Longitudinal training dams (LTDs) in the river Waal are novel river training structures that protect the littoral zone from the adverse effects of navigation providing new habitats for riverine macroinvertebrates. In order to inform river management and to better understand their ecological value for native and alien mussel species, it is important to assess the habitat suitability of the protected LTD shore channels. We applied spatial hydroacoustics surveys consisting of side-scan sonar (SSS) and acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) of the substrate type, water depth and flow velocity in three shore channels in combination with species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) to predict habitat suitability for native and alien mussel species. SSDs allowed for the prediction of habitat suitability as a potentially occurring fraction (POF) of a species pool. High substrate type, water depth, and near-bottom flow velocity POFs were found for ≥ 70%, 100%, and 4–51% of the total shore channel area, respectively, suggesting that shore channels provide suitable habitat for both native and alien mussel species. To enhance the shore channels as habitat for native mussel species, we recommend increasing shallow areas dominated by fine (silt/clay) and sand substrate types with low near-bottom flow velocities (near 0 m/s). In contrast, the total area of hard substrate (e.g., boulders) in the shore channels should be reduced as it strongly favored invasive alien mussel species in our study. Future research should include additional abiotic parameters to enhance the habitat suitability predictions and compare the results for different riverine habitats.

瓦尔河中的纵向训练坝 (LTD) 是新型河流训练结构，可保护沿海地区免受航行的不利影响，为河流大型无脊椎动物提供新的栖息地。为了为河流管理提供信息并更好地了解它们对本地和外来贻贝物种的生态价值，重要的是评估受保护的 LTD 海岸通道的栖息地适宜性。我们应用空间水声调查，包括侧扫声纳 (SSS) 和声学多普勒电流剖面仪 (ADCP) 的基底类型、水深和三个海岸通道中的流速，并结合物种敏感性分布 (SSD) 来预测栖息地适宜性本地和外来贻贝物种。SSD 允许将栖息地适宜性预测为物种库的潜在发生部分 (POF)。在总海岸通道面积的 ≥ 70%、100% 和 4-51% 中发现了高底物类型、水深和近底流速 POF，这表明海岸通道为本地和外来生物提供了合适的栖息地贻贝种类。为了加强海岸通道作为本地贻贝物种的栖息地，我们建议增加以近底流速低（接近 0 m/s）的细（淤泥/粘土）和沙质基质类型为主的浅水区。相比之下，在我们的研究中，海岸通道中硬质基质（例如，巨石）的总面积应该减少，因为它强烈有利于外来入侵贻贝物种。