The study demonstrates that reservoir operations significantly reduce suitable spawning habitats for phytophilic spawners, suggesting ecological regulations may be needed.
Key Points
Reservoir drawdown regimes reduce high suitability incubation areas by 39.5%, compressing viable spawning microhabitats.
Water use allowance (WUA) decreases by 34.3%, indicating a loss of functional habitat for fish reproduction.
The study develops a process-based habitat model that integrates hydraulic parameters and a water level fluctuation index.
Altered hydrological conditions create mismatches for embryonic development stages, disproportionately affecting species with specialized oviposition.