珠江口滩涂围垦对大型底栖动物群落的影响

为了解海岸滩涂围垦对沿海生态系统的影响,采用大型底栖动物群落来进行影响评价.对珠江口伶仃洋西海岸的6个自然滩涂和5个围垦滩涂的大型底栖动物进行比较研究,采用4种生物指数、聚类分析(CLA)及非度量多维测度排序(NMS)对其进行群落特征分析.结果显示:自然滩涂底栖动物种类数平均7.5种,栖息密度386.63 ind m-2,生物量15.593 6 g m-2,均普遍高于围垦滩涂.滩涂围垦可造成滩涂生境改变,从而导致底栖动物群落结构简单,生物组成单一,群落相似性较低.因此必须科学制定围垦方式并进行围垦后生态保护,在满足用地需求和生境保护之间取得平衡.图5表3参24     

Comparison of macroinvertebrate community structure in urban (Shenzhen City) streams with typical habitat characteristics北大核心CSCD

2020年12月在深圳市城市区域典型生境特征溪流——城市山区源头溪流金龟河、国家地质公园保护区入海溪流杨梅坑河与黑臭水体治理后溪流石溪河,开展底栖动物多样性与生境质量状况取样,通过多元统计分析探明各溪流底栖动物群落结构差异及其主要环境影响因子.结果表明:(1)金龟河底质异质性(SI)最高;杨梅坑河水质最好且流态异质性(Fr)最优,石溪河水质最差且底质异质性(Fr)最低.(2)共采集鉴定大型底栖动物118个分类单元,隶属于3门6纲14目87科.水生昆虫均占绝对优势,其中金龟河67属(81.7%),杨梅坑河62属(95.4%),石溪河12属(52.2%).金龟河中底栖动物Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、改进的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Pielou均匀度均高于杨梅坑河与石溪河.(3)金龟河的主要功能摄食类群是滤食者(45.5%),杨梅坑河(38.3%)与石溪河(58.7%)的主要功能摄食类群均为收集者.(4)冗余分析(RDA)结果显示,氨氮、海拔、湿宽、水温、溶氧、底质异质性(SI)、电导率和流态异质性(Fr)为影响深圳市溪流的大型底栖动物群落结构的主要环境因子.研究表明:(1)深圳市的山区溪流可作为深圳市生物多样性保护的重点区域.(2)在城市溪流生态系统中,水环境化学因子并非为主要影响因子,生境多样性发挥了重要作用.(图6表3参43)     

常州地区太湖流域上游水系大型底栖无脊椎动物群落结构特征及其与环境的关系

2003年8月采用半定量采样法调查了常州地区太湖流域上游南河、运南、运北和洮滆水系29个样点的大型底栖无脊椎动物群落多样性,共获得113种大型底栖无脊椎动物,其中,腹足纲18种,瓣鳃纲10种,寡毛纲8种,蛭纲4种,甲壳纲6种,昆虫纲67种.优势种为霍甫水丝蚓(Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri)和梨形环棱螺(Bellamya purificata).该群落平均密度为658 m-2,其中,霍甫水丝蚓密度最高,达400 m-2.观山桥样点大型底栖无脊椎动物群落多样性最高,群落物种数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、均匀度和生态优势度分别为54,4.36,0.76和0.08.综合分析结果表明,群落多样性从高到低排序依次为南河水系、洮滆水系、运南水系、运北水系.出现频率在15%以上的24个物种与6种环境因子之间的典范对应分析(CCA)结果显示,总氮、总磷和溶解氧对该地区大型底栖无脊椎动物群落多样性的影响较大.     

长江下游南京段至河口近岸带底栖动物分布格局及影响因素

长江南京段至河口近岸带底栖动物组成特征是了解长江下游干流生物分布格局和影响机制的重要参考. 2017年4月对长江干流南京段至河口6个江段43个样点的水体理化因子、栖息地和底栖动物开展了调查,共采集和鉴定底栖动物3门7纲17目35科63种.优势类群是节肢动物和软体动物,优势物种是水丝蚓Limnodrilus sp.,发现原分布于河口区域的圆锯齿吻沙蚕Dentinephtys glabra已成为南京段至河口的最常见多毛纲物种.镇江段物种丰富度和香农多样性均为最高,分别为31和1.71,其次为江阴段,长江北支的物种丰富度和香农多样性最低,分别为12和0.90.典范对应分析(CCA)表明水污染、适宜生境的退化或消失以及航运是长江下游干流南京至河口段底栖动物群落组成变化的主要影响因子.因此,长江下游干流底栖动物分布格局明显受人类活动的影响,水污染控制和生境修复等措施有利于底栖动物多样性的保护恢复.(图4表2参40附表2)     

