The Response of the Spawning of the Four Major Chinese Carps to the Flow Re-Operation of the Three Gorges Reservoir in the Yangtze River, China

Abstract:

The flow regime is a critical factor in the sustained ecological integrity of flowing water systems. The Yangtze River is the most important river in China. The Three Gorges Reservoir greatly changed the flow regime of the Yangtze River, resulting in effects on fish populations, particularly those of the four major Chinese carp (FMCC): black carp, grass carp, silver carp, and bighead carp. Spawning has dramatically decreased since the Three Gorges Reservoir was established in 2003.. Flow re-operation which raising duration time over 3 days and daily discharge change over 1000 m³/s/d were executed in 2012 for 2 times, This study investigated the impacts of flow regulation and re-operation on fish spawning, particularly for the FMCC, and validated the environmental factors that promote spawning of the FMCC. A significant difference in FMCC egg density was observed among five floods, and the FMCC mean egg density after the re-operation was nearly four times that of the regulation flood. A difference in community composition was observed between re-operation and regulation, indicating that the re-operation schedule was sufficient to change the egg community composition. The egg community was significantly correlated with water transparency, change in daily water discharge, and change in daily water level. The better regulation schedule we suggest was the mean daily discharge increase was approximately great than 2000 m³·s^-1·d^-1 but less than 3050 m³·s^-1·d^-1, and daily water level increase greater than 0.46 m·d^-1.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 1065-1069)
• Pages: 3223-3234
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.1065-1069.3223
• Online since: December 2014
• Authors: Qi Hong Yang*, Qiang Wei, Ye Qiao, Lin Zhang, Jia Sheng Wang, Juan Dai, Kong Xian Zhu, Ling Yun Li
• Keywords: Flow Regime, Four Major Chinese Carp, Re-Operation, Three Gorges Reservoir

References

[1] Petts G.E.: Journal of the American Water Resources Association, Vol. 45(5) (2009), P. 1071–1076.

[2] Whiting, P.J. Annu. Rev. : Earth Pl. Sc. Vol. 30, (2002), P. l8l–20611.

[3] Tomlinson, M.S., de Carlo, E.H.: Journ. Am. Water Resour. Assoc. Vol. 39 (2003), P. 113–1123.

[4] Poff, N.L., J.D. Allan, M. B. Bain,: BioScience Vol. 47(1997), P. 769-784.

[5] Postel, S., and B. Richter, in: Rivers for life: managing water for people and nature. Island Press, Washington, D.C., USA. (2003).

[6] Richter, B.D., Sparks, R. E., and Stromberg, J. C.: Bioscience, Vol. 47(1997), P. 769-784.

[7] Ritcher B. D, Baumgartner J. V, Powell J, Braun D.P.: Conserv Biol. Vol. 10(1996), P. 1163–74.

[8] Assani, A. A., Quessy, J. F., Mesfioui, M.: Advances in Water Resources, Vol. 33(2010), P. 537-545.

[9] Assani AA, Gravel E, Buffin-Bélanger T. : Vol. 18(2005), P. 103–27.

[10] Klotz JR, Swanson S., in: Symposium proceedings: water resources education, training, and practice: opportunities for the next century. edtied by Warwick J, American Water Resources Association, Universities Council on Water Resources, American Water Works Association; 29 Jun–3 Jul; Keystone, CO (2010).

DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1999.tb03605.x

[11] Rood S. B, Mahoney J. M, and Reid DE et al.: Canadian Journal of Botany Vol. 73(2005), P. 1250–1260.

[12] [USCOE] US Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District. Reconnaissance report, report, review of existing project: Alamo Lake, Arizona (1996).

[13] Cao, WX, Yu, ZT, and Xu, YX, in: The Transaction of the Influence of Three Gorges Project on Ecology and Environment and Countermeasures. Science Pro, Beijing, P. 2–20 (1987). (in Chinese).

[14] Yi, BL, Yu, ZT, Liang, ZS, et al., in: Gezhouba Water Control Project and Four Famous Fishes in the Yangtze River. Edited by Yi, B., Yu, Z., Liang, Z., Hubei Science and Technology Press, Wuhan, China, P. 1–46(1988) (In Chinese).

[15] Yangtze Fishery Resources Commission Office (YFRCO), The Three Gorges Project Ecology and Environment Monitoring System, and Technology Report of Fish Resources and Environment Monitoring (1996–2003)(2004) (in Chinese).

[16] Liu JK, Cao WX : Resources and Environment in the Yangtze Basin Vol. 1(1992), P. 17–23.

[17] Verigin, B.V., Makeyeva, A.P., Zaki Mokhamed, M.I., J. Ichthyol. Vol. 18(1979), P. 143–146.

[18] Zhang GH, Chang JB, Shu GF: International Journal General System Vol. 29(1998),P. 419-428.

[19] Yi PL, Yu, ZT, Liang, ZS: Ge zhouba Dam and the Yangtze Four Major Chinese Carps. Hubei Technology Publishing Company, Wuhan. P. 116. (1988) (in Chinese).

[20] Yi PL, Liang ZS: Acta Hydrobiologica Sinca Vol. 5 (1964), P. 1–15 (in Chinese).

[21] Wang JN, LI C, DUAN XB, et al:. Journal of hydraulic engineering, Vol. 43 (2012) : P. 860-868. (in Chinese).

[22] Duan XB, Chen DQ, Li ZH, Wang, et al. : Journal of Fisheries Science in China, VOL. 15 (2008), P. 523–532 (in Chinese).

[23] Li Ch, Peng J, Liao WG: Journal of China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research Vol. 6(2006): P. 170-176(in Chinese).

[24] Yi Y., Wang Z., Yang Z.:J.: Hydrol. Vol. 387(2010),P. 283–291.

[25] Li MZ, Gao X., Yang S. : Zoological science, Vol. 30(2013), P. 296-303.

[26] Zhang XM, Huang D., Xie WX: Journal of Hydroecology, Vol. 2(2012),P. 126-129 (in Chinese).

[27] Kocovsky, P. M., Chapman, D. C., McKenna, J. E.: Journal of Great Lakes Research, Vol. 38(2012),P. 159-166.

[28] Dong ZR, Zhang J: Journal of Hydraulic engineering. VOL. 40(2009),P. 281-288. (in Chinese).

[29] Dong ZR: Engineering Science. Vol. 8(2006),P. 5-10(in Chinese).

[30] Cao W X, Chang J B , Qiao Y , Duan ZH. : Fish resources of early life history stages in Yangtze River. China Water Power Press, Beijing(2007) (in Chinese).

[31] Junk, W.J., Bayley, P.B., Sparks, R.E.: in: Flood pulse concept in river–floodplain systems. Proceedings of the International Large River Symposium (ed. by D.P. Dodge), p.110–127. Special Publication of the Journal of Canadian Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 106(1989).

[32] Bunn, S.E. and Arthington, A.H.: Environmental Management, Vol. 30(2002), P. 492–507.

[33] Southwood, T.R.E.: Journal of Animal Ecology, Vol. 46(1977), P. 337–365.

[34] Frissell, C.A., Liss, W.J., Warren, C.F.: Environmental Management, Vol. 10(1986), P. 199–214.

[35] Lytle, D.A., Poff, N.L.: Trends in Ecology and Evolution, Vol. 19 (2004),P. 94–100.