Hydrologic connectivity driven natural stream fish assemblages in mountain streams in the Yangtze River basin: implications for stream fish conservation in monsoonal East Asia

摘要: The East Asian monsoon and related seasonal rain belts are assumed to be significantly variable at intraseasonal, interannual, interdecadal time scales, largely determine the hydrology ecological processes of streams rivers in this region. This study investigated spatiotemporal variation fish assemblages relative importance local habitat regional landscape variables two protected middle Yangtze River basin. We hypothesized that stream area strongly influenced by climate, display a response changes flow regimes physical habitats. results show species richness abundance varied with both season size. distance downstream confluence site was top important environmental factor, followed altitude link. suggest within watershed mainly affected such as longitudinal position position, but less including water temperature types. highlights tributary connectivity continuity diversity area, indicating restoration activities should preferentially recover between upstream downstream.