How long-term water level changes influence the spatial distribution of fish and other functional groups in a large shallow lake
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Kuupäev
2020
Kättesaadavus
Ajakirja pealkiri
Ajakirja ISSN
Köite pealkiri
Kirjastaja
Elsevier
Abstrakt
We numerically explored the effects of long-term water level changes on biotic biomass and spatial distribution of fish in a large shallow lake. We calibrated Ecospace model (Ecopath with Ecosim modelling
suite) with data from various functional groups (ranging from phytoplankton to piscivorous fish), and
considered 14 different habitats. Two scenarios representing, respectively, a long-term water-level
increase and decrease by 1 m were constructed and run for a period of thirty eight years (1979–2016).
The results showed a very uneven spatial distribution of fish biomass in the lake, with the highest con-
centration in the southern basin. The 1 m decrease scenario caused a diminution in the biomass of all
groups but piscivorous fish. The 1 m increase scenario saw a weak decrease in most species biomass.
Consequently, in both scenarios, long-term water level changes would be generally detrimental to the
lake biota. In the context of more frequent climate-induced hydrological fluctuations, we encourage
the use of these simulations as effective tools for future prediction and assessment of ecosystem-based
fisheries management and ecological status maintenance of shallow lakes.
This research was supported by Estonian Research Council grant PSG32 to FC and UB, by Environmental Investment Center project-T180209PKKH, by IUT 21-2 of the Estonian Ministry of Education and by European Union Regional Development Fund program DoRa+ and ASTRA.
This research was supported by Estonian Research Council grant PSG32 to FC and UB, by Environmental Investment Center project-T180209PKKH, by IUT 21-2 of the Estonian Ministry of Education and by European Union Regional Development Fund program DoRa+ and ASTRA.
Kirjeldus
Märksõnad
ecospace, ecosystem modelling, fishery, fish habitat, Ecopath with Ecosim, macrophytes, articles
