Sediment substrate size influences fish diversity in tributary mouth areas in impounded boreal rivers in Sweden

Abstract

ABSTRACTLarge boreal rivers in Sweden are generally impounded by hydropower dams and a large proportion of their main stem shallow flowing habitats have been lost. Tributaries often contain relatively undisturbed habitats and could be important for the conservation of species diversity. Tributary mouth areas could be biodiversity hot-spots, due to the vicinity to the main stem and favorable environmental conditions. In this study, we investigate whether tributary mouth areas in two impounded boreal rivers (Ume- and Lule River) could be regarded as biodiversity hot spots for fish. Based on electrofishing in 20 tributary mouths, we found that overall fish diversity is generally low. The highest species richness and diversity was found in mouth areas dominated by intermediate substrate sizes (gravel – cobble). Few, if any, species were found in association with fine sediment substrates (smaller than sand). The tributary mouth areas had similar species richness and diversity as areas in the tributaries located 1-km upstream of the mouth, but the fish community composition often differed between these sites. Management action favoring fish diversity in the tributary mouth areas could include protection or rehabilitation of areas dominated by medium sized substrate and reduction of erosion and transport of fine sediments in the tributaries. Overall, we find no support for tributary mouths being hot-spots for fish biodiversity and while some patterns in diversity gives hints on suitable management action, it is important to further understand impacts in tributaries and their mouths especially in relation to temporal dynamics of the fish community.