Fish traits as an alternative tool for the assessment of impacted rivers

摘要: The current scenario of worldwide exponential increase in river impoundment (dams) and the compounded effects climate change are among most important threats to freshwater ecosystems. sharp decline biodiversity impacted rivers demands enhancement available tools for biomonitoring improved approaches informing environmental decision-making. Here, we demonstrate examples how fish trait analyses could be used assess predict response communities damming this approach has potential advantages over traditionally methods by linking suites traits stressor through plausible cause effect mechanisms. Using a trait-based analysis is advantageous as it transcends taxonomy, can applied across broad spatial scales easily integrated into assessment programs. Therefore, promising tool However, some challenges remain application namely lack universality trait-habitat links; availability, consistency, applicability existing data; low discriminatory power poor mechanistic understanding. Nonetheless adaptive management benefit from sustainably operating dams light knowledge on functional structure altered, thus enabling essential habitats maintained.