Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ecological effects of rehabilitation measures at the Austrian Danube: a meta-analysis of fish assemblages

  • WORLD’S LARGE RIVERS CONFERENCE
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Large rivers are worldwide under severe pressure and there is a lack of information on large river restoration. The present paper represents a meta-analysis of available data on river rehabilitation projects performed at the Austrian Danube River consisting of six rehabilitation projects addressing 19 sites. The overall goal was to analyse the response of fish assemblages to different rehabilitation types based on (1) morphological type (“Instream Habitat Enhancement”, “backwater Enhancement”, “extended Enhancement”), (2) length of rehabilitation measure (3) time after construction (4) applied monitoring design. Biological metrics evaluated included number of fish species and relative density, habitat guilds and Leitbild species. In total, number of species increases by 55% comparing rehabilitated with unrestored sites. The number of species of all habitat guilds is higher after rehabilitation. The proportion of rheophilic species increased and the community evolved toward a more type-specific community, according to the Leitbild. Significant differences between measure types were not detected. The rehabilitation success depends mainly on its spatial extent. Highest positive response of number of rheophilic species is achieved by a length >3.9 km. The results show that habitat rehabilitation of large rivers is effective if the spatial extent of the measure is in accordance with river size.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aarts, B. G. W., F. W. B. Van den Brink & P. H. Nienhuis, 2004. Habitat loss as the main cause of the slow recovery of fish faunas of regulated large Rivers in Europe: the transversal floodplain gradient. River research and Applications 20: 3–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BAW, 2011. Institut für Gewässerökologie, Fischereibiologie und Seenkunde (Hrsg.). Leitbildkatalog mit adaptierten Leitbildern für Salzach, Inn, Donau, Traun, Enns, March, Mur, Drau und Rhein, sowie für Seeausrinne - aktueller Stand der Bearbeitung Februar 2011. http://www.baw-igf.at/downloads.

  • Bayley, P. B., 1995. Understanding large river–floodplain ecosystems. BioScience 45: 153–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bloesch, J., C. Sandu & J. Janning, 2011. Integrative water protection and river basin management policy: the Danube case. River Syst. 20(1-2): 129–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buijse, A. D., H. Coops, M. Staras, L. H. Jans, G. J. van Geest, R. E. Grift, B. W. Ibelings, W. Oosterberg & C. J. M. Roozen, 2002. Restoration strategies for river floodplains along large lowland rivers in Europe. Freshwater Biology 47: 889–907.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buijse, A. D., F. Klijn, R. S. E. W. Leuven, H. Middelkoop, F. Schiemer, J. H. Thorp & H. P. Wolfert, 2005. Rehabilitation of large rivers: references, achievements and integration into river management. Archiv für Hydrobiologie Supplement 155 (Large Rivers 15): 715–738.

  • Burgess, O. T., W. E. Pine III & S. J. Walsh, 2012. Importance of Floodplain Connectivity to Fish Populations in the Apalachicola River, Florida. River Research Application.

  • Chovanec, A., F. Schiemer, H. Waidbacher & R. Spolwind, 2002. Rehabilitation of a heavily modified river section of the Danube in Vienna (Austria): biological assessment of landscape linkages on different scales. International Review of Hydrobiology 87: 183–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Copp, G. H., 1989. The habitat diversity and fish reproductive function of floodplain ecosystems. Environmental Biology of Fishes 26: 1–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De’ath, G. & K. E. Fabricius, 2000. Classification and regression trees: a powerful yet simple technique for ecological data analysis. Ecology 81(11): 3178–3192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feld, C. K., S. Birk, D. C. Bradley, D. Hering, J. Kail, A. Marzin, A. Melcher, D. Nemitz, M. L. Pedersen, F. Pletterbauer, D. Pont, P. F. Verdonschrot & N. Friberg, 2011. From natural to degraded rivers and back again: a test of restoration ecology theory and practice. Advances in Ecological Research 44: 119–209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ginzler, B., 2002. Fischökologische und morphologische Verhältnisse im Einflussbereich des Kraftwerks Wien/Freudenau unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der neu geschaffenen Uferstrukturen am linken Donauufer im Bereich Donauinsel. Diplomarbeit, Wien, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien.

  • Grift, R. E., A. D. Buijse, W. L. T. van Densen & J. G. P. Klein Breteler. 2001. Restoration of the river–floodplain interaction: benefits for the fish community in the River Rhine. Archiv für Hydrobiologie 135(2–4) (Large Rivers 12(2–4)): 173–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grift, R. E., A. D. Buijse & G. J. van Geest, 2006. The status of limnophilic fish and the need for conservation in floodplains along the lower Rhine, a large regulated river. Archiv für Hydrobiologie Supplement 158 (Large Rivers 16): 623–648.

