Assessment of freshwater ecosystem health condition based on fish habitats using a holistic modelling approach

Abstract

Global biodiversity is largely dependent on aquatic habitats. The state of fish habitats and the health of the aquatic ecosystem as a whole are important indicators of environmental quality. In recent years, the implications of human interference and climate change on aquatic environments have gained significant attention. Hydrological modifications driven on by anthropogenic activities are steadily degrading flow conditions and threatening the abundance of fish in the geographic region, while simultaneously having an impact on the health of the watershed. Therefore, the integrated hydrological-hydrodynamic-habitat modelling under diverse flow regimes can be used to assess the eco-sustainability and habitat suitability of the fish species. This article categorizes the habitat variables of fish into three groups: eco-hydrological, hydrodynamic-water quality, and eco-biological. This categorization facilitates an understanding of the mechanisms by which each factor affects fish and their habitats. The study, as the first of its kind, provides an extensive review of eco-hydrological models, hydrodynamic-water quality models, and habitat models, along with their relevant influencing components. It proposes a scientific framework for evaluating the potential hazards of aquatic habitat degradation, with an emphasis on data-scarce regions. This strategy could potentially establish a scientific basis for the preservation and restoration of aquatic ecosystems.