Integration of water quality in the habitat simulation approach of an Environmental Flow Assessment (EFA)

Hazizi Esa, Asyirah Abdul Rahim, Suhaila Ab. Hamid

Abstract


Determining environmental flow (EF) using the habitat simulation approach without considering water quality does not accurately reflect true ecosystem health. This study integrates water quality components into the determination of EF at Lata Sempeneh, Perak, upstream of the Kurau River. Six cross-sections were established and data on hydraulic variables, water quality parameters and aquatic insects were collected from October 2018 to September 2019. The mean annual flow (MAF) was 1.67 m³/s and aquatic insects (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, and Odonata (EPTO)) were selected as the ecological indicators. Habitat Suitability Curves (HSCs) for velocity, water depth and substrate were developed and both slope and curvature methods were applied to determine the EF. The EPTO taxa showed the highest preference for velocities of 0.21–0.40 m/s, depths of 0.21–0.40 m and substrate sizes ranging from −2.01 phi to −4.00 phi. The EF values obtained from the slope and curvature methods were 0.73 m³/s and 1.03 m³/s, corresponding to 43.8% and 61.5% of the MAF, respectively. Water quality validation indicated that an EF of 61.5% of the MAF was most appropriate. This flow ensures that recreational water conditions at Lata Sempeneh comply with the National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia, specifically Class II. The inclusion of water quality in Environmental Flow Assessment (EFA) resulted in an EF that is closer to the MAF, thereby helping to maintain ecosystem integrity and ensure its continued functioning.

 

Keywords: EF, EFA, environmental flow, environmental flow assessment, EPTO, flow


Keywords


EF, EFA, environmental flow, environmental flow assessment, EPTO, flow

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