  • Guti, G., 1995. Conservation status of fishes in Hungary. Opuscula Zoologica Budapest 10: XXVII–XXVIII.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hohensinner, S., H. Habersack, M. Jungwirth & G. Zauner, 2004. Reconstruction of the characteristics of a natural alluvial river–floodplain system and hydromorphological changes following human modifications: the Danube River (1812–1991). River Research and Applications 20(1): 5–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hohensinner, S., D. Eberstaller-Fleischhanderl, G. Haidvogl, M. Herrnegger & M. Weiss, 2008. Die Stadt und der Strom – Historische Veränderungen der Wiener Donau-Auen seit dem 18. Jahrhundert. Abhandlungen der Geologischen Bundesanstalt 62: 87–93.

  • Hohensinner, S., M. Jungwirth, S. Muhar & S. Schmutz, 2011. Spatio-temporal habitat dynamics in a changing Danube River landscape 1812–2006. River Research and Applications 27: 939–955.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IUCN, 2000. The 2000 IUCN Red Lists of Threatened Species. International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Gland. www.redlist.org.

  • Junk, W. J., P. B. Bayley & R. E. Sparks, 1989. The flood-pulse concept in river floodplain systems. Canadian Special Publication of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 106: 110–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keckeis, H., E. Schludermann, V. Bammer & S. Götsch, 2007. Projekt Revitalisierung Donauufer. Fischökologie. Universität Wien, Endbericht: 55 pp.

  • Lelek, A., 1987. The Freshwater Fishes of Europe, 9. Threatened Fishes of Europe. Aula-Verlag, Wiesbaden: 343 pp.

  • Miltner, R. J., D. White & C. Yoder, 2004. The biotic integrity of stream in urban and suburbanizing landscapes. Landscape and Urban Planning 69: 87–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muhar, S., S. Schmutz & M. Jungwirth, 1995. River restoration – goals and perspectives. Hydrobiologia 303: 183–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muhar, S., S. Schwarz, S. Schmutz & M. Jungwirth, 2000. Identification of rivers with high and good habitat integrity: methodological approach and applications in Austria. Hydrobiologia 422(423): 343–358.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • PASW® Decision Trees 18, Copyright 1993–2007.

  • Paul, M. J. & J. L. Meyer, 2001. Streams in the urban landscape. Annual Reviews in Ecology and Systematics 32: 333–365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paunović, M. & B. Csányi, 2010. Invasive aquatic species (IAS) as significant water management issue for the Danube River Basin. Guidance document on Alien Invasive Species within DRB, first draft. 29/05/2010.

  • Persat, H., J. M. Olivier & J. P. Bravard, 1995. Stream and riparian management of large braided Mid-European rivers, and consequences for fish. In Armantrout, N. N. (ed.), Condition of the World’s Aquatic Habitats: Proceedings of the World Fisheries Congress, Theme 1. Oxford & IBH Publishing Co, New Delhi: 139–169.

  • Rezner, C., 2001. Fischökologische Verhältnisse im Einflussbereich des Kraftwerkes Freudenau unter besonderer Berücksichtigung unterschiedlicher Habitattypen. Diplomarbeit, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien, Wien.

