Ecosystem and biodiversity impacts of Three Gorges Dam

In this review, current advances on the impacts of Three Gorges Dam on surrounding ecosystem and biodiversity was outlined. The available literature archived in the database of ISI Web of Science was searched and presented the typical researches on the two aspects of the impact. In general, for ecosystem impact, water quality, sediment discharge, landslide stability and the effect on the coastal delta are widely debated; while for biodiversity impact, fish conservation, macroinvertebrate community, vegetation change, plant genetic diversity, and epidemic diseases are the most attractive. The conclusion was pointed out that the work on climate variability around the Dam areas is necessary, because it can serve as the intermediate impact to link the ecosystem change and biodiversity loss around the Dam.