海丰鸟类自然保护区大型底栖动物群落特征

于2006年夏季在海丰鸟类自然保护区内进行了大型底栖动物群落的研究.通过9个样点的样方取样,分析了保护区内大型底栖动物群落的种类、物种多样性和生物量.主要研究结果如下:(1) 保护区内共录得大型底栖动物6门10纲112种,其中热带、亚热带分布的种类62种,温带、广温种46种,外来种4种;淡水生物22种,非淡水生物90种.(2) 各样点生物量(以鲜重表示)在1.31346.05 g×m-2范围内,栖息密度为161136 ind.×m-2,不同生境之间的差异极显著.(3) 生境多样化、人为干扰小的样点a多样性较高,生境单一、人为干扰强烈的样点a多样性则较低.(4) 保护区内的大型底栖动物群落差异较大,这是由不同生境的盐度差异造成的.聚类分析把该区的大型底栖动物群落划分为淡水、河口、滨海3个生物群落,非度量多维标度排序更直观地显示了各个样点大型底栖动物群落距离和相似的情况,并支持聚类分析的结果.讨论了保护区内大型底栖动物群落水平分布的特点及产生差异的原因.     

乳山湾外海夏季大型底栖动物分布与环境因子的典范对应分析

应用典范对应分析(Canonical correspondence analysis,CCA)研究了乳山湾外海21个样点中的32种大型底栖动物与包括化学耗氧量、溶解氧等在内的11个沉积物和底层水体环境因子间的相关关系.作出种类分布与环境因子关系的二维排序图,排序图直观地反映了主要大型底栖动物种类分布与环境因子间的关系.排序图中环境因子与前两个排序轴的相关系数大小表明,总氮、溶解氧、盐度、pH、水深和总磷是影响乳山湾外海大型底栖动物群落分布的主导因素.排序图还揭示了大型底栖动物物种对生态环境的需求以及它们在不同资源维上的生态分化现象,不同生境中大型底栖动物分布的种类不同.根据对环境因子的生态需求不同,32种大型底栖动物可分为6组:组Ⅰ,8种,分布在高总氮生境;组Ⅱ,4种,分布在高溶解氧、高盐度、低总氮生境;组Ⅲ,10种,分布在水浅、高pH生境;组Ⅳ,4种,分布在水深、低pH生境;组Ⅴ,仅1种,分布在高总磷生境;组Ⅵ,5种,分布在水深、低总磷生境.图2表5参29     

基于大型底栖动物完整性指数(B-IBI)的密云水库上游河流(北京段)水生态健康评价

密云水库上游流域水生态健康对保障密云水库水安全具有至关重要的作用。为系统评价密云水库上游河流生态系统健康状况,2019年对该流域河流大型底栖动物进行调查,共布设采样点39个,采集到底栖动物128种,包括节肢动物门106种、软体动物门16种、环节动物门5种、扁形动物门1种。从耐污值上看,敏感类群占比为23.1%,耐污类群占比为0.9%。从类群出现频率看,出现频率居前3位的底栖动物分别为蜉蝣属(Ephemera)、短脉纹石蛾属(Cheumatopsyche)、角石蛾属(Stenopsyche),其出现频率分别为82%、79%和74%,3者均为清洁类指示生物。以大型底栖动物为指示生物,对44个候选生物指标进行分布范围分析、判别能力分析和相关性分析,由总分类单元数、优势分类单元个体数占比、蜉蝣目个体数占比、水生昆虫分类单元个体数占比、敏感类群个体数占比5个指标构建密云水库上游流域B-IBI指标体系。采用四分制法统一各参数量纲,以参照点B-IBI值分布的25%分位值作为河流生态系统完整性的评价标准。评价结果表明,23%的样点处于健康等级,33%的样点处于亚健康等级,33%的样点处于一般等级,8%...     

