Global Ecology and Conservation最新文献

{"title":"Multidimensional stability assessment and spatial drivers for targeted eco-functional zones on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau","authors":"Weijia Cao ,&nbsp;Ziyu Zhang ,&nbsp;Wentao Zhong ,&nbsp;Haoyu Sun ,&nbsp;Yujie Yun ,&nbsp;Xinyu Wang ,&nbsp;Huamin Liu ,&nbsp;Lixin Wang ,&nbsp;Hong Chang ,&nbsp;Lu Wen","doi":"10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04062","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04062","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Functioning as \"Asian Water Tower\" and a globally ecologically sensitive area, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) holds strategic significance for regional and global ecological security. Consequently, comprehensively assessing its ecological stability (ES) is imperative. To address this, we constructed a multidimensional evaluation framework integrating resilience, resistance, and temporal stability. By synthesizing multi-source datasets (2000–2020) and employing Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) modeling, this study aims to elucidate the spatial heterogeneity patterns and drivers of ES across the QTP. The results demonstrate that from a holistic perspective, ES of the QTP predominantly exhibited moderate and above levels, with very high concentrated in central-eastern and very low clustered in northeastern regions. Dimensional analysis demonstrated moderate overall resilience, drought resistance, and cold and warmth resistance, whereas temporal stability remained low. Precipitation and altitude emerged as positive natural drivers, while anthropogenic factors including population density, grazing intensity, and secondary industry GDP consistently demonstrated negative effects. From different ecozones, ES and its various indicators vary in rank, and ES, resilience, and resistance are generally at a moderate, while temporal stability is at a relatively low. At the same time, the drivers of each ecozone also vary slightly. Leveraging these heterogeneous driver-response patterns, we delineated six eco-functional zones to inform adapted conservation and restoration strategies. The developed \"pattern-mechanism-zoning\" framework establishes a scientific paradigm for targeted governance of alpine ecosystems, advancing stability-oriented management through spatially explicit decision support.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54264,"journal":{"name":"Global Ecology and Conservation","volume":"66 ","pages":"Article e04062"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145981534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing sampling interval length in species abundance comparison using the Royle-Nichols occupancy model","authors":"Monique de Jager ,&nbsp;Marijke van Kuijk ,&nbsp;Joeri A. Zwerts ,&nbsp;Patrick A. Jansen","doi":"10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04065","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04065","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Royle-Nichols occupancy model is commonly used for comparison of wildlife abundance between sites or years with biomonitoring data, such as camera-trap or bioacoustics records. The method requires that records of species are subdivided into sampling intervals with detection or non-detection. Here, we evaluated how the choice of interval length - which is commonly chosen arbitrarily - affects the outcomes of such comparisons. Using simulations and field data, we find that interval length can affect model results substantially. In some cases, different interval lengths can yield opposite differences in abundance between locations. Our results indicate that the interval length should be carefully selected based on properties of the data rather than arbitrarily chosen. Careful selection increases the accuracy of species’ abundance comparisons, and makes population comparisons more effective. We provide guidelines for optimizing the choice of interval length.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54264,"journal":{"name":"Global Ecology and Conservation","volume":"66 ","pages":"Article e04065"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145981605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Shelter and microhabitat use by an invasive snake: Control implications","authors":"Borja Maestresalas ,&nbsp;Julien C. Piquet ,&nbsp;Marta López-Darias","doi":"10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04063","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04063","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A major shortcoming in invasive species management is the lack of ecological information, including patterns of refuge selection and microhabitat use, which can be applied to better understand where to target control efforts. This is especially important for elusive species like the California kingsnake (<em>Lampropeltis californiae</em>), which is invading Gran Canaria (Canary Islands). To support management efforts, we tracked 15 radio-tagged individuals daily between July 2020 and June 2021 for 9–11 consecutive days each month. We recorded detection locations as shelters and defined revisits as instances where snakes were located within 6 m of previously used locations. To describe shelter-use regime and microhabitat selection, we analysed a set of biotic and abiotic characteristics in 267 <em>selected plots</em> (centred on each detection location), comparing them by sexes and between <em>single</em>-<em>use</em> and <em>multiple-use</em> plots. Additionally, we characterized 246 <em>random plots</em> to assess microhabitat selection. On average, individuals used 2.6 ± 1.0 shelters/month (mean ± SD; brumation: 1.6 ± 0.9 shelters/month; active season: 3.5 ± 1.1 shelters/month), stayed 4.1 ± 13.6 days per shelter (brumation: 9.6 ± 20.4 days; active season: 2.8 ± 4.1 days), and revisited 20.0 ± 11.7 % of them after 50.1 ± 55.4 days. We found no differences in shelter-use regime between sexes, though plots used by males had significantly more rock (ca. &gt; 30 cm diameter) cover