Impact of dams on global biodiversity: A scientometric analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4013/nbc.2016.112.07Abstract
The extensive damming of rivers around the world, regardless their economic purpose, has changed the river landscapes and led to serious ecological consequences for the biological organisms associated with these ecosystems. In the present study, a scientometric analysis was performed aiming to assess temporal trends of the scientific production related to environmental concerns about the impact of large dams on biodiversity worldwide. On this context, a bibliographic review of the scientific works of this area, using the research platform “Web of Science” searching for the keywords “dam impact” or “dam effect” and “bio*diversity” in the subject line. The results showed that, despite the publication number increase in the field, these studies are clearly more abundant in temperate regions, which have less biological diversity. Although much of the planned hydroelectric expansion is expected to occur in the tropics, which have most of the world’s biodiversity, the biological knowledge about the species in these places is still very little. The lack of studies in these areas may mask the impact intensity and extent of dams on biodiversity and also induce decision-makers to adopt inefficient management strategies.
Keywords: Freshwater ecosystem, review, reservoir.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
I grant the journal Neotropical Biology and Conservation the first publication of my article, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution license (which allows sharing of work, recognition of authorship and initial publication in this journal).
I confirm that my article is not being submitted to another publication and has not been published in its entirely on another journal. I take full responsibility for its originality and I will also claim responsibility for charges from claims by third parties concerning the authorship of the article.
I also agree that the manuscript will be submitted according to the journal’s publication rules described above.