Impact of the Three Gorges Dam on reproduction of four major Chinese carps species in the middle reaches of the Changjiang River

Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), and black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) are the four major Chinese carps and are commercially important aquaculture species in China. Reproduction of these carp has declined since the construction of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) due to an altered water flow and thermal regime in the Changjiang (Yangtze) River. However, details of the changes in reproduction of the four species are not well understood. To assess the impact of the TGD on reproduction of the four carp, we investigated their eggs and larvae at Yidu City, which is 80 km below the TGD, during 2005–2012. We examined diff erences in larval abundance of the four species in the Jianli section (350 km downstream of the TGD) before (1997–2002) and after (2003–2012) construction of the TGD. Based on these observations, the first spawning date of the four species was delayed a mean of about 25 days after the dam was constructed. Mean egg abundance in the Yidu section of the river was 249 million and mean larval abundance was 464 million, which were significant decreases since the 1980s. Moreover, larval abundance in the Jianli section after the dam was constructed was significantly lower than that before construction (ANCOVA, P<0.05). The observed larval abundance accounted for only 24.66% of the predicted value in 2003 when the dam was first inundated. The present spawning grounds between the TGD and Yidu section of the river are very similar to those described in the 1980s, and some spawning grounds exist upstream of the TGD. Large free-flowing stretches upstream of the TGD and the creation of artificially flooded downstream reaches are needed to stimulate spawning and eff ectively conserve these four major Chinese carps species.     

Status of two Coreius species in the Three Gorges Reservoir,China

Dam construction alters natural flow regimes which,in turn,cause significant changes in fish communities during and after impoundment. The construction of the Three Gorges Reservoir,from impoundment of the Changjiang(Yangtze) River,China,may have affected native fish species. Thus,the status of two lotic freshwater fish species,Coreius heterodon and C.guichenoti,were monitored in the Three Gorges Reservoir,including fish abundance,individual composition,growth,condition,and mortality. Data on both species were gathered from upstream,midstream and downstream areas of the reservoir and,where available,from studies published before and after dam construction. Lower abundance,slower growth,a less diversified age structure,poorer fish condition(indicated by hepatosomatic index) and higher mortalities were recorded in sites nearest the dam compared with upstream areas. Furthermore,after final impoundment,individual Coreius species inhabiting the area changed,with young individuals becoming more abundant,while upstream of the reservoir the two Coreius species became smaller at a given age. The results show that the status of the two Coreius species was subject to dramatic changes after impoundment.     

Status of two <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coreius</Emphasis> species in the Three Gorges Reservoir,China

Dam construction alters natural flow regimes which, in turn, cause significant changes in fish communities during and after impoundment. The construction of the Three Gorges Reservoir, from impoundment of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River, China, may have affected native fish species. Thus, the status of two lotic freshwater fish species, Coreius heterodon and C. guichenoti, were monitored in the Three Gorges Reservoir, including fish abundance, individual composition, growth, condition, and mortality. Data on both species were gathered from upstream, midstream and downstream areas of the reservoir and, where available, from studies published before and after dam construction. Lower abundance, slower growth, a less diversified age structure, poorer fish condition (indicated by hepatosomatic index) and higher mortalities were recorded in sites nearest the dam compared with upstream areas. Furthermore, after final impoundment, individual Coreius species inhabiting the area changed, with young individuals becoming more abundant, while upstream of the reservoir the two Coreius species became smaller at a given age. The results show that the status of the two Coreius species was subject to dramatic changes after impoundment.     

Seasonal succession of phytoplankton in response to the variation of environmental factors in the Gaolan River, Three Gorges Reservoir, China

To understand the responses of a freshwater ecosystem to the impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), phytoplankton was monitored in the tributaries of the TGR area. From August 2010 to July 2011, algal species composition, abundance, chlorophyll a and other environmental parameters were investigated in the Gaolan River, which is a tributary of Xiangxi River. Thirty-one algal genera from seven phyla were identified. Results show that the lowest concentrations of total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) were 0.06 mg/L and 1.08 mg/L, respectively. The values of TP and TN exceeded the threshold concentration of the eutrophic state suggested for freshwater bodies. In the Gaolan River, the succession of phytoplankton showed clear seasonal characteristics. Different dominant species were observed among seasons under the control of environment factors. In spring and summer, the dominant species were Nitzschia sp. and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (L.) Ralfs, the limiting nutrient was NO ₃ ^? -N, and the key environmental factor for phytoplankton population succession was water temperature (WT). In autumn and winter, the dominant species were A. flos-aquae and Chlorella sp., the limiting nutrient was PO ₄ ^3? -P, and the key environmental factors were transparency and WT. This study illustrates the influence of physical and chemical factors on phytoplankton seasonal succession in a tributary of TGR since the downstream regions of Xiangxi River and Gaolan River became reservoirs after impoundment of the Three Gorges Dam. We suggest that this activity has significantly affected water quality in the dam area.     