广西防城江流域河流的B-IBI评价

根据2016年广西防城江流域干流及支流18个采样点(6个参照点,12个受损点)底栖动物采样数据,对18个生物参数进行分布范围、判别能力和Pearson相关性分析,最终确定防城江流域底栖动物完整性指数(B-IBI)由总物种数、蜉蝣目,襀翅目和毛翅目三目的种类数(Ephemeroptera,Plecoptera and Trichoptera,EPT)、粘食者种类数、蜉蝣目数量所占百分比、敏感类群数量所占百分比等5个指数组成.采用比值法统一各入选生物参数量纲,计算其B-IBI值和底栖动物完整性指标赋分值(BIBr).结果表明,在18个采样点中,BIBr分值在90分以上的样点有9个,80分~90分之间的样点有2个,70分~80分之间和60分~70分之间的样点各有1个,未达到60分的样点有5个.BIBr分值80分以上的样点主要分布在支流(如那东、边岭、黄霜江、那周村、屯蓬、王子城)和干流上游少数几个样点(如扶隆乡、那阮坪、米中),而下游接近河口部分的几个采样断面均较低,木头滩断面的分值更在10分以下.     

河北昌黎海域大型底栖动物群落特征及青岛文昌鱼资源现状

于2017年春季(5月)和夏季(8月)对河北昌黎黄金海岸国家级自然保护区海域大型底栖动物群落特征及青岛文昌鱼(Branchiostoma belcheri tsingtauense)资源现状进行调查。结果表明,春夏两季分别鉴定出大型底栖动物56和50种,种类组成皆以环节动物为主;大型底栖动物平均栖息密度为87.11 m~(-2),平均生物量为11.13 g·m~(-2);青岛文昌鱼平均栖息密度为31.36 m~(-2),平均生物量为1.44 g·m~(-2),体长为0.50～4.45 cm,Ⅱ、Ⅲ龄青岛文昌鱼占优势地位,体重为0.3～109.4 mg,优势体重组为20～40和0～20 mg,昌黎海域青岛文昌鱼个体偏小,与历史资料对比发现,青岛文昌鱼资源量正在逐年减少。春夏两季大型底栖动物多样性指数变化趋势相似,Shannon-Wiener多样性指数平均值显示该海域大型底栖动物生境一般;采用Bray-Curtis相似性系数聚类分析和多维排列尺度(MDS)分析相结合的方法研究春夏季大型底栖动物群落结构,结果表明春季可分为5个群组,夏季可分为2个群组,群组组成差异较大。     

钨尾矿重金属污染对茶园土壤动物群落结构及多样性的影响

土壤动物对土壤理化环境变化响应十分敏感,土壤动物群落结构及多样性可以用于指示钨尾矿区土壤重金属污染程度。以钨尾矿下游区不同污染程度的茶园生境为研究对象,采用样方法系统调查了3个生境土壤动物群落的组成、结构、多样性及环境变化特征,利用NMDS、ANOSIM等比较不同生境土壤动物群落的相似性,运用RDA排序结合重金属污染指数分析土壤动物群落结构与土壤环境因子的关系。结果表明:未污染茶园土壤动物的个体数量、类群数、物种丰富度和多样性指数均显著高于污染茶园I和Ⅱ,而污染茶园Ⅱ土壤动物个体数、类群数和物种丰富度又显著高于污染茶园I;未污染茶园土壤动物均匀度指数显著高于污染茶园Ⅱ。土壤有机质是影响土壤动物分布的主要环境因子(51.42%),其次是全氮(贡献率9.08%)、全磷(贡献率11.21%)、速效磷和全钾(贡献率9.61%),它们均与土壤动物个体数和类群呈正相关。进一步分析发现,Ni、Cd、As和Cu等重金属是茶园的主要污染因子,它们显著降低了茶园Ⅰ和茶园Ⅱ土壤有机质(63.8%和58.5%)、全氮(61.7%和65%)和速效磷(55.9%和8.8%)含量,Ni、Cd和As是抑制茶园土壤动物群落分布的主要毒性因子,其解释率分别为46.55%、14.14%、9.83%。重金属污染降低了茶园土壤养分可利用性,重金属污染指数抑制土壤动物的类群和个体数量增长,土壤动物群落的丰富度指数、多样性指数和优势度指数随重金属污染程度的加重而降低。     

