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<p>The effects of river restoration projects do not always yield a positive response, primarily because biological changes can take a long time to stabilize, and other pressures beside those targeted by the restoration efforts can act as limiting factors. One approach to demonstrate the potential effects of restoration on biodiversity is to describe the diversity of potential habitats. We propose an approach based on quantifying the characteristics of the habitats that compose the river bottom mosaic. The initial step involves accurately mapping substrates and current velocities that constitute the habitat mosaic. Then, this map can be analyzed with geographers’ tools to quantitatively describe the habitat landscape for benthic macroinvertebrates. We propose to assess habitat heterogeneity using three types of descriptors: (1) heterogeneity of composition, (2) heterogeneity of configuration, and (3) heterogeneity of structure. Each type is described by a set of quantitative metrics. This approach enables the comparison of the habitat heterogeneity of river stretches, a proxy of their potential to host benthic macroinvertebrates. An example illustrates this approach, which should be applied in the evaluation of restoration projects.</p>

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Proposal for a method to assess the habitat mosaic heterogeneity of a river bottom using fine-scale spatial analysis

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年4月23日

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  • Jean-Nicolas Beisel,
  • Cybill Staentzel

摘要

The effects of river restoration projects do not always yield a positive response, primarily because biological changes can take a long time to stabilize, and other pressures beside those targeted by the restoration efforts can act as limiting factors. One approach to demonstrate the potential effects of restoration on biodiversity is to describe the diversity of potential habitats. We propose an approach based on quantifying the characteristics of the habitats that compose the river bottom mosaic. The initial step involves accurately mapping substrates and current velocities that constitute the habitat mosaic. Then, this map can be analyzed with geographers’ tools to quantitatively describe the habitat landscape for benthic macroinvertebrates. We propose to assess habitat heterogeneity using three types of descriptors: (1) heterogeneity of composition, (2) heterogeneity of configuration, and (3) heterogeneity of structure. Each type is described by a set of quantitative metrics. This approach enables the comparison of the habitat heterogeneity of river stretches, a proxy of their potential to host benthic macroinvertebrates. An example illustrates this approach, which should be applied in the evaluation of restoration projects.