生态学报2026，Vol.46Issue(7)：3361-3373,13.DOI:10.20103/j.stxb.202502240387
河流交汇水域水力特征与生态功能
Characteristics of hydrodynamics and ecological functions in river confluence
摘要
Abstract
The river confluence serves as critical nodes connecting large river networks and their affiliated waters,acting as hubs for material transport,energy transformation,and biological aggregation and dispersal.From the hydraulic perspective,analyzing the driving mechanisms of the confluence waters on the community structure and the maintenance of biodiversity helps to better understand their ecological functions and provide theoretical foundations for the conservation of endangered aquatic species and ecosystem restoration in the Yangtze River.This paper summarized the latest research on the river confluence,and expound their hydraulic characteristics and ecological functions systematically from the perspectives of habitat heterogeneity,flow regime diversity and biodiversity of the confluence.(1)The confluence formed a physically discontinuous template composed of shallow beaches and deep pools,characterized by complex structures and high habitat heterogeneity,and can serving as vital refuges and suitable habitats for aquatic organisms;(2)The confluence featured with complex hydraulic flow patterns,where shear layers,second flows,and stratification interact with the riverbed,jointly influenced the flow regime,sediment transport and riverbed morphology within the region,as well as material transportation and energy conversion,thereby acting as key drivers of biological aggregation and dispersal;(3)The confluences sustained exceptionally high biodiversity.Factors such as habitat heterogeneity,substrate particle filtration,bioflocculation-driven aggregation,and bed shielding collectively promote the diversity and abundance of invertebrates,while abundant prey resources and energy-efficient flow conditions made these zones crucial for fish and freshwater cetaceans in terms of breeding,foraging,migration,or dispersal.The confluence performed functions of adsorption-filtration and nutrient retention effects,where diverse flow regimes aggregate numerous aquatic organisms.Additionally,the Yangtze finless porpoise captured fish which moving between upstream-downstream or tributary-lake more efficiently by taking advantage of the vortices.In conclusion,the confluences exhibited diverse geomorphic features,complex hydrodynamic characteristics and pivotal ecological functions,making them essential areas for river ecosystem conservation and biodiversity protection.关键词
河流地貌学/水动力学/交汇水域/生物多样性Key words
fluvial geomorphology/hydrodynamics/river confluence/biodiversity引用本文复制引用
于道平,连玉喜,陈敏敏,张晓可,杨晓鸽..河流交汇水域水力特征与生态功能[J].生态学报,2026,46(7):3361-3373,13.基金项目
国家自然科学基金项目(32470539) （32470539）
安徽省教育厅水生生物保护创新团队专项基金项目(070-185003) （070-185003）
安徽省教育厅科研项目(2023AH030072) （2023AH030072）
