Collaborating to tackle problems of riverine impoundment
Published: 17 December 2014
A team based at Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment (SCENE) are investigating what environmental cues aquatic animals, such as fish, use to find their way around natural and artificial river barriers, and which types of hydroelectric turbines cause the least harm.
The impoundment of rivers for water supply to industry, irrigation and for hydro-electric power is a huge international environmental problem. Over 1 million man-made river dams and weirs worldwide impact many rare and high value freshwater species Research conducted at the Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment (SCENE) develops ways to mitigate these problems.
With partners from the hydropower industry (including Scottish and Southern Energy) and from regulators (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) and policy makers (Scottish Natural Heritage) the team are investigating what environmental cues aquatic animals such as fish use to find their way around natural and artificial river barriers, and which types of turbines cause the least harm.
This work will allow engineers to design fish-friendly pass-ways around barriers and to mitigate the impacts of impoundment.
First published: 17 December 2014
Find out more:
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine
- Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment
- News article: Potential barriers to fish migration
Current staff:
- Professor Colin Adams
- Professor Colin Bean