THE NEED FOR FISHWAYS FOR NON-RECREATIONAL FISH: EVIDENCE OF DAMMING EFFECTS ON NATIVE RESIDENT CHILEAN SPECIES
EVELYN HABIT1
KONRAD GÓRSKI2
GUSTAVO DÍAZ1
OSCAR LINK3
PEDRO ARRIAGADA4
FRANCISCA VALENZUELA1
DANIEL RUZZANTE5
BÁRBARA TOLEDO1
RESUMEN
Riverine ecosystems are hierarchical dynamic networks, influenced by strong directional connectivity that integrates processes across multiple scales and broad distances through time. This network provides suitable ecological corridors for individuals to disperse and often dictates the availability of microhabitats for species to exploit. The loss of physical connectivity is presumed to be one of the most generalized and important human-induced alterations in riverine ecosystems. In Chile, Andean rivers of central Chile represents the area of the highest concentration of hydropower plants, roads, and agriculture in the country. 1000 new small to medium dams are expected to be built in the near future, and this development will occur in rivers inhabited by small-bodied native fish (non-sport fish sensu) with a high level of endemism. To assess fragmentation status and its implications on native fish population as well as communities, we performed several studies utilizing different approaches that are detailed below.
1 Dept. Aquatic Systems, Faculty of Environmental Science, Universidad de Concepción Barrio Universitario s/n, Concepción, Chile
2 Dept. of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción Alonso de Ribera 2850, Concepción, Chile
3 Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de Concepción Barrio Universitario s/n, Concepción, Chile
4 Dept. Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Environmental Science, Universidad de Concepción Barrio Universitario s/n, Concepción, Chile
5 Dept. of Biology, University of Dalhousie Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
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