In-stream habitat availability for river dolphins in response to flow: Use of ecological integrity to manage river flows.

ABSTRACT: Population decline and extinction risk of river dolphins are primarily associated with flow alteration. Previous studies predominantly highlighted maintenance of adequate flow for low water seasons when habitats contract and the risk of local extinction escalates. Although river dolphins are sensitive to reduction in river flow, no studies quantify the relationships between flow and ecology of river dolphins to mitigate the potential adverse impacts of flow alteration. We quantify the relationships between flow and the ecology of river cetaceans concerning Ganges River dolphins (GRD; Platanista gangetica gangetica) usable area availability (AWS) for the low water season at wider flows (50-575 m3/s) at finer spatial and temporal scales. This study reveals that distribution of area usable to

SUBMITTER: Paudel S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8294540 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature