Projekt

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Hydropower (HP) is the main source of electricity in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The need for constructing new dams is higher than ever. However, for almost all HP dams, little attention was paid to environmental and social impacts. This study aims to assess the environmental flow of two impounded rivers of the Congo Basin in order to suggest better water resources use and obtain useful insights to enhance the sustainability of future projects. Thus three HP dams are selected in two different eco-geographical settings, namely Ruzizi I and II hydropower dams and Tshopo dam. The flow regime, nutrient and solids retention by the dams, macro-benthic invertebrate communities, erosion and sediment loading as well as human impacts will be analysed. Water quality, algal total biomass, aquatic macrophytes, macrobenthic and fish diversity will be assessed at different sites (habitats and substrates) across the rivers upstream and downstream the dams. Faunal dynamics and threats, ecological and social importance of the rivers will be addressed using a participatory method in a survey among the riparian communities. The key expected outcomes include the determination of the best environmental - management practices of HP as well as the social and ecological importance of these rivers. It will be possible to determine the types of species which are adaptive to the new dam-induced conditions and those most vulnerable. Benthic faunal turnover will be calculated and interpreted in terms of community changes. The project will enhance the capacity of local universities in EIA and allow building up environmental awareness.

• Prof. Dr. Hartmut Stützel

  Universität Hannover
  Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät
  Institut für Gartenbauliche Produktionssysteme
  Abteilung Systemmodellierung Gemüsebau
  Hannover
  

• Dr. Fabrice Amisi Muvundja

  Université de Kisangani
  Faculty of Science
  Department of Hydrobiology
  Kisangani, Province Orientale
  Kongo (Demokratische Republik - Kinshasa)
  

• Normalized Difference Turbidity Index (NDTI) for turbidity analyses in the reservoirs of two dammed tropical rivers, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

• Quantification of erosion in selected catchment areas of the Ruzizi River (DRC) using the (R)USLE model.

• The land-water-energy nexus at the Ruzizi River dams (Lake Kivu outflow, African Great Lakes Region): The land-water-energy nexus at the Ruzizi River dams (Lake Kivu Outflow, African Great Lakes Region):Status, challenges...

• Family-Level Bio-Indication Does not Detect the Impacts of Dams on Macroinvertebrate Communities in a Low-Diversity Tropical River.