Filling of the Three Gorges Reservoir to the 135-m Level： Instant Effects on the Yangtze Discharge and Suspended Sediment Concentration Entering the Estuary

Via the valuable opportunity of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) 135-m filling in June 2003, the Yangtze discharge and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) entering the estuary during the period from 15 May to 15 July 2003 were analyzed to examine the instant effects of the filling on them. The Yangtze discharge and SSC entering the estuary in the periods before, during and after the filling clearly indicated three phases: 1) the pre-storage phase characterized by natural conditions, in which the SSC incr...     

Opportunistic-tended life history traits of Siniperca kneri in the Three Gorges Reservoir,China: potential responses to impoundment

Reservoir impoundment changes original fluvial habitats into lentic environments. Fish species adapted to lentic habitats may take the advantage of such habitat changes and show typical life history traits might facilitate the population increase. Siniperca kneri rarely occurred in fishery landing in the Three Gorges Reservoir(TGR) area before its impoundment in 2003, but it is now a dominant species. In this study, a total of 438 females of S. kneri were collected monthly during September 2012 through January2014 using gill nets in the TGR. The age, growth, and reproductive biology were then investigated, and compared with other S. kneri populations. The standard length at age 1 was 149.9 mm in the TGR, which is larger than the three compared populations(i.e., Sandaohe Reservoir, Xinfengjiang Reservoir, and North River), but smaller than one(the Guishi Reservoir). The youngest mature female in the TGR was age 1,which is younger than that of the two compared populations(i.e., Xinfengjiang Reservoir and the North River). The relative fecundity in the TGR was 140 eggs/g, which is higher than that of the only available compared population(Xinfengjiang Reservoir, 96 eggs/g). Our results demonstrated that S. kneri in the TGR tended to have faster growth in the first year, a younger age at first maturation, and higher reproductive ef fort.We suggest that such opportunistic-tended life history traits might facilitate rapid increase of the population.     

三峡蓄水进程中库首区地震活动与库水位的关联性研究

利用三峡数字遥测地震台网产出的地震观测资料,基于互相关-重排实验技术系统分析三峡工程在蓄水进程中地震活动与库水位的相关性及不确定度,探讨三峡水库地震的成因机制。结果表明：1）蓄水进程中库首区地壳经历了“持续加载-渗透饱水-回弹与再平衡”的复杂过程,库区地震活动的时空分布特征与库水位的时序变化关系密切;2）从开始蓄水到175 m实验性蓄水阶段,巨量的直接库水荷载导致沿江近库岸10 km范围内的矿洞、溶洞、浅表性岩层、断层等失稳而诱发地震,震源深度5 km范围内的浅震活动明显与库水位快速上升产生的弹性加载有关,对库水位上涨呈“瞬时”响应;3）随着175 m实验性蓄水阶段稳定运行,渗透作用逐渐成为库区地震活动的主要影响因素,断层软化等作用可能是接连触发2014-03秭归M4.5、M4.9等构造型水库地震的原因,震源深度大于5 km的深震活动开始呈现对库水位的“滞后”响应特征。长江香溪库段作为仙女山、九畹溪断裂与长江交会的三角形构造部位,其周缘或存在发生中等强度地震的危险性。     

Soil nutrients in relation to vertical roots distribution in the riparian zone of Three Gorges Reservoir,China

