Possible environmental impact of the Three Gorges Project on oncomelania growth in Chongqing (China)

The Three Gorges Project has a mixed influence on hydrological conditions, such as slowing down water flow, increasing the area of periodic inundation mudflats, which may be beneficial to the growth of oncomelania. In this research, the possible impact of the Three Gorges Project on oncomelania growth in Chongqing reservoir area was determined by the digital elevation model (DEM) of 1:10000 in typical area and 1:50000 in the entire reservoir area. The research environmental factors included climatic condition, inundation time, and plant community in the periodic inundation area. The results showed that climatic condition and inundation time may be beneficial to oncomelania growth in this area. While, the Three Gorges reservoir impounded water in winter and disembogued water in summer, which was opposite to the growth condition of oncomelania. Therefore, it could be concluded that Three Gorges Project didn´t necessarily lead to the growth of oncomelania in the area.