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Effects of vessel-induced waves on the YOY-fish assemblage at two different habitat types in the main stem of a large river (Danube, Austria)

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Abstract

The effects of navigation on young-of-the-year (YOY) fish were investigated for the Danube River based on an integrative approach. During YOY growing season, wave height, wave frequency and water currents were recorded. Synchronously, fish drift and fish abundance of YOY were monitored in two distinct inshore nursery habitats—a gravel bar and a groyne field. The characteristics of vessel-induced waves were correlated to YOY-drift. In both habitats, an increase in drift densities during ship passages was observed. At the same time, assemblage composition and drift densities differed between habitat types. At the gravel bar, drift densities of larval cyprinids—representing many keystone species of the Danube—were higher during ship passages. In the groyne field, drift was low and percids dominated the YOY-assemblage along the shore. Banks with gentle slopes in the main channel seem to be particularly affected by vessel-induced wave wash. Precisely such habitats are often established within the scope of modern river restoration projects because they provide suitable nursery habitats for riverine fish species. Beside the positive effects on biota, the establishment of these habitats in navigable reaches may create problems for YOY-fish due to displacement effects induced by ship-generated waves.

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Acknowledgments

This research was conducted in the monitoring task of the Integrated River Engineering Project on the Danube East of Vienna, funded by the European Union, the Austrian Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology, and via donau.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Limnology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    E. Schludermann, H. Hoyer & H. Keckeis

  2. Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, Institute of Water Management, Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria

    M. Liedermann, M. Tritthart & H. Habersack

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  1. E. Schludermann
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  4. M. Tritthart
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  6. H. Keckeis
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Correspondence to E. Schludermann.

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Guest editors: H. Habersack, S. Muhar & H. Waidbacher / Impact of human activities on biodiversity of large rivers

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Schludermann, E., Liedermann, M., Hoyer, H. et al. Effects of vessel-induced waves on the YOY-fish assemblage at two different habitat types in the main stem of a large river (Danube, Austria). Hydrobiologia 729, 3–15 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-013-1680-9

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