Longitudinal connectivity improvement

General description

Longitudinal connectivity in rivers comprises three elements:

1. water (which usually is given unless the river falls completely dry)
2. fish and benthos
3. solid components as sediment and bedload

For 2. and 3. it should be decided on a profund consideration on environmental and socio-economic need, wether an improvement is required and which measure(s) are most efficient to improve river structure. Concerning environmental need it should be considered where best effect is given in local environment, climate protection (e.g. hydropower as renewable energy) and indirect effects such as irrigation.