Since the impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), the riparian zone has been subjected to numerous environmental changes. This study was conducted to recognize the distribution of grass roots and its impacts on soil nutrients in the water level fluctuation zone of TGR. Roots of four predominant herbaceous plants in the study area, specifically, Cynodon dactylon, Hemarthria altissima, Hemarthria compressa, and Paspalum paspaloides, and their corresponding relation with soil nutrient contents were investigated. Root surface area density was determined with WinRHIZO, and the relationships of root distribution with soil depths and soil nutrient contents were studied. The results indicates that most roots are distributed in the top soil layer of 0–10 cm. Estimated root surface area density for the selected grass species ranges from 0.16 to 13.44 cm2/cm3, and decreases exponentially with an increase in soil depth. Soil organic matter and total nitrogen contents are significantly lower on bare control area than the corresponding values on the grasslands. Total nutrient contents on grasslands of C. dactylon and H. compressa are higher than those of other grass areas. Root length density and root surface area density are significantly correlated with soil organic matter and total nitrogen content for the four grasslands. The present results suggests that plant roots have significant effects on the distribution of soil nutrients in soil profiles in the riparian zone along the TGR. Nevertheless, additional investigations are needed to reveal the specific interactions between plant roots distribution, soil nutrients and water level fluctuations.     

Fractal characterization of sediment particle-size distribution in the water-level fluctuation zone of the Three Gorges Reservoir,China

The combined effect of periodic water impoundment and seasonal natural flood events has created a 30 m high water-level fluctuation zone(WLFZ) around the Three Gorges Reservoir(TGR), China, forming a unique eco-landscape. Siltation, eutrophication, enrichment of heavy metals, and methane emissions in the WLFZ have been widely associated with sediment and soil particles generated from the upstream catchment or upland slopes. However, little attention has been paid to the complexity of sediment particle-size distributions in the WLFZ. In the present study, core samples(from a 345 cm thick sediment core from the base of the WLFZ), slope transect surface samples(across/up a WLFZ slope), and along-river/longitudinal surface samples(from the reservoir reaches) were collected. Laser granulometry and a volume-based fractal model were used to reveal the characteristics of sediment particle-size distributions. Results indicate that the alternation of coarse and fine particles in the sedimentary core profile is represented as a fluctuation of low and high values of fractal dimension(D), ranging from 2.59 to 2.77. On the WLFZ slope transect, surface sediment particles coarsen with increasing elevation, sand content increases from 3.3% to 78.5%, and D decreases from 2.76 to 2.53. Longitudinally, surface sediments demonstrate a downstream-fining trend, and D increases gradually downstream. D is significantly positively correlated with the fine particle content. We conclude that D is a useful measure for evaluating sediment particle-size distribution.     

Change of annual extreme water levels and correlation with river discharges in the middle-lower Yangtze River: Characteristics and possible affecting factors

As one of the fastest developing regions in China, the middle-lower Yangtze River(MLYR) is vulnerable to floods and droughts. With obtained time series of annual highest water level(HWL), annual lowest water level(LWL) and the corresponding river discharges from three gauging stations in MLYR that covering the period 1987–2011, the current study evaluated the change characteristics of annual extreme water levels and the correlation with river discharges by using the methods of trend test, Mann-Whitney-Pettitt(MWP) test and double mass analysis. Major result indicated a decreasing/increasing trend for annual HWL/LWL of all stations in MLYR during the study period. A change point in 1999 was identified for annual HWL at the Hankou and Datong stations. The year 2006 was found to be the critical year that the relationship between annual extreme water levels and river discharges changed in the MLYR. With contrast to annual LWL in MLYR, further investigation revealed that the change characteristics of annual HWL were highly consistent with regional precipitation in the Yangtze River Basin, while the linkage with Three Gorges Dam(TGD) operation is not strong. Our observation also pointed out that the effect of serious down cutting of the riverbed and the enlargement of the cross-section area during the initial period of TGD operation caused the downward trend of the relationship between annual LWL and river discharge. Whereas, the relatively raised river water level before the flood season due to TGD regulation since 2006 explained for the changing upward trend of the relationship between annual HWL and river discharge.     

三峡二期工程蓄水后的垂直形变场

根据三峡地区的数字高程模型(DEM)，模拟三峡二期工程蓄水位达到135m后的水体负载，利用Farrell提出的质量负荷产生的地球形变理论，推算三峡水库水位达到135m后整个库区的垂直形变，与三峡库区GPS形变监测网获得的蓄水前后的垂直形变图像进行对比分析，结果显示：在三斗坪-巴东库段，两者中都出现了3个相同的、明显的垂直形变集中区。在三峡大坝附近，模拟结果比观测结果大8～15mm，说明坝址附近的花岗岩具有较强的刚性；而在香溪，模拟结果比观测结果要小23mm，且GPS观测到长江两岸的垂直变化差异达到22mm，说明该段地质构造的特殊性和复杂性。综合分析表明，三峡大坝坝址所在地的地质构造和地壳是稳定的。     

