Characteristics of the Cross-Sectional Vorticity of the Natural Spawning Grounds of Schizothorax prenanti and a Vague-Set Similarity Model for Ecological Restoration

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136724
• Publication Date: 2015-08-28T18:48:37Z
• Authors: Ming-Yang Liu; Ling-Lei Zhang; Jia Li; Yong Li; Nan Li; Ming-Qian Chen
• Keywords: Male; 0106 biological sciences; China; Science; Reproduction; Q; R; Cyprinidae; 15. Life on land; Models, Biological; 01 natural sciences; 6. Clean water; Medicine; Animals; Female; 14. Life underwater; Ecosystem; Research Article

Schizothorax prenanti is an endemic fish in the mountain rivers of southwestern China with unique protection value. To further explore vortex motion hydraulic habitats, which closely related to breeding process, cross-sectional vorticity was used evaluate conditions natural spawning habitat S. prenanti. A coupled level-set and volume-of-fluid (CLSVOF) three-dimensional (3D) model applied simulate Weimen reach, a typical ground for upper Yangtze River. The conjunction Wilcoxon rank sum test distinguish distributions vertical non-spawning reaches. Statistical analysis revealed that reaches significantly greater than reaches, likely biological significance process. range mean values 0.17 s-1–0.35 s-1 areas concentrated sperm eggs; minimum value s-1, majority were 0.26 s-1. Based on this study, vague-set similarity assess effectiveness ecological restoration by evaluating reach rehabilitated after implementing measures. outcome might provide theoretical basis recovery damaged grounds act as important complement assessment useful reference coordination water use demands hydropower engineering.