Abstract: River habitat is an important factor to maintain ecological integrity and river health. According to environmental characteristics of Puhe River Basin, a comprehensive river habitat assessment index system was established by using analytic hierarchy process. Habitat quality status of 25 sections of Puhe River Basin was evaluated. Correlation between the habitat quality indicators and water quality parameters were further evaluated. The results showed that: (1) Significant differences in habitat quality were found among the different sections. One section achieved the preferable level, 5 good, 16 fair, and 3 poor; (2) The comprehensive river habitat assessment index was negatively correlated with TP, NH₄⁺-N, COD_Cr, and other habitat quality indices were also correlated with the water quality index. It was indicated that habitat quality was a major factor impacting the water quality.

Key words: sexual dimorphism, ecological adaptation, sexual selection