三峡水库巴东库段地震成因机制研究

震源机制解表明：长江三峡水库巴东库段地震的发震应力是由库水荷载作用造成的。进一步分析认为，地震可能是库岸区浅地表岩层在库水荷载为主的水岩耦合作用下沿易滑结构面滑动的结果。     

Long-term monitoring revealed fish assemblage zonation in the Three Gorges Reservoir

Reservoirs are important artificial ecosystems that modify the hydrological and ecological characteristics of a river.Knowledge of the basic characteristics of fish assemblages in reservoirs is a first step toward the development of effective conservation policies.We used the information collected over a10-year period(2006-2015)to assess the structure of the fish assemblages in the Three Gorge Reservoir(TGR)in a river-dam gradient.Three fish zones were detected in TGR.Species richness was the highest in the upper zone and lowest in the lower zone.The riverine zones were dominated by rheophilic species Coreius guichenoti and Pelteobagrus vachelli.The transitional zones were dominated by Coreius heterodon and Rhinogobio cylindricus.The lacustrine zones were dominated by eurytopic species Hypophthalmichthys molitrix,Aristichthys nobilis,Hemiculter bleekeri and Cyprinus carpio.For the functional characteristics,fish assemblages in riverine and transitional zones were dominated by insectivorous species,equilibrium strategists and rheophilic species(e.g.,Coreius heterodon and Coreius guichenoti).In lacustrine zones,the fish assemblage was dominated by habitat generalists common to lakes and reservoirs(e.g.,Hemiculter bleekeri,Hypophthalmichthys molitrix,Aristichthys nobilis).Moreover,18 exotic species(e.g.,Protosalanx hyalocranius,Ictalurus punctatus,Megalobrama amblycephala,Tilapia)were collected in TGR,most of which only existed in the lacustrine zone.The results highlight the importance of freely flowing riverine reaches for conserving native fish in the upper Changjiang River and adaptive management strategies for fisheries in TGR.     

Three Gorges Dam controls sediment coarsening of the mud patch on the inner East China Sea shelf

The well-known Three Gorges Dam(TGD) within the Yangtze catchment launched its operation in 2003. The effect of the TGD operation on the sediment size on the East China Sea shelf is rarely known. High resolution(0.5 cm sampling) grain size analysis and 137 Cs and 210 Pb dating of the DH8-1 core were conducted with core collected from the distal part of a main sink for the modern Yangtze sediment entering the sea, the Min-Zhe Coastal Mud Deposits(MZCMD) on the inner East China Sea shelf. The 137 Cs dating results show that the core DH8-1 formed during 1946–2012 with a mean deposition rate of 0.65 cm yr~(-1), indicating that the 0.5 cm sampling for grain size analysis in this local area could reflect environmental changes generally on a one-year time scale. The mean grain size of DH8-1 core sediment that deposited after 2003 is significantly larger than that deposited during 1988–2002. After ruling out other possible factors, we infer that the sediment coarsening of DH8-1 core after 2003 is attributed to the TGD operation which causes the erosion of the Yangtze subaqueous delta. Specifically, the TGD operation significantly intensifies the declining trend of the Yangtze sediment loads to the sea despite no decreased water discharge, which results in extensive erosion of the Yangtze subaqueous delta. The relatively coarse sediment of the subaqueous delta is eroded and resuspended by ocean dynamics and then transported by coastal current, finally depositing on the MZCMD area. In addition, the general sediment fining of core DH8-1 that deposited during 1988–2002, comparing with 1946–1987, is mainly caused by dam construction and soil and water conservation within the Yangtze catchment. Our findings are helpful for better understanding the effects of such a huge dam as the TGD on a sediment sink like the MZCMD of such a large river as the Yangtze River.     

Breeding and mass scale rearing of clownfish Amphiprion percula: feeding and rearing in brackishwater

Breeding and mass scale larval rearing of clownfish Amphiprion percula is very limited in brackishwater. We designed an indoor program of A. percula culture in brackishwater with a salinity of 24±1, during which the impacts of feed type, water temperature, and light intensity, on the efficiency of its reproduction, were revealed. The fish were accommodated along with sea anemones in fibre glass tanks to determine the influence of brooder diet on breeding efficiency. Higher reproductive efficiency [number of eggs laid (276 22.3 eggs)] was observed when fish were fed live Acetes sp. rather than clam (204 16.4 eggs), trash fish (155 12 eggs) and formulated feed (110 10 eggs). The spawning rate was increased during September and October (water temperature, 28.74 0.55°C) on average of 2.4 spawning per month; and low spawning rate was in January (water temperature, 24.55 0.45°C) on average of 1 spawning per month. Among three light intensities (100, 500, and 900 lx) set to evaluate larval survival rate, larvae showed the highest survival rate (65.5%) at 900 lx. The breeding method specifically in brackishwater developed in the present study is a new approach, will help the people from the regions of estuary and backwater to enhance their livelihood and it will lead to reduce the exploitation from the wild habitat.     

