Author(s): Lei Huang; Jianming Zhang; Yurong Wang
Linked Author(s): Lei Huang, Yurong Wang, Jianmin Zhang
Keywords: River connectivity Fragmentation River barriers Hydropower River conservation
Abstract: The Jinsha River, a vital section of the upper Yangtze River, harbors abundant hydropower resources and serves as a major hydropower base in China. In recent years, the construction of cascade hydropower stations, dams, and other river barriers has provided essential services in the Jinsha River Basin, such as power generation, water supply and irrigation. However, these developments have also caused significant negative impacts on the river's ecosystem, particularly in terms of the loss of river connectivity. In this study, we collected data on 480 river barriers in the Jinsha River Basin, including 446 existing barriers, 15 under-construction barriers, and 19 planned barriers. We quantified the status of river fragmentation in the basin’s main and tributary networks. Additionally, we compared the contributions of existing and planned barriers of different scales to the loss of river connectivity. Based on Pareto optimal theory, we further evaluated the trade-off between the planned benefits of hydropower development and the corresponding loss of connectivity in the basin. Our findings indicate that the construction of river barriers has caused significant disruption to the connectivity of the river ecosystem in the Jinsha River Basin. Hydropower dams of small and medium scales, while contributing relatively low power capacity, cause more severe connectivity loss. This study provides critical insights for future decision-making regarding the balance between river infrastructure development and ecological conservation.
Year: 2025