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Links between the flow of rivers and diversity of fish species

There is increasing concern about the global decline of biodiversity. In particular, changes in the flow of rivers due to climate change and increasing water consumption affect freshwater biodiversity including fish species richness (FSR).

However, due to limited ecological data and immaturity of flow indices, the link between the flow of rivers and FSR on a global scale is unclear.

Here, Chihiro Yoshimura and his colleagues in Department of Civil Engineering have developed empirical models to relate FSR to several flow indices and other parameters of rivers on a global scale.

Flow regime of rivers was assessed by ecologically important indices and then statistically linked to FSR data using a generalized linear model, which enables scenario analysis for the future.

The results of the model have provided the first empirical indication that specific low and high flow characteristics of rivers may be important in explaining variations in basin-scale FSR.

These findings may be useful in identifying high-risk basins in terms of the conservation of fish species diversity. In ongoing work, other factors, for example dams and fish traits, are being incorporated into the FSR model.