Evaluating the effectiveness of restoring longitudinal connectivity for stream fish communities: towards a more holistic approach

A more holistic approach towards testing longitudinal connectivity restoration is needed in order to establish that intended ecological functions of such restoration are achieved. We illustrate the use of a multi-method scheme to evaluate the effectiveness of ‘nature-like’ connectivity restoration for stream fish communities in the River Deerness, NE England. Electric-fishing, capture-mark-recapture, PIT telemetry and radio-telemetry were used to measure fish community composition, dispersal, fishway efficiency and upstream migration respectively. For measuring passage and dispersal, our rationale was to evaluate a wide size range of strong swimmers (exemplified by brown trout Salmo trutta) and weak swimmers (exemplified by bullhead Cottus perifretum) in situ in the stream ecosystem. Radio-tracking of adult trout during the spawning migration showed that passage efficiency at each of five connectivity-restored sites was 81.3–100%. Unaltered (experimental control) structures on the migration route had a bottle-neck effect on upstream migration, especially during low flows. However, even during low flows, displaced PIT tagged juvenile trout (total n = 153) exhibited a passage efficiency of 70.1–93.1% at two nature-like passes. In mark-recapture experiments juvenile brown trout and bullhead tagged (total n = 5303) succeeded in dispersing upstream more often at most structures following obstacle modification, but not at the two control sites, based on a Laplace kernel modelling approach of observed dispersal distance and barrier traverses. Medium-term post-restoration data (2–3 years) showed that the fish assemblage remained similar at five of six connectivity-restored sites and two control sites, but at one connectivity-restored headwater site previously inhabited by trout only, three native non-salmonid species colonized. We conclude that stream habitat reconnection should support free movement of a wide range of species and life stages, wherever retention of such obstacles is not needed to manage non-native invasive species. Evaluation of the effectiveness of fish community restoration in degraded streams benefits from a similarly holistic approach

Adaptive management in the context of barriers in European freshwater ecosystems

Many natural habitats have been modified to accommodate for the presence of humans and their needs. Infrastructures – such as hydroelectric dams, weirs, culverts and bridges – are now a common occurrence in streams and rivers across the world. As a result, freshwater ecosystems have been altered extensively, affecting both biological and geomorphological components of the habitats. Many fish species rely on these freshwater ecosystems to complete their lifecycles, and the presence of barriers has been shown to reduce their ability to migrate and sustain healthy populations. In the long run, barriers may have severe repercussions on population densities and dynamics of aquatic animal species. There is currently an urgent need to address these issues with adequate conservation approaches. Adaptive management provides a relevant approach to managing barriers in freshwater ecosystems as it addresses the uncertainties of dealing with natural systems, and accommodates for future unexpected events, though this approach may not be suitable in all instances. A literature search on this subject yielded virtually no output. Hence, we propose a step-by-step guide for implementing adaptive management, which could be used to manage freshwater barriers

Modelling fine scale route choice of upstream migrating fish as they approach an instream structure

This study used pattern-oriented modelling (POM) to investigate the space use and behavioural response of upstream migrating European river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) to the two-dimensional hydrodynamic conditions created by an instream structure (triangular profile gauging weir). Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) and acoustic telemetry were used to map the spatial-temporal distribution patterns of lamprey as they migrated upstream. Acoustic Doppler velocimetry and computer modelling were used to quantify the hydrodynamic environment. In adherence with the POM methodology, multiple movement models, incorporating increasingly complex environmental feedback mechanisms and behavioural rules were created and systematically assessed to identify which factors might reproduce the observed patterns. The best model was a spatially explicit Eulerian-Lagrangian Individual Based Model (IBM) that included two simple behaviours: 1) tortuous non-directed swimming when in low flow velocity (< 0.1 m s−1) and 2) persistent directed (against the flow) swimming in moderate to high flow velocity (≥ 0.1 m s−1). The POM indicated that flow heterogeneity was an important influence of lamprey space use and that simple behavioural rules (i.e. two separate movement behaviours in response to flow velocity) were sufficient to reproduce the main movement pattern observed: avoidance of flow recirculating regions near the banks. The combination of field telemetry, hydrodynamic modelling and POM provided a useful framework for systematically identifying the key factors (hydrodynamic and behavioural) that governed the space use of the target species and would likely work well for investigating similar relationships in other aquatic species

The use of barriers to limit the spread of aquatic invasive animal species: a global review

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are one of the principal threats to freshwater biodiversity. Exclusion barriers are increasingly being used as a management strategy to control the spread of AIS. However, exclusion barriers can also impact native organisms and their effectiveness is likely to be context dependent. We conducted a quantitative literature review to evaluate the use of barriers to control animal AIS in freshwater ecosystems worldwide. The quantitative aspect of the review was supplemented by case studies that describe some of the challenges, successes, and opportunities for the use of the use of AIS exclusion barriers globally. Barriers have been used since the 1950s to control the spread of AIS, but effort has been increasing since 2005 (80% of studies) and an increasingly diverse range of AIS taxa are now targeted in a wide range of habitat types. The global use of AIS barriers has been concentrated in North America (74% of studies), Australasia (11%), and Europe (10%). Physical barriers (e.g., weirs, exclusion screens, and velocity barriers) have been most widely used (47%), followed by electric (27%) and chemical barriers (12%). Fish were the most targeted taxa (86%), followed by crustaceans (10%), molluscs (3%) and amphibians (1%). Most studies have been moderately successful in limiting the passage of AIS, with 86% of the barriers tested deterring >70% of individuals. However, only 25% of studies evaluated barrier impacts on native species, and development of selective passage is still in its infancy. Most studies have been too short (47% < 1 year, 87% < 5 years) to detect ecological impacts or have failed to use robust before-after-control-impact (BACI) study designs (only 5%). Hence, more effective monitoring is required to assess the long-term effectiveness of exclusion barriers as an AIS management tool. Our global case studies highlight the pressing need for AIS control in many ecoregions, and exclusion barriers have the potential to become an effective tool in some situations. However, the design and operation of exclusion barriers must be refined to deliver selective passage of native fauna, and exclusion barriers should only be used sparingly as part of a wider integrated management strategy

Assessment of predatory ability of native and non-native freshwater gammaridean species: A rapid test with water fleas as prey

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Author response to: Resection margin status in pancreatic cancer surgery: is it really less important than the N status?

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Fish community and abundance response to improved connectivity and more natural hydromorphology in a post-industrial subcatchment

Barrier removal and fish pass construction are increasingly used as tools to restore river connectivity and improve habitat quality, but the effectiveness of subcatchment-scale connectivity restoration on recovery of fish communities is poorly understood. We used a before-after-downstream-upstream methodology to determine the effects of subcatchment-scale connectivity restoration on fishes in a fragmented tributary of the River Wear, Northeast England, between 2013 and 2019. Following restoration (three barriers removed, five barriers fitted with fish passes, two barriers unaltered), riffle habitat increased, fine sediment decreased, and most fish species benefitted. Total fish abundance, comprising seven native species, increased 3 years after the restoration and remained elevated to the end of the study. Mean brown trout (Salmo trutta) density increased from 20.9 ± 6.3 to 33.8 ± 16.8 per 100m2 from 2013 to 2019, with Young-of-Year trout increasing from 10.6 ± 4.6 to 19.8 ± 11.8 per 100m2. Connectivity restoration reduced the mean age of trout, suggesting a change to an increased migratory component of the population. Density of bullhead (Cottus perifretum), a species with poor dispersal ability, increased from 4.6 ± 2.7 to 32.6 ± 17.9 per 100m2 over 2013 to 2019. Stone loach (Barbatula barbatula), also a less mobile species but tolerant to fine sediment, decreased in abundance where barriers were removed. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were absent over the study timescale, despite being common in the Wear, and despite suitable habitat and water quality in the restored subcatchment, suggesting a hysteresis effect. Our findings indicate that, where good water quality exists, restoring river connectivity and hydromorphology at a subcatchment scale is beneficial for most native resident and migratory fishes. However, the ecological benefits of connectivity restoration, especially in rivers with many barriers, may take several years to develop. We encourage well-controlled long-term studies reporting the outcomes of large-scale connectivity restoration

Enhancing the upstream passage of river lamprey at a microhydropower installation using horizontally-mounted studded tiles

