Impacts of hydrological alteration on ecosystem services changes of a large river-connected lake (Poyang Lake), China. (15th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Bing; Yang, Guishan; Wan, Rongrong; Lai, Xijun; Wagner, Paul D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 310(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05-15
• Subjects: Large lake -- Ecosystem services -- Long-term changes -- Hydrological alteration; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114750
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Large lakes provide various types of ecosystem services (ESs), of which stocks and variations induced by hydrological alterations are largely unquantified. The present study investigates the long-term changes of five key ESs (i.e., flood regulation, water supply, fish production, nutrient retention and biodiversity conservation) in a large river connected lake (Poyang Lake), with special attention to impacts of hydrological alteration induced by the Three Gorges Dam (TGD). Hydrological data series, hydrodynamic model, the nutrient balance, fishery statistics, and wetland winter waterbird survey data from 1980 to 2016 were employed. Results showed that Poyang Lake provide significant ESs, with long-term average flood regulation, water supply and nutrient retention services of 167.7 × 10 8 m 3, 31.53 × 10 8 m 3, and 15.12% of total phosphorus load, respectively. The fish production service ranged from 1.74 × 10 4 t to 7.19 × 10 4 t, with an average value of 3.12 × 10 4 t. All five key ESs exhibited a downward trend since the 2000s, especially for water supply, fish production and nutrient retention services (p < 0.05), which might be largely attributed to the hydrological condition changes induced by TGD operation. Nevertheless, more detailed monitoring data and biophysical models are required to further acknowledge the changes in biodiversity conservation and fish production services and their linkages with the TGD. The present study sheds light on long-term ES changes in large lakes and their possible linkages with human influences through hydropower projects. Highlights: Long term changes of five key ecosystem services in Poyang Lake were assessed. Poyang Lake showed significant ecosystem services. All five ecosystem services of Poyang Lake showed a decreasing trend since the 2000s. Water supply and nutrient retention decreases have clear linkage with the TGD.