Work

Hydromorphological Restoration and Macroinvertebrate Response in a Mountain River: A Case Study from the Upper Raba River

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: River restoration is increasingly promoted as a nature-based solution, but evidence of its ecological effectiveness in mountain gravel-bed rivers remains limited. Macroinvertebrate responses to hydromorphological restoration are variable and are still rarely evaluated using an integrated approach combining taxonomic, biotic index, and trait-based components. This study examined whether the hydromorphological restoration of the upper Raba River was associated with measurable environmental and ecological differences between the restored and unrestored sections. Six river sections were analyzed, including three restored and three unrestored sections. The environmental characterisation included hydromorphological and physicochemical variables. Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled in shallow marginal and main-current habitats, and the analyses included assemblage metrics, biotic indices, taxonomic composition, indicator taxa, and functional traits. The restored sections showed greater channel complexity, including a larger active channel zone, a larger number of active channels, and a coarser substrate. These differences were accompanied by higher Shannon diversity, higher values of the Polish Biological Monitoring Working Party index (BMWP-PL), a higher percentage of individuals of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (%EPT), distinct assemblage composition, and shifts in indicator taxa and selected functional traits. The results highlight the value of multidimensional assessment frameworks to evaluate the effects of restoration on mountain rivers.

Source: Sustainability

DOI: 10.3390/su18126266

Authors: Renata Kędzior, Natalia Michnowska

Institution: University of Agriculture in Krakow

Language: English

Topic: Freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and ecology

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896