Author(s): P. Piro; M. Carbone; G. Tomei
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Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: In fluvial processes the knowledge of the Fluvial Functional Index (FFI) is important to evaluate the functionality of the fluvial ecosystem through the analysis of different components: biological indicators as well as all the other chemical, physical, bacteriological, and geo-morphological information. This approach is justified by the principles of fluvial ecology, where the river is considered as a succession of ecosystems (River Continuum Concept-RCC). The aim of the research is to demonstrate that FFI procedure can constitute a useful tool to direct river intervention to reduce the negative effects due to the construction of cross works. FFI tab, as it is known, consists of fourteen questions about the principal eco-hydraulics characteristics of a watercourse; for each question it is possible to express one preference between the four answers proposed. The final score is obtained by adding the partial scores with the aim to know the levels of functionality (FL). The sampling campaigns were conducted in the vegetative period and in deep and low water. The method was applied to the Savuto river (Calabria-Italy). The study has underlined the presence of a series of weirs along the river that must be equipped with fishways to limit repercussions on fishes. The positioning and the design of these structures were performed also by considering the results of the FFI method, that allowed forecasting of the effects that these structures could determine on the functionality of the river itself.
Year: 2010