Short-term Effects of Flow and Sediment on Chinese Sturgeon Spawning

Chinese sturgeon prefers to spawn in rocky substrates with favorable hydrodynamic conditions. The short-term effects of the flow speeds and sediment concentrations on Chinese sturgeon spawning were studied. According to the statistical results, about 90% of the spawning events during 1983-2000 occurred after a couple of days during which the daily velocity speeds and sediment concentrations decreased gradually. On the other hand, the larger fluctuations of velocity and sediment may have negative effects on Chinese sturgeon spawning. For these reasons, it is necessary to enhance the research of eco-regulation for the Three Gorges Project and Gezhouba Project on the Yangtze River.