Riveal

RIVEAL: Influence of River Regulation and Instream Habitat on Invertebrate Assemblage Structure and Function

The RIVEAL project aims to study the influence of river regulation and instream habitat on the structure and function of invertebrate assemblages. In a recent publication titled "Influence of river regulation and instream habitat on invertebrate assemblage structure and function", the authors investigated the alterations in macroinvertebrate communities in two Portuguese rivers impaired by dams.

The study focused on the taxonomic structure and trait composition of macroinvertebrate assemblages in regulated and unregulated flow sites, as well as different mesohabitats within the rivers. The researchers found distinct differences in both taxonomic structure and trait composition between regulated and unregulated flow sites. Additionally, the differences were more pronounced when comparing different mesohabitats.

The study revealed that the effect of flow regulation was mainly observed in run-type mesohabitats, impacting both taxonomic and trait composition of macroinvertebrate assemblages. This finding highlights the importance of considering run-type mesohabitats in ecological quality assessments of rivers impacted by dams. The detection of key traits further improves the accuracy and reliability of these assessments.

The publication provides valuable insights into the ecological consequences of river regulation and the importance of instream habitat for freshwater biodiversity. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the impacts of dams on river ecosystems and can inform management and conservation strategies.

For more detailed information, you can download the paper here.

About RIVEAL

RIVEAL is a research project that focuses on understanding the influence of river regulation and instream habitat on invertebrate assemblages. The project aims to assess the structural and functional alterations in macroinvertebrate communities in rivers impacted by dams.

Key Findings

The study conducted under the RIVEAL project revealed the following key findings:

• Distinct taxonomic structure and trait composition of macroinvertebrate assemblages between regulated and unregulated flow sites.
• Differences in taxonomic structure and trait composition were more pronounced when comparing different mesohabitats.
• The effect of flow regulation was primarily observed in run-type mesohabitats.
• Sampling approaches focused on run mesohabitats and the detection of key traits can improve the accuracy of ecological quality assessments in rivers impacted by dams.

Implications

The findings of the RIVEAL project have important implications for the management and conservation of rivers impacted by dams. Understanding the ecological consequences of river regulation and the importance of instream habitat can inform decision-making processes and aid in the development of effective strategies to mitigate the impacts on freshwater biodiversity.

Conclusion

The RIVEAL project contributes valuable insights into the influence of river regulation and instream habitat on invertebrate assemblages. The study emphasizes the need to consider run-type mesohabitats and key traits in ecological quality assessments of rivers impacted by dams. This knowledge can support sustainable management and conservation efforts to preserve freshwater biodiversity.