Impacts on biodiversity of the Three Gorges Dam in China

Abstract

Impacts on biodiversity of the Three Gorges Dam in China.

We analyze the effects of the Three Gorges Dam (upper reaches of Yangtze River, Central China) on biodiversity. The dam will harbor the largest hydropower plant in the world, and will flood a 600 km2 area. It will result in the loss and/or fragmentation of many terrestrial habitats (including plants and animals) in a region that played a significant role as  a  glacial  refuge,  and  currently  harbors  many  endemic  and  threatened  taxa.  Negative  effects  on  downstream  biodiversity  are  also expected,  because  of  the  regression  of  the  riparian  wetlands  and  lateral  lakes.  Many  plant  and  animal  populations  (and  probably  entire species) may be lost if conservation measures are not properly implemented,  Alteration of the river flow will exert severe consequences on freshwater biodiversity, especially on migratory fishes such as two endangered sturgeons and one paddlefish, and the emblematic Yangtze River dolphin. Spillage of toxic substances into the river constitutes an additional threat.