The influence of hydraulics, hydrology and temperature on the distribution, habitat use and recruitment of threatened cyprinids in a Western Cape river, South Africa
This study aims to explore the relationships between river flow and fish ecology in the context of the riverscape model of river ecosystems by examining the seasonal distribution of two endangered fish species, i.e. the Clanwilliam yellowfish and Clanwilliam sawfin, in relation to their physical (structural) and hydraulic habitat requirements at several scales, and to assess the importance temporal changes in flow and temperature in relation to the timing of key life history events and recruitment. From these findings it aims to recommend water management strategies to ensure the persistence of remaining populations, as well as to suggest a way forward for fish habitat studies in South Africa. The study was conducted on the Driehoeks River, a tributary of the Doring River system, which rises in the Cederberg mountains of the Western Cape, South Africa. A 5.9 km segment of this river was selected for the study.
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