Rheoreaction impacts dispersal of fish larvae in restored rivers

• DOI: 10.1002/rra.3630
• Publication Date: 2020-04-15T12:15:28Z
• Authors: Martin Glas; Michael Tritthart; Hubert Keckeis; Aaron Lechner; Marcel Liedermann; Helmut Habersack
• Keywords: Restoration Ecology

Abstract Connectivity of nurseries and spawning habitats for young the year life stage is essential successful recruitment fish populations therefore provides a key indicator river restoration measures. Models dispersal offer potential to draw conclusions regarding scenarios fill knowledge gaps about possible implications populations. A newly developed rheoreaction‐based correlated random walk model (RCRW), in combination with three‐dimensional numerical non‐steady‐state particle tracing model, was applied nase carp larvae ( Chondrostoma nasus ) before after project on Danube, Austria. Spatio‐temporal patterns virtual larvae, attached rheoreactive behaviour, were analysed within both scenarios. In comparison heavily modified reach, restored reach enabled greater amount upstream movement from release site showed generally higher variability spatio‐temporal distribution patterns. contrast, estimated total settlement substantially situation prior measure. By comparing results previously field experiment it found that simulations including rheoreaction as single behaviour navigation could not explain whole pattern larval dispersal. Therefore highly recommended future studies develop models by considering other factors (i.e., bio‐energetics environmental factors) existing individual‐based models, which serve tool analyse effect measures riverine