GR: The decline of species on the islands is consistent with the theory of island biogeography. No ecologist would be surprised by the decline.
Archipelago of forest islands within the Balbina hydroelectric reservoir, Brazil. Image: Eduardo M. Venticinque via C. Peres
University of Stirling: New research led by the University of Stirling has found a global pattern of sustained species extinctions on islands within hydroelectric reservoirs.
Scientists have discovered that reservoir islands created by large dams across the world do not maintain the same levels of animal and plant life found prior to flooding.
Despite being hailed as conservation sanctuaries that protect species from hunting and deforestation, islands undergo sustained loss of species year on year after dam construction, a pattern otherwise known as ‘extinction debt’. These findings represent a significant environmental impact that is currently missing from assessment procedures for proposed new dams.
Source: Hydropower dams worldwide cause continued species extinction