Tissue nutrient concentrations in aquatic macrophytes: comparison across biophysical zones,surface water habitats and plant life forms

Aquatic plant tissue (nitrogen) N and phosphorus (P) concentrations, together with the N:P ratio in general, respond poorly to ambient nutrient supply. The variability in plant tissue nutrient concentrations appears to be highly conditioned by taxonomic (mostly species) effects. The significant role that other attributes of the surrounding environment may have in modifying the degree of taxonomic dependence on plant nutrient concentration is yet to be tested with a broader characterisation of plant life forms (bryophytes, helophytes, hydrophytes), so as to investigate implications for ecosystem processes. Plant samples (378) were collected across 65 sites spanning a wide range of aquatic habitats (lotic and lentic) and biophysical zones (floodplain, glacial terraces, mountains) located in NE Scotland. Significant differences in plant tissues N, P and the N:P were found after grouping sampling sites by either habitat or biophysical zones; the latter even after removing the largest taxonomic effect. The range in plant tissue N and P was relatively wide within habitats and zones, reflecting the high species diversity of the studied area. As a group, bryophytes had smaller N and P concentrations, and consequently wider biomass C:N and C:P ratios, a situation which may impose constraints on the flow of energy through food-webs of the mountain and bog areas where they dominate.     

Using algal biomass-phosphorus (P) relationships and nutrient limitation theory to evaluate the adequacy of P water quality criteria for regulated monsoon rivers and reservoirs

Different P criteria have been set for lotic and lentic waters where the latter had stricter criteria than the former. The binary P criteria have been developed due to differences in limnological features and this helps avoid unneeded costs with stricter criteria for flowing waters that normally have lower potential of algal blooms. However, if different criteria are warranted, the responses of Chl a to TP and TN:TP ratio should vary distinctively between rivers and reservoirs. Contrary to these predictions, inconsistent and statistically indistinguishable variations have been observed between the two types of waterbody in Chl a yield per unit TP. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the strength of relationship between Chl a and TN:TP ratio between waterbody types, although the mass ratio of TN to TP was significantly higher in reservoirs than in rivers. Hence, the data suggest that there is no scientifically defensible reason that lotic and lentic waters require different TP standards and specifically that lentic waters do not necessarily require stricter P criteria. A more holistic and nuanced approach would aid in developing revised or new TP criteria in which water quality issues can be addressed scientifically as well as pragmatically.     

Quantifying the impact of vegetation-based metrics on species persistence when choosing offsets for habitat destruction

Developers are often required by law to offset environmental impacts through targeted conservation actions. Most offset policies specify metrics for calculating offset requirements, usually by assessing vegetation condition. Despite widespread use, there is little evidence to support the effectiveness of vegetation-based metrics for ensuring biodiversity persistence. We compared long-term impacts of biodiversity offsetting based on area only; vegetation condition only; area × habitat suitability; and condition × habitat suitability in development and restoration simulations for the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. We simulated development and subsequent offsetting through restoration within a virtual landscape, linking simulations to population viability models for 3 species. Habitat gains did not ensure species persistence. No net loss was achieved when performance of offsetting was assessed in terms of amount of habitat restored, but not when outcomes were assessed in terms of persistence. Maintenance of persistence occurred more often when impacts were avoided, giving further support to better enforce the avoidance stage of the mitigation hierarchy. When development affected areas of high habitat quality for species, persistence could not be guaranteed. Therefore, species must be more explicitly accounted for in offsets, rather than just vegetation or habitat alone. Declines due to a failure to account directly for species population dynamics and connectivity overshadowed the benefits delivered by producing large areas of high-quality habitat. Our modeling framework showed that the benefits delivered by offsets are species specific and that simple vegetation-based metrics can give misguided impressions on how well biodiversity offsets achieve no net loss.     

Using Niche-Based Models to Improve the Sampling of Rare Species

Abstract:  Because data on rare species usually are sparse, it is important to have efficient ways to sample additional data. Traditional sampling approaches are of limited value for rare species because a very large proportion of randomly chosen sampling sites are unlikely to shelter the species. For these species, spatial predictions from niche-based distribution models can be used to stratify the sampling and increase sampling efficiency. New data sampled are then used to improve the initial model. Applying this approach repeatedly is an adaptive process that may allow increasing the number of new occurrences found. We illustrate the approach with a case study of a rare and endangered plant species in Switzerland and a simulation experiment. Our field survey confirmed that the method helps in the discovery of new populations of the target species in remote areas where the predicted habitat suitability is high. In our simulations the model-based approach provided a significant improvement (by a factor of 1.8 to 4 times, depending on the measure) over simple random sampling. In terms of cost this approach may save up to 70% of the time spent in the field.     

