Provision of environmental flows promotes spawning of a nationally threatened diadromous fish
W. M. Koster A C , F. Amtstaetter A , D. R. Dawson A , P. Reich A and J. R. Morrongiello B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, 123 Brown Street, Heidelberg, Vic. 3084, Australia.
B School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: wayne.koster@delwp.vic.gov.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 68(1) 159-166 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF15398
Submitted: 21 October 2015 Accepted: 15 December 2015 Published: 9 March 2016
Abstract
Detailed understanding of flow-ecology requirements for aquatic biota underpins the use of environmental flows as an effective restoration tool in regulated rivers. However, flow recommendations are often overly simplistic and insufficient to provide the necessary environmental requirements for these biota. This is often due to failure to gain and integrate information on individual species ecology and, by using coarse generalisations, about flow-ecology responses. To inform more effective delivery of environmental flows, we investigated spawning responses of the threatened Australian grayling (Prototroctes maraena) to environmental flows over 2 years in three coastal rivers. Spawning activity was highest during within-channel flow pulses, especially during periods of environmental flow delivery. Peak spawning occurred in late autumn and was positively related to flow duration. This result has important implications for environmental flows management in regions where water is scarce and there is potential conflict among multiple users because, for Australian grayling, it is not necessarily the volume of water released that is important, but how the flow is delivered. Our study demonstrated the importance of quantifying flow-ecology relationships via targeted monitoring and research so as to develop appropriate flow regimes, and should encourage managers to examine more critically the logic behind generalised environmental flow objectives.
Additional keywords: Australian grayling, flow regulation, Prototroctes, water allocation.
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