Abstract: A fish habitat suitability model was developed using fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method by coupling water environment model. Indexes in landscape ecology were introduced into the model to evaluate the quality of fish habitat based on the output of HSI (Habitat Suitability Index) model. A compound channel in the middle reach of Lijiang River was selected for the case study on Spinibarbus hollandi. The HSI model for Spinibarbus hollandi in its spawning period was established. Evaluations of fish habitat based on the modelling results showed that WUA (Weighted Usable Area) cannot be the only index to precisely reflect habitat quality. Other Indexes such as the number and cohesiveness of patch and the degree of connectivity should also be included. The evaluation method in this research can be a helpful reference for fish habitat protection.

Key words: habitat suitability, indexes of landscape ecology, habitat quality