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Review of Effects of Dam Construction on the Ecosystems of River Estuary and Nearby Marine Areas

Author

Listed:
  • Xuan Zhang

    (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China)

  • Changling Fang

    (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China)

  • Yuan Wang

    (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China)

  • Xiaoyi Lou

    (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China)

  • Ying Su

    (College of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China)

  • Dongmei Huang

    (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China)

Abstract

Dams have made great contributions to human society, facilitating flood control, power generation, shipping, agriculture, and industry. However, the construction of dams greatly impacts downstream ecological environments and nearby marine areas. The present manuscript presents a comprehensive review of the influence of human activities on the environment, especially the effect of dam construction on the ecosystems of river estuaries and nearby marine areas, so as to provide a scientific basis for ecological environment protection. To summarize these impacts, this review used recent studies to comprehensively analyze how dam construction has affected river hydrology, geomorphology, and downstream ecosystems globally. Effects of dams on ecosystems occur through reduced river flow, reduced sediment flux, altered water temperature, changed estuary delta, altered composition and distribution of nutrients, altered structure and distribution of phytoplankton populations, habitat fragmentation, and blocked migration routes in river sections and adjacent seas. Effects of dam construction (especially the Three Gorges Dam) on the Yangtze River were also reviewed. Performing community and mitigation planning before dam construction, exploring new reservoir management strategies (including targeted control of dam storage and flushing sediment operations), banning fishing activities, and removing unnecessary dams (obsolete or small dams) are becoming crucial tools for ecosystem restoration.

Suggested Citation

  • Xuan Zhang & Changling Fang & Yuan Wang & Xiaoyi Lou & Ying Su & Dongmei Huang, 2022. "Review of Effects of Dam Construction on the Ecosystems of River Estuary and Nearby Marine Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:10:p:5974-:d:815739
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Iglesias, I. & Bio, A. & Bastos, L. & Avilez-Valente, P., 2021. "Estuarine hydrodynamic patterns and hydrokinetic energy production: The Douro estuary case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Maksymilian Połomski & Mirosław Wiatkowski, 2023. "Impounding Reservoirs, Benefits and Risks: A Review of Environmental and Technical Aspects of Construction and Operation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-23, November.
    2. Pan Hu & Lan Feng, 2023. "The Risk of Water Quality Deterioration with Urban Flood Control—A Case in Wuxi," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Aurelian Cosmin Moldovan & Tomi Alexandrel Hrăniciuc & Valer Micle & Nicolae Marcoie, 2023. "Research on the Sustainable Development of the Bistrita Ardeleana River in Order to Stop the Erosion of the Riverbanks and the Thalweg," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-22, April.

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    Keywords

    dam; river estuary; ecosystem; effect;
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