Biodiversity Loss Due to Construction of Dams and Hydropower Projects and Its Impact on Aquatic Ecosystems

Abstract

Due to the growing need for freshwater resources, water diversion projects are becoming an essential part of international water management plans. While hydropower is considered renewable, its environmental impact includes altered river flows, disrupted fish migration, and sediment retention affecting ecosystems. Water diversion projects impact aquatic flora and fauna and their habitats. Sustainable water management is crucial, considering the potential effects such as variations in temperature, sediment movement, and flow patterns caused by dam construction. In aquatic habitats building hydropower projects reduced connectivity, altered nutrient dynamics, and habitat fragmentation can decrease organism diversity and numbers, posing a significant threat to biodiversity in affected areas. A comprehensive approach that includes adaptive management and environmental impact evaluations is crucial for water diversion projects, as this abstract highlights. Addressing water diversion impacts on biodiversity is essential for long-term environmental sustainability.