Ichthyoplankton recruitment from mainstream of the Changjiang River into the Dongting Lake,the second largest freshwater lake in China

Floodplains are important and distinctive ecosystems around the world, and the recruitment of ichthyoplankton from river to floodplain lakes is crucial to maintain this unique ecosystem. However,this process has not been well documented. In this study, ichthyoplankton were sampled to investigate the details of ichthyoplankton recruitment from the Changjiang(Yangtze) River to the Dongting Lake via a floodway channel, the Songzi River, from May to July in 2013 and 2014. During the study period, 41 species of eggs and larvae were sampled. Among the samples, 16 were river-lake migratory species(RL), representing23.5% of the species in the Dongting Lake. In 2013, an estimated 130 million eggs and 3 180 million larvae drifted through the sampling section, and in 2014, an estimated 1 060 million eggs and 1 040 million larvae drifted through the sampling section. The amount of eggs and larvae of RL reached 3 210 million in 2013 and 1 850 million in 2014, respectively. These results demonstrated the importance of ichthyoplankton recruitment from the river to the lake, as species diversity will decrease sharply without this recruitment.Canonical correspondence analysis(CCA) showed that water temperature and water flow are the two most important factors influencing the spawning activities of fish. To maintain the high fish diversity in the Changjiang floodplain, we suggest to irrigate the channel to increase water discharge and increase the transport of ichthyoplankton from the Changjiang mainstream into the Dongting Lake.     

Analyses of egg size,otolith shape,and growth revealed two components of small yellow croaker in Haizhou Bay spawning stock

The geographic al variations in life history characteristic s of small yellow cro aker Larimich thys polyactis,caused by experienced different environmental conditions,have been observed in China seas.Previous studies based on spatial distribution,migration route,and body morphometrics suggested a complex stock structure.In this study,to clarify the source of a spawning stock,we investigated the reproduction strategy and inter-structure of the Haizhou Bay(HZB)spawning stock in the middle Yellow Sea from both egg survey and adult otolith increment analysis.Egg and adult samples were collected from three surveys during spawning season in 2013.Distinct spatial and temporal variations were detected in egg distribution and size,and otolith shape analy sis of adult fishes revealed two morphotypes with different increment growth using random forest cluster.The results indicate the existence of two components within the same spawning stock in HZB from different wintering grounds,and accordingly special protection should be required for this stock given the significance to maintain connectivity between adj acent subpopulations.     

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三峡工程水库重点监视区不同蓄水阶段地震波Q值分析

利用2001～2015年三峡数字遥测地震台网记录到的数字地震观测资料,结合三峡工程水库蓄水情况,采用Atkinson方法分析该地区的地震波衰减特征,得到不同蓄水阶段、不同库段的非弹性衰减结果。结果显示,Q值与频率变化的线性关系较好,各频点在拟合线附近波动;3个库段在不同蓄水阶段均具有较小的Q0值和中等的η值,表明三峡工程水库重点监视区构造复杂,且介质的均匀程度较低;仙女山-九畹溪断裂附近地区Q值较大,表明该地区构造运动比较稳定;巴东高桥断裂附近地区Q值较小,表明该地区构造运动比较强烈;泄滩地区随着水位的升高,Q0值增大,表明该地区介质均匀程度有所提高。     

长江三峡工程库首区InSAR测量的初步研究

正在进行的长江三峡水利枢纽工程将建成世界上最大的人工水库 ,已有的研究表明 ,高坝水库有可能诱发中强地震。合成孔径雷达干涉测量 (InSAR)已成为测量地球表面变化极具潜力的技术。对欧洲遥感卫星ERS - 1与ERS - 2的SAR数据的初步分析表明 :只要时间跨度不太长 ,在有植被覆盖、地形起伏较大的山区亦能获得较为理想的干涉图像。结合三峡地壳形变监测网络 ,利用InSAR技术完全有希望识别三峡工程蓄水过程的地表变形