Long Term Ecological Research in the Upper Paraná River Floodplain, Brazil: main patterns and variations:

Transcription

1 Long Term Ecological Research in the Upper Paraná River Floodplain, Brazil: main patterns and variations: Session on Role of Flow and Hydrologic Connectivity in Floodplain and Wetlands Ecosystems 9th INTECOL International Wetlands Conference, TX Angelo Antonio Agostinho Luiz Carlos Gomes Horácio Ferreira Júlio Jr Sidinei Magela Thomaz Universidade Estadual de Maringá

2 Structure of the presentation The upper Paraná River Biodiversity Impoundments Main impacts on the ecosystem functioning Losses in floodable area Connectivity Nutrients and sediment retention Perspective for the future

3 W70 W65 W60 W55 W50 W45 W40 W35 1 The upper Paraná River N S5 S10 Largest industrial center in South America Intensive agriculture and ranching km S15 S20 S25 S30 S35 High density of human population - 36% of Brazilian population Impoundments ANTLÂNTICA 10,0% URUGUAI 2,0% AMAZÔNIA 8,0% TOCANTINS 15,0% SÃO FRANCISCO 18,0% N O L S Brasil km PARANÁ 47,0%

4 Flooding Low water season (Oct 1996) High water season (Jan 1990)

5 Biodiversity Plants 774 Aquatic macrophytes 155 Phytoplankton 690 Periphyton 824 Zooplankton (+ciliates+rotifers) 866 Benthic invertebrates (+Ostracods) 315 Ictioparasites 337 Fishes 170 Amphibian 22 Reptiles 37 Birds 295 Mammals 60 TOTAL 4545

6 Main Impacts Redistribution of the seasonal discharge promoted by dams provoked losses in floodable area and altered connectivity among the plain components PERMANENT DRY AREA DROUGHT FLOOD Natural discharges Regulateddischarges 16 Discharge(m 3/s.1,000) PERMANENT FLOODED AREA 8 6 JanFevMar Apr MayJun Jul AugSepOct NovDec LOSSES IN SEASONALLY INUNDABLE AREA Baran et al.(in prep)

7 Increase in Secchi Depth due to sediment retention in reservoirs Secchi (m) Months a Roberto et al. (2009)

8 Habitat alterations Proliferation of submersed macrophytes Egeria densa Egeria najas Hydrilla verticillata By P. Mormul (UEM)

9 YEAR Habitat alterations Proliferation of non native species 4,0 3,5 3,0 2,5 2,0 1,5 1,0 0,5 Transparency (m) Paraná Baía Ivinheima 0, Years Closure of Porto Primavera Dam 3 PEACOCK BASS (% TOTAL) 2 1 PARANA BAIA IVINHEIMA

10 Total P ( L Nutrients retention by dams b Months Roberto et al. (2009)

11 Nutrient retention Roberto et al. (2009)

12 Daily water level Changes in Connectivity

13 Bank and island erosion High frequency pulses + sediment retention Erosion (piping) Sand-silt Clay

14 Changes in Riverbed overflow Discharge: Day (Mar 24, 1985) = 15,755 m 3 /s Maximum (Feb 17, 1985) = 18,200 m 3 /s 24/03/1985 Discharge: Day (Feb 23, 2007) = 18,733 m 3 /s Maximum (Feb 21, 2007) = 18,800 m 3 /s 23/02/2007 no overflow Conclusion: More water for the same flood

15 Water level x Connectivity WATER LEVEL Dec-2010 Dec-2009 Dec-2008 Dec-2007 Dec-2006 Dec-2005 Dec-2004 Dec-2003 Dec-2002 Dec-2001 Dec-2000 Dec-1999 Dec-1998 Dec-1997 Dec-1996 Dec-1995 Dec-1994 Dec-1993 Dec-1992 Dec-1991 Dec-1990 Dec-1989 Dec-1988 Dec-1987 Dec-1986 Dec-1985

16 Connectivity x Fish Recruitment

17 Flood attributes x Fish Recruitment YOUNG OF THE YEAR (cpue) YOUNG O FLOOD DURATION (days) GREATEST UNINTERRUPED OVERFLOW (days) YOUNG OF THE YEAR (cpue) YOUNG ,0 4,5 5,0 5,5 6,0 6,5 7,0 7,5 ANNUAL MAXIMUM LEVEL (m) 0 OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN BEGINNING OF FLOOD (month)

18 Flood intensity/duration and fish recruitment (ANCOVA outcomes) Suzuki et al. (2009)

19 Socioeconomic and cultural implication Reduction in fishery income Itaipu Reservoir (fishers come from other economic activity, of the which they were excluded) Upstream Itaipu Reservoir (traditional population) Illicit activity (smuggling, drug traffiking and transportation of stolen vehicles across the border between Brazil and Paraguay) Fishery abandonment (losses in lifestyle, knowledge, beliefs, feelings and social relationships) Increase in criminality Losses in cultural diversity

20 x Public polices for the region SOUTH AMERICA NOVA ANDRADINA MATO GROSSO DO SUL STATE BATAIPORÃ Regional Conservation Units 23º 00 54º 20 AMAMBAÍ GUIRAÍ VITÓRIA IVINHEIMA IVINHEIMA PARANÁ BAILE PATRÃO BAIA PARANÁ PORTO RICO XXX ROSANA PARANAPANEMA PORTO SÃO JOSÉ PARANÁ STATE PORTO PRIMAVERA PORTO CAIUÁ XXX IVAI MARACAÍ PORTO CAMARGO DO VEADO PIRAJUÍ MORUMBI IGUATEMI PARANÁ Ilha Grande PARANÁ PARACAI SÃO JOÃO L E G E N D SCALE 30 Km 40 ILHAS E VÁRZEA DO RIO PARANÁ PROTECTED AREA ILHA GRANDE NATIONAL PARK PARAGUAY BRAZIL GUAÍRA PIQUIRI RIO IVINHEIMA STATE PARK

21 Conclusions and Perspectives Impacts to floodplain stretches downstream of dams are related to loss of habitat and/or their deterioration (besides of blockage of fish migratory routes). This impact are caused by factors linked to the quality and quantity of water release along the year. Any action for mitigating the impacts should necessarily consider the manipulation of reservoir discharge, in order to meet habitat, biota, social, economic and cultural demands.

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