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The role of ecohydraulics in addressing the freshwater biodiversity crisis

Abstract

Ecohydraulics is a scholarly discipline and community of practice that represents the intersection of ecology and hydraulics/fluid dynamics. Although understanding the intersection of ecology and hydraulics is of fundamental interest, it is also highly relevant to the management and conservation of freshwater life and ecosystems, and consistent with calls for more integrative thinking. Here we provide an overview of the ways in which ecohydraulics has the potential to contribute to supporting the protection and recovery of freshwater biodiversity. For example, ecohydraulics can be used to identify environmental flows that benefit aquatic life while enabling hydroelectric generation. In the context of invasive species, ecohydraulics can be used to identify trapping designs that select invasive species whereas for reducing exploitation, it can be used to inform selective fishing gear designs. In terms of water quality management, ecohydraulics can inform the design of stormwater infrastructure that supports freshwater life. Habitat restoration can be guided by integrating morphodynamics and the habitat needs of species of interest or to ensure that aggregate water extraction is done in a manner and at sites that do not degrade freshwater ecosystems. Ecohydraulics also informs the maintenance or re-establishment of river connectivity through design of fish passage facilities. In summary, ecohydraulics has much to offer in the support of efforts to maintain and restore freshwater biodiversity. Doing so will require continued investment in fundamental and mission-oriented science, but also an emphasis on equipping practitioners with knowledge to implement actions that benefit freshwater biodiversity and people.

Category

Academic article

Language

English

Author(s)

  • Steven J. Cooke
  • Luiz G.M. Silva
  • Atle Harby
  • Jianghui Bao
  • Eva C. Enders
  • Isabel Boavida
  • Ming Duan
  • Jennifer Drake
  • Colin Rennie
  • Daniel P. Zielinski
  • G. Mathias Kondolf
  • Morgan L. Piczak
  • Brittany Bard
  • Mette Bendixen
  • André St-Hilaire

Affiliation

  • SINTEF Energy Research / Energisystemer
  • University of Lisbon (ULisboa)
  • ETH Zurich
  • Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • Dalhousie University
  • Carleton University
  • University of Ottawa
  • National Institute of Scientific Research, University of Quebec
  • McGill University
  • USA
  • University of California, Berkeley

Year

2025

Published in

Water Biology and Security

View this publication at Norwegian Research Information Repository