EXISTING AND FUTURE CHALLENGES: THE CONCEPT OF SUCCESSFUL FISH PASSAGE IN SOUTH AMERICA

摘要: Most of the large rivers South America are impounded mainly for hydropower production. The construction fish passes has been one strategies adopted by Brazilian authorities and energy sector to diminish effects these barriers on migratory communities. Despite high investments efforts involved, most facilities have considered ineffective conservation purposes. Decades poor monitoring lack specific studies limited our knowledge real role passes. Efficiency frequently defined as proportion that ascend a passage facility, compared shoal size reaches dam. Inspired notion fishes accumulated below dam need migrate upstream, quantity passed upstream historically indicated successful management, generally inferred abundance inside pass. We propose new concept estimating pass efficiency American rivers, based capability maintain viable populations. This broader approach is necessary because habitats above pass, plus feasibility downstream movements eggs, larvae adults through reservoir past dam, needed assessing whether working tool. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.