Post-war levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in air from Serbia determined by active and passive sampling methods

For the duration of the war accident in former Yugoslavia, several industrial and military targets were burnt and damaged, resulting in a significant release of persistent organic pollutants. Locations heavily targeted in the attacks were later defined by UNEP as four “hot spots”: Kragujevac, Novi Sad, Pancevo and Bor. We analyzed concentration levels of pollutants collected in 2004 and 2005 in air samples from the city of Kragujevac, Serbia, following the war accident of 1999. Pollutants included polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT), dichloro-diphenyl-dichloroethylene (DDE), dichloro-diphenyl-dichloroethane (DDD) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). We present results obtained during air sampling campaign conducted in July 2004 by the active sampling method; and during September 2004–June 2005 by the passive sampling method. Our findings show the occurrence of residual quantities of DDT, HCH, PCBs and PAHs in air samples. High levels of PCBs are probably due to the destruction of transformers during the war accident.     

Community structure and biotic integrity of aquatic plants along the North Canal in Beijing北大核心CSCD

Aquatic plants along the North Canal in Beijing were studied to identify the community structure of aquatic plants and vegetation index of biotic integrity (VIBI), and to provide scientific basis for the management and protection of urban rivers. Aquatic plants from 49 sampling sites along the North Canal were investigated during June 2015. Based on the field data, distributing range analysis, discriminatory power analysis, and correlation analysis were used stepwise to select core metrics from candidate metrics to establish the VIBI assessment system. The VIBI value of each sampling site was calculated as the average of the scaled values of all core metrics. Thirty-six aquatic plant species, including 14 hygrophytes, 13 emergent species, 6 submergent species, 2 floating-leaved species, and 1 floating species were collected. Species diversity was low in the North Canal, and no aquatic plants were recorded in 28 sampling sites, of which 9 sampling sites were dried up. Five sites were in excellent condition (VIBI > 0.60), 5 were good (0.60 > VIBI > 0.38), 7 were fair (0.38 > VIBI > 0.23), and 4 were poor (VIBI < 0.23). Based on the distribution of VIBI, Shahe River and Wenyu River upstream, and Fenghe River located in suburbs had a higher VIBI. Downstream tributaries, such as Qinghe River, Bahe River, and Liangshui River, had a lower VIBI. Correlation analysis showed that habitat quality, habitat complexity, and vegetation diversity along riparian zones were the important factors affecting VIBI along the North Canal, Beijing. Aquatic plants along the North Canal showed low species diversity owing to human disturbance. VIBI along tributaries with limited disturbance from human activities was higher; however, VIBI along tributaries disturbed by frequent human activities was lower. © 2018 Science Press. All rights reserved.     

The role of echinoderms as bioindicators of seawater pollution: A case study from patraicos and corinthiacos Gulf,N. Peloponnesus,Greece

To determine the role of echinoderms as bioindicators of seawater pollution we collected sea‐water and urchin samples from two sites in N. Peloponnesus, Greece. One site was in Patraicos gulf (Patras) and was influenced by point source pollution (urban sewage outfalls) while the second was in Korinthiacos gulf (Akoli) with no evident habitat pollution.

Three heavy metals (copper, nickel and zinc) have been measured in the gonads of two edible species of echinoderms, Arbacia lixula and Paracentrotus lividus.

Statistical treatment of the results showed statistically significant differences in bioaccu‐mulation related to the dry‐weight of gonads, to species, to sex of echinoderms, to season of sampling and to sampling station.

The concentrations of zinc were higher than those of Ni and Cu at in both sampling sites.

Microbiological analysis showed that contamination of the urchins was correlated to that of the surrounding seawater.

Finally both sampling sites seems to be influenced, directly or indirectly, by heavy metal and bacterial habitat pollution.     

