Ecological predictors of the endangered Spirlin (Alburnoides bipunctatus)

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2024.102726
• Publication Date: 2024-07-16T00:38:53Z
• Authors: Lidia Marszał; Carl Smith
• Keywords: Habitat Fragmentation; River ecosystem

The distribution of aquatic species results from the complex interplay biotic and abiotic variables, anthropogenic impacts, scale effects. Using a large-scale fish monitoring survey, we fitted spatially-explicit Bayesian model to compare series priori models for predicting occurrence Spirlin (Alburnoides bipunctatus), small freshwater cyprinid conservation concern. best-fitting identified an important effect river basin, flow disruption, number other taxa as predictors. Among major basins, sampling locations in Vistula Basin were most likely support Spirlin, possible outcome postglacial colonisation events less habitat change. negative association between comprising engineering schemes regulation, fragmentation caused by obstacles such dams, changes due water abstraction, reflected Spirlin's requirements relatively pristine ecological conditions, including heterogeneity access coarse substrates spawning. Similarly, positive richness demonstrates this with habitats high integrity. These findings implicate regime predictors integrity lend proposition that can function indicator maintenance health across Europe. Model predictions also point towards removal measures disrupt flow, combined restoration benthic substrate, approaches mitigate declines populations