Challenges and Opportunities in Using Fish Metrics for Reservoir Water Quality Evaluation

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2025

Authors

Moreira, A (Author) Other; Rodrigues, S (Author) Other; Ferreira, L (Author) Other; Formigo, NE (Author) Other; Antunes, SC (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Water

Vol. 17

Final page: 2274

ISSN: 2073-4441

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-019-VG1

DOI: 10.3390/w17152274

Abstract (EN): The Water Framework Directive (WFD) was designed to protect the quality of all water resources. For reservoirs, the ecological potential classification assesses biological parameters, evaluating only the phytoplankton community. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using fish communities to determine water quality in reservoirs. A literature review was conducted to gather information on how fish community data were integrated into reservoir water quality assessment under the WFD. This work includes an exploratory case study of the Aguieira Reservoir (Portugal), evaluating the ichthyofauna community, along with physical, chemical, and biological assessment of the water. The results of the review show that fish abundance and composition (sensitive metrics) should be used to develop ecological indices for assessing water quality in reservoirs. However, the effects of anthropogenic pressures and invasive species are not included in the calculation of most proposed indices. The case study serves as an illustrative example and demonstrates low abundance and composition of the fish community with a high percentage of invasive species, revealing a poor water quality, regarding ichthyofauna biotic index results (F-IBIP). Nevertheless, including these metrics in the classification of ecological potential can help guide restoration strategies to mitigate the effects of anthropogenic pressures.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 25