and less stone (ca. &lt; 30 cm diameter) cover than plots used by females. Dense shrubs were more dominant in <em>multiple-use plots</em> in comparison with <em>single-use plots</em>. <em>Selected plots</em> had higher <em>rock, stone,</em> and <em>vegetation</em> cover than <em>random plots</em>, where <em>loose soil</em> was more common. Our findings can guide management by scheduling revisits and by focusing visual surveys and trapping in areas with more rocks, stones or dense vegetation. Overall, our study highlights the need for research on shelter use and microhabitat selection to improve management of secretive invasive snake species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54264,"journal":{"name":"Global Ecology and Conservation","volume":"66 ","pages":"Article e04063"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146024378","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impacts of land use and land cover change on habitat connectivity: A case study of the Igando Igawa Wildlife Corridor, Southern Tanzania","authors":"Joas J. Makwati ,&nbsp;Steven Temu ,&nbsp;Olipa Simon ,&nbsp;Philip K. Mwanukuzi ,&nbsp;Henry J. Ndangalasi","doi":"10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04057","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04057","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Habitat fragmentation and land cover change pose major threats to ecological connectivity and biodiversity conservation across sub-Saharan Africa. This study evaluates the impacts of land use and land cover (LULC) change on the structural connectivity and ecological function of the Igando-Igawa Wildlife Corridor (IIWC) in southern Tanzania, which links Mpanga Kipengere Game Reserve to Ruaha National Park. Using remote sensing, GIS-based modelling, ground surveys and field observations, we analysed landscape transformations over a 30-year period (1994–2024). Results indicate a substantial expansion of agricultural land with scattered settlements, increasing from 174.5 km² (19.3 %) to 475.9 km² (52.7 %). Bushland also expanded by 168.1 km², while woodland and grassland declined by 305.8 km² and 182.8 km², respectively. Built-up and bare land areas showed moderate growth. Landscape fragmentation intensified, with patch density increasing and the Aggregation Index declining from 93.11 to 81.70, indicating reduced core habitat. Least-cost path analysis revealed a narrowing and southward shift of the corridor, with cost-weighted distance rising from 161,549 to 242,407 units and path length extending from 52.9 km to 57.3 km. These changes have significantly impeded wildlife movement, particularly for large mammals such as elephants and lions, due to intensified human activities including agriculture, settlement expansion, livestock grazing and vegetation clearance. The findings highlight the urgent need for proactive corridor protection, integrated land use planning, and community engagement. This study has laid a foundation for further research and informs conservation strategies in rapidly changing landscapes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54264,"journal":{"name":"Global Ecology and Conservation","volume":"66 ","pages":"Article e04057"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145928957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Decoupled climate relationships of tree radial growth and canopy dynamics along environmental gradients in Qinling Mountains, central China","authors":"Xuan Wu ,&nbsp;Changfeng Sun ,&nbsp;Yu Liu ,&nbsp;Mengdan Jing ,&nbsp;Huiming Song ,&nbsp;Qiufang Cai ,&nbsp;Meng Ren ,&nbsp;Zhuoying Li ,&nbsp;Qiang Li","doi":"10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04060","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04060","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Radial growth and canopy dynamics of trees both play a significant role in the terrestrial carbon cycle. However, the climate-driven responses of these two key biomass compartments and their modulating factors across different growing seasons remain insufficiently understood. In this study, we integrated tree-ring chronologies with the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from remote sensing to investigate the climate response of tree growth across 20 sites spanning different environmental gradients in the Qinling Mountains of central China. We calculated correlations of Tree-ring width and NDVI with climate factors and evaluated how these responses varied with aridity index, topographic wetness index, elevation and slope. The results revealed that decoupling of xylem and foliage climate responses was most significant in the early growing season, primarily driven by moisture availability, with both tree-ring width and NDVI showing stronger correlations with vapor pressure deficit (VPD) and temperature under improved moisture conditions. Notably, we observed a significant positive correlation between TRW and NDVI of the middle growing season. These findings demonstrate that climate response differences between radial growth and canopy dynamics may arise from their heterogeneous adaptive strategies along environmental gradients, highlighting the important scientific significance of joint assessment of both xylem and foliage growth for understanding forest growth dynamics under global change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54264,"journal":{"name":"Global Ecology and Conservation","volume":"66 ","pages":"Article e04060"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145981532","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"How does climate and land use affect structural attributes, diversity and carbon sequestration at vegetation and species levels in West African savanna ecosystems?","authors":"Valaire Séraphin Ouehoudja Yaro ,&nbsp;Loyapin Bonde ,&nbsp;Pawend-taoré Christian Bougma ,&nbsp;Reginald Tang Guuroh ,&nbsp;Oumarou Ouedraogo ,&nbsp;Anja Linstädter","doi":"10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04056","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04056","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Research