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The Three Gorges Dam: an ecological perspective
Author(s) -
Wu Jianguo,
Huang Jianhui,
Han Xingguo,
Gao Xianming,
He Fangliang,
Jiang Mingxi,
Jiang Zhigang,
Primack Richard B.,
Shen Zehao
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
frontiers in ecology and the environment
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.918
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1540-9309
pISSN - 1540-9295
DOI - 10.1890/1540-9295(2004)002[0241:ttgdae]2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - biodiversity , three gorges , ecology , china , habitat , geography , ecosystem , environmental resource management , habitat fragmentation , aquatic biodiversity research , fragmentation (computing) , environmental science , biology , engineering , archaeology , geotechnical engineering
The Three Gorges Dam in China is the largest dam ever built. Its impacts on the biodiversity and ecological processes in the region are causing concern to ecologists worldwide. The dam and associated environmental alterations may result in a number of regional changes in terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, as well as in ecosystem structure and functioning. The dam may also provide a rare opportunity for a grand‐scale experiment in habitat fragmentation, allowing ecologists to develop and test a series of hypotheses concerning the dynamics of biodiversity and biotic communities and their responses to disturbances. Such research can help improve conservation practices, stimulate international collaborations, and promote public education on the environment.