  • Roni, P., K. Hanson & T. Beechie, 2008. Global review of the physical and biological effectiveness of stream habitat rehabilitation techniques. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 28: 856–890.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schabus, M. & W. Reckendorfer, 2006. Einfluß der Gewässervernetzungsmaßnahmen auf die Adult- und Jungfischfauna im Altarmsystem von Orth an der Donau. Wissenschaftliche Reihe Nationalpark Donauauen. Heft 13(2006): 26 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schiemer, F., 1995. Revitalisierungsmaßnahmen für Augewässer – Möglichkeiten und Grenzen. Archiv für Hydrobiologie Supplement 101: 163–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schiemer, F. & T. Spindler, 1989. Endangered fish species of the Danube River in Austria. Regulated Rivers: Research and Management 4: 397–407.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schiemer, F. & H. Waidbacher, 1992. Strategies for conservation of a Danubian fish fauna. In Boon, P. J., P. Calow & G. E. Petts (eds), River Conservation and Management. Wiley, Chichester: 363–382.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schiemer, F., T. Spindler, H. Wintersberger, A. Schneider & A. Chovanec, 1991. Fish fry associations: important indicators for the ecological status of large rivers. International Verein Limnology 24: 2497–2500.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schiemer, F., C. Baumgartner & K. Tockner, 1999. Restoration of floodplain rivers: the “Danube Restoration Project”. Regulated Rivers: Research and Management 115: 231–244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schiemer, F., M. Jungwirth, S. Muhar & S. Schmutz (eds), 2000. Fish as indicators for the assessment of ecological integrity of large rivers. Hydrobiologia 422/423: 271–278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schomaker, C. & C. Wolter, 2011. The contribution of long-term isolated water bodies to floodplain fish diversity. Freshwater Biology 56: 1469–1480.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stanford, J. A., J. V. Ward, W. J. Liss, C. A. Frissell, R. N. Williams, J. A. Lichatowich & C. C. Coutant, 1996. A general protocol for restoration of regulated rivers. Regulated Rivers: Research and Management 12: 391–413.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tockner, K. & F. Schiemer, 1997. Ecological aspects of the restoration strategy for a river–flood-plain system of the Danube River in Austria. Global Ecological and Biogeographical Letters 6: 321–329.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tockner, K., D. Pennetzdorfer, N. Reiner, F. Schiemer & J. V. Ward, 1999. Hydrological connectivity and the exchange of organic matter and nutrients in a dynamic river–floodplain system (Danube, Austria). Freshwater Biology 41: 521–535.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ward, J. V., 1998. Riverine landscapes: biodiversity patterns, disturbance regimes, and aquatic conservation. Biological Conservation 83: 269–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ward, J. V. & J. A. Stanford, 1995. The serial discontinuity concept: extending the model to floodplain rivers. Regulated Rivers: Research and Management 10: 159–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolter, C. & A. Vilcinskas, 2000. Charakterisierung der Fischartendiversität in Wasserstraßen und urbanen Gewässern. Wasser und Boden 52: 14–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolter, C., A. Bischoff, M. Tautenhahn & A. Vilcinskas, 1999. Die Fischfauna des unteren Odertals: Arteninventar, Abundanzen, Bestandsentwicklung und fischökologische Bedeutung der Polderflächen. In Dohle, W., R. Bornkamm & G. Weigmann (eds), Das Untere Odertal. Limnologie Aktuell, Stuttgart 9: 369–386.

  • Zauner, G. & J. Eberstaller, 1999. Klassifizierungsschema der österreichischen Flußfischfauna in bezug auf deren Lebensraumansprüche. Österreichs Fischerei 52: 198–205.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zauner, G., P. Pinka & O. Moog, 2001. Pilotstudie Oberes Donautal – gewässerökologische Evaluierung neugeschaffener Schotterstrukturen im Stauwurzelbereich des Kraftwerks Aschach. Im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums für Verkehr, Innovation und Technologie, Republik Österreich.

  • Zauner, G., C. Ratschan & M. Mühlbauer, 2008. Life Natur Projekt Wachau. Endbericht Fischökologie. I. A. Arbeitskreis Wachau & Via Donau.

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank E. Lautsch for his statistical support and T. Buijse and P. Roni for comments on previous versions. This article was partly supported by WISER, Water Bodies in Europe: Integrative Systems to Assess Ecological Status and Recovery (Contract Number 226273), BIOFRESH, Biodiversity of Freshwater Ecosystems: Status, Trends, Pressures, and Conservation Priorities (Contract Number 226874), and REFORM, Restoring Rivers for Effective Catchment Management (Contract Number 282656).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management, Department of Water, Atmosphere and Environment, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Max-Emanuel-Straße 17, 1180, Vienna, Austria

    Stefan Schmutz, Helga Kremser, Andreas Melcher, Mathias Jungwirth, Susanne Muhar & Herwig Waidbacher

  2. ezb – eberstaller zauner büros, Technische Büros für Angewandte Gewässerökologie, Fischereiwirtschaft, Kulturtechnik und Wasserwirtschaft, Marktstrasse 53, 4090, Engelhartszell, Austria

    Gerald Zauner

Authors
  1. Stefan Schmutz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Helga Kremser
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Andreas Melcher
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mathias Jungwirth
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Susanne Muhar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Herwig Waidbacher
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Gerald Zauner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stefan Schmutz.

Additional information

Guest editors: H. Habersack, S. Muhar & H. Waidbacher / Impact of human activities on biodiversity of large rivers

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 43 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schmutz, S., Kremser, H., Melcher, A. et al. Ecological effects of rehabilitation measures at the Austrian Danube: a meta-analysis of fish assemblages. Hydrobiologia 729, 49–60 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-013-1511-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-013-1511-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation