Project Description

Project Context :

Littoral areas of lake ecosystems, which host a high biodiversity and are essential to the life cycle of many species, are particularly affected by human activities. One of the major alterations is high water level fluctuations (hydroelectric power, drinking water, irrigation, etc.), which impoverishes the available habitat, particularly for macroinvertebrates and fish. Proposing solutions to counteract the harmful effects of high water level fluctuations and thus reconcile the uses of reservoirs with the ecological requirements of species remains a major challenge.

Project Objectives :

For this, the project proposes to design and test artificial floating islands featuring helophytes and underwater layers covered with mineral substrate and vegetated with hydrophytes. By floating, they offer a permanent variety of habitats similar to littoral habitats. The project aims to quantify their colonization by macroinvertebrates and fish and to document the functions they support, with particular focus on spawning and nursery functions for phytophilic fish species.

Project Results

To go further

Useful Links :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qgw6HuQft_g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyhLWVdXY7I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G8cubuSDas

Contact : samuel.westrelin[at]inrae.fr