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How do you think 'o'opu feel about obstructions like dams in streams in Hawai'i?

A. They probably don't like them because 'o'opu think the word "dam" is a naughty word (and they're easily offended)
B. They probably like them because 'o'opu believe in hydroelectric power generation and flood control
C. They probably like them because 'o'opu would never want to enter fresh water, ever
D. They probably don't like them because 'o'opu must spend part of their lives in fresh water streams and part in the ocean

User Pdavis
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The 'o'opu fish in Hawaiian streams most likely view dams negatively as they rely on unobstructed migration routes between the ocean and freshwater for their life cycle. Dams disrupt this migration by altering river ecosystems, although they can provide benefits like hydroelectric power and flood control. Efforts for dam removal in certain regions support ecological restoration and fish diversity.

Step-by-step explanation:

'O'opu, which are a type of fish found in Hawaiian streams, likely do not appreciate obstructions like dams. This is because ‘o’opu must spend part of their lives in fresh water streams and part in the ocean. The necessity of swimming upstream and downstream at different life stages makes them highly dependent on the ability to migrate.

Moreover, dams can have a series of negative environmental impacts, such as obstructing fish migration routes, altering water quality, and affecting silt and sediment patterns. These changes may lead to a less hospitable environment for 'o'opu and other aquatic creatures that rely on dynamic river ecosystems for survival.

Dams can provide certain benefits, like flood control, hydroelectric power, and water storage, but these often come at the cost of ecological disruption. In particular, hydroelectric dams, while a source of renewable energy, can significantly obstruct the migration of anadromous species like 'o'opu and salmon, which need to move between fresh and salt water to complete their life cycles.

In response, some regions have pursued dam removal to restore natural water flows, improve water quality, and increase fish diversity, reflecting a shift towards valuing ecologically healthy, free-flowing rivers.

User TheMonkeyMan
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