Coordinated habitat connectivity in river systems using metapopulation modeling 

The loss of biodiversity in river systems is a significant global problem affecting all the species inhabiting their waters. This loss is not only correlated with the global warming, but also with human activities like water pollution, channels straightening and the construction of dams and barriers limiting river connectivity. These are only some of the factors contributing to the loss in river connectivity and the decline of biodiversity in Swiss rivers. In the last decades the use of metapopulation models to assess the best renaturation measures is becoming more and more popular. With this project we are aiming at developing a metapopulation model that can help the experts to find the best renaturation measure in order to increase the habitat quality of Brown Trout, taking into account the main needs of this species such as water velocity, water depth, optimal spawning areas and food preferences. Since climate change has also an enormous impact on habitat quality, we will also include its effects, trying to build a model that will not only benefit the brown trout population but also the ecosystem as a whole, as a healthy and diverse river system supports a range of other species and provides numerous ecosystem services.