Passage performance of upstream-migrating lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) was compared between sections of a Crump flow-gauging weir with and without studded tiles, and at a bottom-baffle fishway, on the River Derwent, England. The effects of microhydropower operation on attraction to multiple routes were also studied. Studded tiles were fixed horizontally on the weir face near the right bank, forming a 1 m wide treatment route, neighboured by a tileless control route. A bottom-baffle fishway was present at the right bank, alongside the hydropower tailrace. Two further weir-face control routes at the left bank, in combination with those on the right side, enabled comparison of lamprey attraction relative to the weir flow. Downstream and upstream ends of the right-hand weir-face routes, and of the fishway, downstream ends of the left-hand weir face routes, and the entrance of the hydropower tailrace area were instrumented with PIT antennas (n = 9 total). Of 395 PIT-tagged lamprey, released 0.52 rkm downstream of the weir on 10 separate dates in early winter 2017 (turbine on for 21/43 days of study period), 363 (91.9%) were detected by at least one of the antennas (median [IQR] minimum delay at weir: 15.0 [7.4–21.4] days). All lamprey detected at the left-bank antennas (attraction efficiency AE: 255/395 [64.6%]) were also detected elsewhere. The fishway was ineffective (AE: 343/395 [86.8%]; passage efficiency PE: 5/343 [1.5%]). While lamprey were more attracted towards the control relative to the adjacent tiled route, a higher number of fish traversed the weir using the latter (AE tiled route: 172/395 [43.5%]; PE tiled route: 44/172 [25.6%]; AE control route: 257/395 [65.1%]; PE control route: 22/257 [8.6%]). Lamprey were attracted towards the right half of the channel when the turbine was running, as only n = 88/4190 (2.1% of total attempts) detections were made at the two left-bank control antennas in the turbine-on condition, compared to 2775/13,029 (21.3%) at the same two antennas when the turbine was off. While improved passage efficiency was achieved using surface-mounted studded tiles, further in situ evaluations are needed to optimize their performance

Investigating the phenology of seaward migration of juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta) in two European populations

Recent evidence supports the existence of a downstream autumn-migratory phenotype in juvenile anadromous brown trout (Salmo trutta), however the precise timing, extent and ecological significance of such behaviour remains ambiguous. We investigated the phenology of downstream migration of wild juvenile trout using passive integrated transponder (PIT) telemetry over an eight-month period in two European rivers; the River Deerness, north-east England, and the River Villestrup, Denmark. The incidence of autumn–winter seaward migration was greater in the Deerness than the Villestrup, with at least 46% of migrating juveniles detected prior to spring smoltification in the Deerness. Timing of migration was strongly regulated by factors associated with river discharge in both systems. While autumn and spring downstream migrants did not differ in size at the time of tagging in either system, evidence that spring migrants were of better condition, travelled faster (autumn: 11.0 km day−1; spring: 24.3 km day−1) and were more likely to leave the Deerness suggests that autumn and spring migrant conspecifics respond to different behavioural motivations. Further investigation into the sex of autumn migrant juveniles, as well as the temporal and geographical variability in the incidence and fitness consequences of autumn emigration by juvenile trout would be beneficial

Evaluating the effectiveness of a Larinier super active baffle fish pass for European river lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis before and after modification with wall-mounted studded tiles

To help achieve effective longitudinal river connectivity, evaluation of the efficacy of fishway use by upstream-migrating fishes is needed. Larinier super active baffle (SAB) fishways are relatively cheap retrofit fish passes, suitable for low-head barriers, widespread in Europe and the most commonly fitted technical pass in Britain. Their suitability for non-salmonids, however, is poorly quantified. The efficacy of a 15% gradient SAB fishway and effects of flow regime and water temperature were tested for European river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) using passive integrated transponder (PIT) and acoustic telemetry at a Crump weir on the River Derwent, Northeast England. In migration season 2013–14, over a wide range of flows, 90.1% of 350 tagged lamprey entered the fishway. One fish (0.3%) of those that entered the pass ascended successfully, even though measured water velocity was within laboratory-measured performance conditions for this species. Of 29 acoustic-tagged lamprey that visited the weir over the same period, four (13.8%) ascended it directly, during elevated flows. These data suggest that high turbulence and/or the physical characteristics of baffles may inhibit lamprey ascent of the pass. In migration season 2014–15, we tested the effect of adding studded modular plastic tiles adjacent to the fishway wall, employing PIT antennas separately interrogating the entrance and exit of each of the main fishway and tile routes. 85.8% (169) of 197 tagged lamprey entered the fishway, of which 72/169 (42.6%) entered the tile entrance. Passage efficiency of entrants was 7.1% (12/169), all of which used the tiled route. Reduced local flow velocity in combination with increased availability of resting habitat within the tiles may have facilitated increased passage. Although fishway passage efficiency increased after placement of the modular tiles, it remained half that measured for direct weir passage, both of which are inadequate for connectivity restoration. Quantitative tests of studded tiles placed on the sloping downstream weir face by comparison to control conditions may be more effective and are needed. This study demonstrates the importance of carrying out full-scale field tests to supplement possible solutions developed under laboratory conditions