Behavioral Responses of Migratory Fish to Environmental Cues: Evidence from the Heishui River

Abstract

Hydropower infrastructure has profoundly altered riverine connectivity, posing challenges to the migratory behavior of aquatic species. This study examined the post-passage migration efficiency of Schizothorax wangchiachii in a regulated river system, focusing on upstream and downstream reaches of the Songxin Hydropower Station on the Heishui River, a tributary of the Jinsha River. We used radio-frequency identification (RFID) tagging to track individuals after fishway passage and coupled this with environmental monitoring data. A Cox proportional hazards model was applied to identify key abiotic drivers of migration success and to develop a predictive framework. The upstream success rate was notably low (15.6%), with a mean passage time of 438 h, while downstream success reached 81.1%, with an average of 142 h. Fish exhibited distinct diel migration patterns; upstream movements were largely nocturnal, whereas downstream migration mainly occurred during daylight. Water temperature (HR = 0.535, p = 0.028), discharge (HR = 0.801, p = 0.050), water level (HR = 0.922, p = 0.040), and diel timing (HR = 0.445, p = 0.088) emerged as significant factors shaping the upstream movement. Our findings highlight that fishways alone may not ensure functional connectivity restoration. Instead, coordinated habitat interventions in upstream tributaries, alongside improved passage infrastructure, are crucial. A combined telemetry and modeling approach offers valuable insights for river management in fragmented systems.

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