River Geomorphology and Fish Diversity Around the Manseriche Gorge, the Last Andean Crossing Is in Peril
Por:
Abad J.D., Chicchon H., Chuctaya J., Mendoza A., Valverde H., Oshiro C., Montoya M.
Publicada:
1 ene 2024
Categoría:
Water science and technology
Resumen:
The transition from the Andes to the Amazon lowland hosts a high biodiversity and currently is facing several anthropogenic activities, including hydropower infrastructure projects. Little is known about the geomorphology of the Andean gorges, rivers and the interaction with the fish diversity upstream and downstream of gorges. The Marañón River is a major river that connects the Andes to the Amazon lowland and it carries 40% of the sediment load arriving to Brazil. The Santiago River is the last tributary into the Marañón River before the last gorge (Manseriche). Current plans for hydropower reservoirs include the construction of several dams along the Marañón River, being the largest with a 4,500 MW capacity at the Manseriche Gorge (MG). This study seeks to characterize the baseline processes of the hydrogeomorphology and fish diversity. Results show that the Santiago River is under transitional morphodynamic regime while the Marañón River is a fully developed anabranching river. This study reveals a clear difference in fish species richness and abundance between the upstream and downstream regions of the MG, with some species only found in specific regions. The MG acts as a natural boundary condition for the hydrogeomorphology and fish diversity. If the hydropower dam at MG was built, the reservoir in the upstream reach will produce the Santiago River to disappear and sedimentation to occur, consequently modifying sediment transport boundary conditions for the lower Marañón River. Downstream of the potential dam incision will occur, reducing lateral connectivity, particularly at sites where unique species were found. © 2024. The Author(s).
Filiaciones:
Abad J.D.:
Department of Research, Education and Development, RED YAKU, Lima, Peru
Chicchon H.:
Department of Research, Education and Development, RED YAKU, Lima, Peru
Chuctaya J.:
Research Institute of the Peruvian Amazon - IIAP, Loreto, Peru
Department of Ichthyology, Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Uberlândia, Brazil
Mendoza A.:
Instituto de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
Valverde H.:
Department of Research, Education and Development, RED YAKU, Lima, Peru
Oshiro C.:
Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation, Peruvian Navy, Loreto, Peru
Montoya M.:
Wildlife Conservation Society, Lima, Peru
Alianza Aguas Amazónicas, Lima, Peru
hybrid, All Open Access
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