Abstract Biodiversity monitoring via environmental DNA, particularly metabarcoding, is evolving into a powerful assessment tool for riverine systems. However, metabarcoding to be fully integrated standardized programmes, some current challenges concerning sampling design, laboratory workflow, and data analysis need overcome. Here, we review of these major potential solutions. We further illustrate three pitfalls, namely the choice suitable primers, necessity complete reference databases,...

With the globally increasing awareness regarding interconnectivity between freshwater ecosystems, projects for re-establishing connectivity with fishways as well stock management are increasing. To ensure quality and impact of such extending scientific state knowledge on this topic, a detailed monitoring these measures is mandatory. Automatic, passive, contactless counting devices can play major role in long-term projects, both animal protection (non-invasive methods) technical issues...

Understanding the spatial distribution of freshwater fish in heterogeneous aquatic environments is crucial for understanding riverine ecosystems and rational use biological resources. This study investigates patterns juvenile lower reaches Irtysh River, including hydrodynamic conditions during different water level regimes. With hydroacoustic surveys, we assessed density two wintering riverbed depressions spring flood summer low period. The main aggregations consisted Cyprinidae Percidae,...

Sublacustrine spring activity in karstic lakes, including variations discharge rates and patterns, has been shown previous studies to correlate with both climate change local neotectonic activity. This study aims at better understanding the influence of interplay between karst groundwater dynamics environmental drivers on sediment deposits small groundwater-fed lake Hintersteiner See (lake surface = 56.6 ha, max. depth 39.78 m), located foothills mountain massif Wilder Kaiser Northern...

Over the past two centuries, river regulation practices in Europe have significantly altered systems through straightening, channelization and bedload retention. These modifications, coupled with implementation of transverse structures such as hydropower facilities, adversely affected riverine ecosystems, floodplains sediment dynamics. River widening projects aim to address these challenges by creating more space for rivers, thereby improving health natural systems. In Tyrol, Austria,...

Lakes account for 3% of the Earth's surface and they constitute important habitats manifold biota [1]. In 19th century at Walden pond (Massachusetts, USA) research field limnology developed, which is nowadays dealing with physical, chemical biotic aspects in all kind freshwaters [2,3]. While past pollution was a main driver lake ecosystems [4], rising water temperatures negatively affect Alpine lakes throughout world [5]. Thus, we selected two mountainous Alps as well Altai Mountains -...

Abstract The headwaters of the Volga River exhibit large reaches with near‐pristine conditions, and therefore long‐term biodiversity monitoring this catchment can provide rare valuable information on a European lowland river. More specifically, freshwater fish species assemblages are good indicator ecosystem status, as they particularly sensitive to environmental changes hydromorphological alterations. Historical records show that fauna Upper has changed over time, both in composition...

The species composition of a community is driven by the dispersal capacity forming that and their ecological niche. While niches EPTs (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera Trichoptera) are well-studied due to wide use as indicators for status freshwater ecosystems, has not yet been accurately characterized. Dispersion merolimnic EPT during terrestrial aerial adult stage special importance because distance dispersed active flight or passive wind drift usually much larger compared dispersion aquatic...

Abstract Research on hydropeaking in Austria started the 1990s and implementation of WFD stipulated large research projects since year 2009. The first supported process understanding a second investigation step, measures were evaluated. mountains region Tyrol create heads thus support production flexible energy. In this region, TIWAG is operating 9 (>10 MW) 27 small (<10 hydropower plants, with an installed capacity about 1,550 MW mean annual 3,000 GWh. As governmental energy strategy...

The lateral line system provides fish with advanced mechanoreception over a wide range of flow conditions. Inspired by the abilities their biological counterparts, artificial lines have been developed and tested exclusively under laboratory settings. Motivated lack measurements taken in field which consider fluid-body interactions, we built fish-shaped probe. device is outfitted 11 high-speed (2.5 kHz) time-synchronized pressure transducers, designed to capture classify flows passage...

Hydroelectric power facilities can generate episodic total dissolved gas supersaturation (TDGS), which is harmful to aquatic life. We developed a decision tree-based risk assessment identify the potential for TDGS at hydropower plants and conducted validation measurements selected facilities. Applying model Norway's (n = 1696) identified 473 (28 %) high-risk characterized by secondary intakes Francis or Kaplan turbines, are prone generating when air entrained. More than half of them...

During the industrialization in Europe, rivers were straightened and designed to fit human activities, thus nowadays only a few natural river systems remain as reference conditions well guiding principles for restoration projects. Therefore, state of some types is often described using historic records maps. This study aims analyze key characteristics pristine proglacial Katun Altai mountains contribute knowledge about conditions. For this purpose, hydromorphological like slope, sinuosity...

Abstract The Volga is the longest river in Europe and 16th world. riverine landscape of exceptional scientific economic importance to Russia; basin contains approximately 40% Russian population relates 45% country's industrial agricultural produce. River drains an area 1.4 million km 2 , covering various biomes from taiga semidesert. Anthropogenic impacts 20th century include pollution as well hydropower production navigation purposes, incurring a cost for its historically important...

<p>The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) became a major tool in water policy. All the member states had to develop River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs). Austria’s first National Resource Plan was published 2009 and describes measures be set. Depending on catchment size, ecological targets were defined body level, reached by 2015, 2021 or 2027. A priority goal is re-establishment of river continuity. Therefore Austrian Federal Ministry Agriculture, Forestry, Environment...

The spatial distribution of fish upstream a vertical trash rack was investigated at the hydropower plant Kirchbichl in alpine River Inn (Tyrol, Austria). objective research project “FIDET” to establish non-invasive methodology study presence and flow characteristics large hydro power sites. A new monitoring approach developed combining hydroacoustic observations locations with multivariate hydrodynamic data. This accomplished by utilizing complementary from multiple underwater sensor...

Anthropogenic stressors have altered the hydromorphological characteristics of rivers worldwide. Environmental guiding principles are essential for planning sustainable river restoration measures. The alpine Biya, located in Russian Altai mountains, originates from Lake Teletskoye and joins Katun near Biysk, forming Ob. Biya represents a reference system anthropogenically ‘least-disturbed’ condition. presented study aimed to assess river’s undisturbed morphology relationship with geological...