Spatio-temporal analysis of fish and their habitat: a case study on a highly degraded Swiss river system prior to extensive rehabilitation

The failure of river rehabilitation projects is often reported in the literature. One possible reason for this failure is the insufficient consideration of factors degrading riverine ecosystems at large spatio-temporal scales. A precedent analysis of the evolution and significance of these factors at the watershed level is proposed as a prerequisite for a successful rehabilitation project. Based on a watershed-scale approach, we investigated the current and historical states of the fish assemblage and of relevant abiotic factors in the river Rhone, a seventh-order stream in Switzerland scheduled for large-scale rehabilitation. Recent field data gathered by electrofishing and habitat mapping were analysed by means of a mixed model approach and were qualitatively compared compared to historical information derived from topographic maps and documentary sources. The length of the entire active channel has been reduced by 45% (102 km) since 1850, representing a significant diminution in lateral connectivity. Our recent fish survey revealed a depleted species set, with only two of 19 historically documented species found. The density of brown trout was generally low, but positively correlated with the presence of cover. Thus, morphological improvements, e.g. through local river widening, offer extensive potential for the restoration of native fish assemblages, but will probably only be successful in combination with a more natural hydrological regime.