on land use impacts on woody diversity and carbon stocks in West African savannas has primarily focused on the vegetation level. However, a combined analysis at both vegetation and species levels offers a more nuanced understanding of carbon loss patterns and provides stronger guidance for management and conservation of threatened species. This study evaluated the effect of climate and land use change on woody structure, diversity and carbon stocks in two climate zone (Sudanian and Sudano-Sahelian) and four land use types reflecting a land use conversion gradient. Aboveground carbon stocks were calculated from dendrometric data using a generalized pantropical allometric equation. Carbon dynamics were analyzed along the conversion gradient (near natural vegetation → recent cropland → cropland remaining cropland → fallow), with near natural vegetation as the baseline. Analysis of variance revealed significant effects of both climate and land use types on woody diversity and carbon stocks (P &lt; 0.05), with interactive effects observed only for diversity. The highest aboveground carbon losses occurred during conversion from near natural vegetation to recent croplands in both the Sudano-Sahelian (reduced by 69.8%) and the Sudanian zones (reduced by 84%). Species level analyses further showed that carbon-rich species such as <em>Anogeissus leiocarpa</em> were largely removed during recent cropland establishment, while socio-economically important species such as <em>Vitellaria paradoxa, Parkia biglobosa, Tamarindus indica, and Lannea macrocarpa</em> were retained. To limit carbon losses, the integration of nitrogen-fixing tree species such as <em>Faidherbia albida</em> could simultaneously enhance agricultural productivity, reduce deforestation pressure, and strengthen carbon storage in savanna ecosystems, thereby contributing to conservation goals at the landscape level.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54264,"journal":{"name":"Global Ecology and Conservation","volume":"66 ","pages":"Article e04056"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145928955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Measures to improve the accuracy of species distribution models for effective conservation of endangered species","authors":"Sangwook Lee ,&nbsp;Yoonji Kim ,&nbsp;Youngjae Yoo ,&nbsp;Hye In Chung ,&nbsp;Jiyeon Lee ,&nbsp;Jinhoo Hwang ,&nbsp;Hong-Shik Oh ,&nbsp;Hyeon Kwon Ahn ,&nbsp;Seongwoo Jeon","doi":"10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04061","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04061","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurate identification of ecologically sensitive areas, particularly those harboring endangered species, is essential for ensuring that development projects proceed without causing irreversible biodiversity loss. Species distribution models (SDMs) are pivotal tools in addressing this issue, yet they are constrained by challenges such as the overestimation or underestimation of potential habitats and inadequate representation of species-specific ecological traits, especially for endangered species. To address these limitations, this study refines the SDMs for the endangered species <em>Mankyua chejuense</em> by employing a novel approach that incorporates weighted occurrence data and optimized pseudo-absence point selection. These advancements not only mitigate the intrinsic biases of SDMs in habitat estimation but also provide a more nuanced reflection of the species’ ecological characteristics. This improved modeling framework holds substantial implications for developing more effective national and regional biodiversity conservation strategies, and supports the broader application of this refined approach to other species in the future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54264,"journal":{"name":"Global Ecology and Conservation","volume":"66 ","pages":"Article e04061"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145929058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multi-scale analysis reveals the differential impacts of forest loss and fragmentation on mammal species in Southwest China and their conservation implications","authors":"Jipeng Tian ,&nbsp;Haijun Su","doi":"10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04058","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04058","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Global land-use changes have driven forest loss and fragmentation, resulting in a drastic decline in biodiversity levels. Understanding how biological communities respond to anthropogenic landscapes is crucial for developing optimal spatial strategies for biodiversity conservation in human-modified landscapes. We used the long-term monitoring camera trap data within human-modified forest landscapes in the northern Guizhou Plateau, southwest China, to investigate the scale of effects of landscape structure on mammal communities through single-species occupancy model, and assessed which spatial factors (landscape and local habitat structure) best predict the species occurrence at multiple scales. We found significant differences of the scale of landscape effect on mammal species, with forest cover tending to have larger scales of effects than edge density and number of forest patches among the landscape variables. In addition, the effects of forest loss and fragmentation on species were distinct. Forest loss negatively affects species at multiple scales, especially at larger scales, whereas forest fragmentation mainly positively or negatively affects species at smaller scales. Mesocarnivores showed greater adaptability in fragmented landscapes with human disturbances, whereas ungulates avoid areas with less forest cover and more fragmentation. Therefore, we stress the importance of maintaining large areas of forest fragments, considering the effects of forest fragmentation within the species' core home ranges on conservation strategies, to ensure a greater persistence of mammal species in the human-modified forest landscapes in southwestern China.