An improved habitat model to evaluate the impact of water conservancy projects on Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) spawning sites in the Yangtze River, China

•The improved habitat model accounts for both habitat quantity and quality.•Habitat fragmentation and connectivity affected fish habitat quality.•The improved habitat model is used as an intermediate step to evaluate the impact of water conservancy projects on fish habitats.•Optimum water discharge and temperature are given for sturgeon spawning sites.