Detecting Rare Species with Random or Subjective Sampling: a Case Study of Red-Listed Saproxylic Beetles in Boreal Sweden

Abstract:  Efficient sampling design in field studies is important for economical and statistical reasons. We compared two ways to distribute sampling effort over an area, either randomly or subjectively. We searched for red-listed saproxylic (wood-living) beetles in 30 spruce stands in boreal Sweden by sifting wood from dead trees. We randomly selected positions within each stand with a geographic positioning system and sampled the nearest dead tree (random sample). In the same stand we also sampled dead trees that, based on literature, were likely to host such species (subjective sampling). The subjective sampling (two to five samples per stand, depending on stand size) was compared with the higher, random sampling effort (fixed level of 12 samples/stand). Subjective sampling was significantly more efficient. Red-listed species were found in 36% of the subjective samples and in 16% of the random samples. Nevertheless, the larger random effort resulted in a comparable number of red-listed species per stand and in 13 detected species in total (vs. 12 species with subjective sampling). Random sampling was less efficient, but provided an unbiased alternative more suitable for statistical purposes, as needed in, for example, monitoring programs. Moreover, new species-specific knowledge can be gained through random searches.     

A novel statistical method for classifying habitat generalists and specialists

We develop a novel statistical approach for classifying generalists and specialists in two distinct habitats. Using a multinomial model based on estimated species relative abundance in two habitats, our method minimizes bias due to differences in sampling intensities between two habitat types as well as bias due to insufficient sampling within each habitat. The method permits a robust statistical classification of habitat specialists and generalists, without excluding rare species a priori. Based on a user-defined specialization threshold, the model classifies species into one of four groups: (1) generalist; (2) habitat A specialist; (3) habitat B specialist; and (4) too rare to classify with confidence. We illustrate our multinomial classification method using two contrasting data sets: (1) bird abundance in woodland and heath habitats in southeastern Australia and (2) tree abundance in second-growth (SG) and old-growth (OG) rain forests in the Caribbean lowlands of northeastern Costa Rica. We evaluate the multinomial model in detail for the tree data set. Our results for birds were highly concordant with a previous nonstatistical classification, but our method classified a higher fraction (57.7%) of bird species with statistical confidence. Based on a conservative specialization threshold and adjustment for multiple comparisons, 64.4% of tree species in the full sample were too rare to classify with confidence. Among the species classified, OG specialists constituted the largest class (40.6%), followed by generalist tree species (36.7%) and SG specialists (22.7%). The multinomial model was more sensitive than indicator value analysis or abundance-based phi coefficient indices in detecting habitat specialists and also detects generalists statistically. Classification of specialists and generalists based on rarefied subsamples was highly consistent with classification based on the full sample, even for sampling percentages as low as 20%. Major advantages of the new method are (1) its ability to distinguish habitat generalists (species with no significant habitat affinity) from species that are simply too rare to classify and (2) applicability to a single representative sample or a single pooled set of representative samples from each of two habitat types. The method as currently developed can be applied to no more than two habitats at a time.     

Restoring native fish assemblages to a regulated California stream using the natural flow regime concept

We examined the response of fishes to establishment of a new flow regime in lower Putah Creek, a regulated stream in California, U.S.A. The new flow regime was designed to mimic the seasonal timing of natural increases and decreases in stream flow. We monitored fish assemblages annually at six sample sites distributed over approximately 30 km of stream for eight years before and nine years after the new flow regime was implemented. Our purpose was to determine whether more natural stream flow patterns would reestablish native fishes and reduce the abundances of alien (nonnative) fishes. At the onset of our study, native fishes were constrained to habitat immediately (<1 km) below the diversion dam, and alien species were numerically dominant at all downstream sample sites. Following implementation of the new flow regime, native fishes regained dominance across more than 20 km of lower Putah Creek. We propose that the expansion of native fishes was facilitated by creation of favorable spawning and rearing conditions (e.g., elevated springtime flows), cooler water temperatures, maintenance of lotic (flowing) conditions over the length of the creek, and displacement of alien species by naturally occurring high-discharge events. Importantly, restoration of native fishes was achieved by manipulating stream flows at biologically important times of the year and only required a small increase in the total volume of water delivered downstream (i.e., water that was not diverted for other uses) during most water years. Our results validate that natural flow regimes can be used to effectively manipulate and manage fish assemblages in regulated rivers.