The species composition, abundance and age structure of fish reflect the large-scale occurrence of habitat structures of importance for different life stages and the river continuity. Discharge modifications (impoundments, water intake, diversion) and thermal pollution also impact the species composition. The fish fauna along the entire course of the Rhine was analysed within the “Rhine 2020” programme during 2012 and 2013. All in all, today there are 64 fish species (including cyclostomata such as river and sea lamprey) in the Rhine, which corresponds to a considerable diversity. Apart from Atlantic sturgeon, all historically proven species are again detected.
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