Damming Tropical Island Streams: Problems, Solutions, and Alternatives

• Published in: Bioscience Vol. 53; no. 11; pp. 1069 - 1078
• Main Authors: MARCH, JAMES G, BENSTEAD, JONATHAN P, PRINGLE, CATHERINE M, SCATENA, FREDERICK N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Circulation, AIBS, 1313 Dolley Madison Blvd., Suite 402, McLean, VA 22101. USA American Institute of Biological Sciences 01.11.2003; University of California Press; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Aquatic life; Biographies; conservation; Creeks & streams; Dam construction; Dams; diadromy; Ecological effects; Environmental impact; Freshwater; Geographic Isolation; Human populations; impoundments; insular; Islands; Larvae; lotic; OVERVIEW ARTICLES; Population growth; Saline water; Scientific Research; Streams; Water; Water conservation; Water resources; Water use; Wildlife conservation; impoundments; insular; diadromy; conservation; lotic
• ISSN: 0006-3568; 1525-3244
• DOI: 10.1641/0006-3568(2003)053[1069:DTISPS]2.0.CO;2

The combination of human population growth, increased water usage, and limited groundwater resources often leads to extensive damming of rivers and streams on tropical islands. Ecological effects of dams on tropical islands can be dramatic, because the vast majority of native stream faunas (fishes, shrimps, and snails) migrate between freshwater and saltwater during their lives. Dams and associated water withdrawals have been shown to extirpate native faunas from upstream reaches and increase mortality of downstream-drifting larvae. A better understanding of the effects of dams and the behavior of tropical island stream faunas is providing insights into how managers can mitigate the negative effects of existing dams and develop alternatives to dam construction while still providing freshwater for human use. We review the ecological effects of dams on tropical island streams, explore means to mitigate some of these effects, describe alternatives to dam construction, and recommend research priorities.