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54264,"journal":{"name":"Global Ecology and Conservation","volume":"66 ","pages":"Article e04058"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145981535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gut microbiota variation and trophic niche differentiation among sympatric birds in a forest-farmland mosaic","authors":"Peizhuo Xu ,&nbsp;Zhiping Ren ,&nbsp;Tong Yang ,&nbsp;Lingsheng Meng ,&nbsp;Kun Cheng ,&nbsp;Yining Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04059","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04059","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The abundance and diversity of gut microbiota influence avian health, nutrient assimilation, and overall physiological performance. However, the extent to which variation in gut microbial composition corresponds to resource use and niche differenśtiation among sympatric bird species remains poorly understood. We characterized the gut microbiota of three bird species inhabiting a forest–farmland mosaic in suburban Harbin, China: Oriental Turtle-dove (<em>Streptopelia orientalis</em>), Hoopoe (<em>Upupa epops</em>), and Grey-backed Thrush (<em>Turdus hortulorum</em>), using 16S rRNA V3–V4 sequencing. Proteobacteria were predominant in <em>Streptopelia</em> and <em>Turdus</em>, whereas Firmicutes were more abundant in <em>Upupa</em>. LEfSe analysis identified species-specific microbial biomarkers, including Pseudomonas in <em>Upupa</em>, Tyzzerella in <em>Turdus</em>, and Paracoccus in <em>Streptopelia</em>. KEGG-based functional predictions revealed that lipoic acid metabolism was enriched in <em>Streptopelia</em>. Thiamine metabolism and carbon fixation were enriched in <em>Turdus</em>, while pyruvate metabolism was more abundant in <em>Streptopelia</em> and <em>Upupa</em>. Pianka index analyses indicated greater overlap in gut microbial composition than in dietary ASVs, with notable differences between <em>Turdus</em> and <em>Upupa</em>. These patterns suggest that gut microbial composition corresponds with species-specific trophic tendencies and dietary characteristics, potentially reflecting mechanisms of resource partitioning. Overall, taxonomic and functional differentiation of gut microbiota among the three species provides insights into the potential role of microbes in facilitating coexistence within heterogeneous habitats and informs conservation strategies for urban and peri-urban bird communities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54264,"journal":{"name":"Global Ecology and Conservation","volume":"66 ","pages":"Article e04059"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145929057","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Disentangling the effects of hydro-morphological changes on the reduction in the spawning habitat of four major Chinese carps in the Middle Yangtze River","authors":"Bowen Yu ,&nbsp;Peng Zhang ,&nbsp;Li Chen ,&nbsp;Yang Li ,&nbsp;Zhi Yang ,&nbsp;Zhiwei Li ,&nbsp;Siyang Wang ,&nbsp;Zehao Lv ,&nbsp;Volker Weitbrecht","doi":"10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04054","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gecco.2026.e04054","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Middle Yangtze River serves as a critical spawning habitat for the Four Major Chinese Carps (FMCC). The operation of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) on the Yangtze River has significantly altered flow and water temperature regimes, reduced sediment concentration, and led to changes in river morphodynamics in the downstream reaches. These hydro-morphological changes have negatively impacted the spawning habitat suitability of FMCC, however, for the multiple hydro-morphological changes induced by the TGD, existing research primarily focuses on hydrological processes, and has not yet quantitatively distinguished the individual contributions of each factor to habitat loss. To disentangle the joint effects of hydro-morphological changes on habitat, we first constructed a one-dimensional physical habitat model that considered the spawning requirements of water level fluctuation, flow velocity, and water temperature for FMCC spawning. Then, we simulated and calculated habitat quality and quantity in pre-and post-TGD scenarios and examined the effects of hydro-morphological changes on the reduction in the spawning habitat of FMCC. Our results indicate that the Weighted Usable Area (<em>WUA</em>) for spawning decreased by approximately 12.1 % during the spawning period from April to July after the TGD operation. Of this reduction, changes in water temperature accounted for 46.0 %, alterations in the flow regime contributed 24.8 %, and changes in river morphology were responsible for the remaining 29.2 %. The most significant habitat loss occurred in May, with the <em>WUA</em> decreasing by 19.6 % relative to the pre-dam period. Decreased water temperatures due to TGD operation predominantly reduced <em>WUA</em> in April and May, while flow regime changes primarily reduced <em>WUA</em> in June and July. Additionally, channel erosion reduced <em>WUA</em> by decreasing wetted area and lowering the suitability of water level fluctuation, with varying spatial effects on habitat suitability changes. To mitigate <em>WUA</em> loss during spawning seasons, we propose an optimal combination of discharge quantity (Q) and daily discharge increment (ΔQ), which can inform dam operation schemes to reduce the impacts of altered flow regimes. This research provides insights into the comprehensive effects of hydro-morphological changes on fish habitat. It underscores the impact of river erosion due to dam operations and lays a foundation for the future ecological operation of hydropower projects and initiatives for micro-habitat restoration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54264,"journal":{"name":"Global Ecology and Conservation","volume":"66 ","pages":"Article e04054"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145928953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}