Ecological effects of river-lake water system connecting in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and its joint scheduling
Bai Leilei
Jiang Helong
Lu Yan
Wu Pan
Abstract：Current planning and implementation of water system connectivity projects primarily focus on water resource scheduling,flood control,drought relief,and navigation needs,with limited clarity on how such projects impact the ecological environment quality of connected rivers and lakes,and on related collaborative management measures. Projects like the Water Diversion Project from the Yangtze River to the Taihu Lake,which restore connectivity in the lower Yangtze River,also lead to changes in water levels,hydrodynamics,sediment transport,and water quality within rivers and lakes. These changes alter the habitat conditions of water bodies and sediments,triggering shifts in key biological populations,ecosystem structures,and ecological types of "clear water with grass"/"turbid water with algae",thereby profoundly affecting the ecological environment of rivers and lakes. Based on a review of joint scheduling methods for water system connectivity,it is proposed that scientific regulation of river-lake connectivity projects should incorporate hydrological and hydrodynamic linkages,habitat condition changes,ecosystem responses,and dynamic control of connectivity. A systematic analysis of the ecological response mechanisms of connected rivers and lakes is necessary,along with the establishment of a hydrodynamic-water quality-ecological coupling model for simulation. A multi-objective joint scheduling plan is proposed to ensure flood safety,ecological flow,and smooth circulation,thus maximizing the benefits of water network construction and contributing to the restoration of river and lake ecosystems.
Keywords：river-lake water system connectivityecological responsewater ecosystemhydrodynamic-water quality-water ecological modelmulti-objective regulation
Publication Date：2024-11-12
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：7( 54-60 )