European Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) defines the ecological status of aquatic systems as the deviation between their present biological state and that which would be expected in the absence of any major human disturbance, referred to by the WFD as the ‘reference condition’ (RC). It assumes that their biotic composition should remain balanced and constant over time. This study tested both assumptions against an analysis of the historical distribution of the fish fauna in a large and highly disturbed Mediterranean basin. If fish communities change substantially over time, it will mean that the validity of the RC concept comes into question. Using presence/absence data for historical native fish fauna from the Guadalquivir Basin, distribution changes among sub‐basins were quantified by mapping between the nineteenth century and today. The range of two native species (Anguilla anguilla and Salmo trutta) has changed significantly. In addition, the diadromous species assemblage has almost become locally extinct, with the exception of the eel. Finally, most Guadalquivir sub‐basins (94.7%) have suffered major changes in the composition of their fish communities, either by losing native species or by adding new non‐native species. These results render the definition of any RC unlikely. In Mediterranean areas, the WFD objective of ‘good ecological status’ recovery based on the integrity of aquatic communities is a theoretical rather than a real goal. Nonetheless, the WFD provides an ecological guiding principle that can also be transferred to the conservation of freshwater ecosystems. As an alternative to the RC concept in Mediterranean lotic ecosystems, specific multimetric indices can be used, based on expert criteria, the metrics of which can also relate to the conservation value of water bodies, and not only to their ecological status.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Historical distribution of freshwater fishes and the reference conditions concept in a large Mediterranean basin

Ramos-Merchante

Sáez-Gómez

Prenda

2021

Aquatic Conservation

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“…The number of sites categorized under the fair (C; 20-26) was 73, which constituted 48.99% of the total study sites in whole Geum River watershed. Nevertheless, 52 sites obtained the poor (P) grade with mmIBI 08 model score range(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)) and constituted 34.89%. In total, 83.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological Health Assessments of Lotic Waters by Biotic Integrity Indices and their Relations to Water Chemistry

Atique

Lim

Yoon

et al. 2019

Water

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Biological health assessment (BHA) has developed as an imperative gauge in efficient management of freshwater resources and fish assemblages. The principal objective of this research is directed at the development and application of a new index under the umbrella of the famous index of biological integrity (IBI). Further, we intended to carry out comparative assessments of the new index with two existing indices and testified to their rational in Geum River watershed, which is the third largest river water basin in South Korea. We analyzed the biotic integrity of 149 different study sites in the streams and rivers of Geum River watershed, perusing fish assemblages and water quality data. The results revealed the newer index, i.e., multi-metric (mm) IBI 06 (mmIBI 06 metrics), as comparatively more efficient than previously used indices, i.e., mmIBI 08 and mmIBI 11. Furthermore, the linear regression and correlational analyses indicated harmonic relation of mmIBI 06 with mmIBI 08 (R2 = 0.85) and mmIBI 11 (R2 = 0.87). Nonetheless, linear regression modeling discovered a very strong positive relation between mmIBI 08 and mmIBI 11 (R2 = 0.91), thereby implying previously used indices demonstrate better approximation. In significant contrast to both old indices, the newer index exhibited improved facility to better classify the study sites between the assortments of ‘excellent to very poor’ compared to old indices elucidated one-step lower, i.e., from ‘excellent to poor’. For instance, the newer index categorized 60 sites as ‘very poor’, requiring immediate attention owing to biological degradation. Additionally, the newer index endures grander ability to indicate sites requiring immediate management or restoration attention with a plausible site classification, especially in relation to the invasive alien species (IAS). The water chemistry was mainly influenced by rampant anthropogenic actions compounded by intensive monsoon precipitation that may relinquish highly suitable grounds for invasive alien fish species. This may eventually lead to severe biological degradation and successive deterioration of habitat by the IAS. In conclusion, the newer index endures ample capacity to indicate the fish community disturbances in rivers and streams. Further, correlation, linear regression, as well as principal component analysis (PCA) analyses on biotic indices and water chemistry showed higher approximations. Therefore, our newer index would be a valuable BHA tool to classify and elucidate the streams and rivers by indicating sites necessitating preferred attention and restoration measures.

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A fish‐based multi‐metric assessment index in the Karun River basin, Iran

Zare-Shahraki

Dorche

Keivany

et al. 2022

River Research & Apps

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Large river systems are one of the most important water resources for human societies. However, the ecological integrity of large rivers has been altered greatly by human activities. To monitor and manage these ecosystems, multimetric indices (MMI) are considered as efficient tools. This study aimed to develop and validate a fish‐based multimetric index for the Karun River basin, Iran (Karun fish‐based multi‐metric index [KFMMI]). Eighteen rivers and 54 sites in the basin were sampled in July–August 2019, and physico‐chemical and habitat characteristics were used to identify reference sites based on principal components analysis (PCA). Of the 54 sites, 14, 26, and 14 sites were classified as least, moderate, and most disturbed sites, respectively. Fifty‐four candidate metrics were evaluated for range, responsiveness, and redundancy with other metrics. This resulted in the identification of eight metrics (relative abundance of native and endemic taxa, relative richness of migratory taxa, relative richness of Leuciscidae taxa, relative richness of herbivorous taxa, relative abundance of cyprinid taxa, relative richness of vegetative inhabitant taxa, relative abundance of slow water flow, and relative richness of edge inhabitant taxa) that informed on species richness and composition, migratory status, functional feeding groups, and habitat preferences. The KFMMI showed excellent performance in separating least, moderate, and most disturbed sites in our study area. Regarding water quality, the KFMMI was classified 16, 5, and 29 sites as good, moderate, and bad, respectively. The discrimination efficiency of KFMMI was 81.6%, which makes it an effective management tool for directing restoration actions at most disturbed sites and intensifying protection of least disturbed sites.

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The Ecological and Conservation Status of The Guadalquivir River Basin (s Spain) Through The Application Of A Fish-based Multimetric Index

Cited by 16 publications

References 64 publications

Historical distribution of freshwater fishes and the reference conditions concept in a large Mediterranean basin

Historical distribution of freshwater fishes and the reference conditions concept in a large Mediterranean basin

Biological Health Assessments of Lotic Waters by Biotic Integrity Indices and their Relations to Water Chemistry

A fish‐based multi‐metric assessment index in the Karun River basin, Iran

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