A global review of the downstream effects of small impoundments on stream habitat conditions and macroinvertebrates

The downstream ecological effects of large impoundments have previously been reviewed; however, little is known about the downstream ecological effects of small man-made impoundments. In this review, we examine 94 papers focusing on the effects of small impoundments on stream habitat conditions and macroinvertebrates. Most studies (89.3%) address the effects of small impoundments on physical and chemical habitat conditions, while fewer studies (48.9%) address the effects on macroinvertebrates. In general, most studies report no significant downstream effects of small impoundments on physico-chemical variables, whereas macroinvertebrates richness and abundance increased or decreased. Mean effect sizes (as Cohen’s d) for physico-chemical variables range from −0.82 to 0.68 (small weir: −0.21 to 0.35; run-of-river dam: −0.82 to 0.64; low head dam: −0.49 to 0.68), and from −0.03 to 0.63 for macroinvertebrates abundance and richness. Our assessment of the published literature demonstrates the advantage of combining qualitative and quantitative analyses, and that, while small impoundments may have minimal significant effects on most physico-chemical variables, macroinvertebrates’ richness and density may be affected. This review is relevant for management and scientific communities to identify potential alterations of stream habitats and biota by small impoundments.