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USGS2012

Effectiveness of common fish screen materials to protect lamprey ammocoetes

Understanding the effects of irrigation diversions on populations of Pacific lamprey Lampetra tridentata in the Columbia River basin is needed for their recovery. We tested the effectiveness of five common fish screen materials for excluding lamprey ammocoetes: interlock (IL), vertical bar (VB), perforated plate (PP), and 12-gauge and 14-gauge wire cloth (WC12) and (WC14). When fish (28–153 mm) were exposed for 60 min to screen panels perpendicular to an approach velocity of 12 cm/s in a recirculating flume, the percentage of ammocoetes entrained (i.e., passed through the screen) was 26% for the IL, 18% for the PP, 33% for the VB, 62% for the WC14, and 65% for the WC12 screens. For all screens, most fish were entrained within the first 15–20 min. Fish length significantly influenced entrainment, with the PP, VB, and IL screens preventing fish greater than 50–65 mm from entrainment and the WC14 and WC12 screens preventing entrainment of fish greater than 90–110 mm. Fish of all sizes repeatedly became impinged (i.e., contacting the screen for more than 1 s) on the screens, with the frequency of impingement events increasing during the first 5 min and becoming relatively stable thereafter. Impingement ranges were highest on the IL screen (36–62%), lowest on the WC14 and WC12 screens (13–31%), and intermediate on the PP and VB screens (23–54%). However, the WC14 and WC12 screens had fewer and larger fish remaining as time elapsed because so many were entrained. For all screen types, injuries were rare and minor, and no fish died after overnight posttest holding. Our results indicate that wire cloth screens should be replaced, where practical, with perforated plate, vertical bar, or interlocking bar screens to reduce lamprey entrainment at water diversions.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management↗

USGS1988

Pesticide contamination and hatching success of waterbirds in Mississippi

Waterfowl wintering on the Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) were contaminated (ltoreq 4 ppm wet wt) with dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (DDE), but residues were below levels known to affect waterfowl. Eggs of some nesting waterbirds contained higher than expected levels of DDE, especially those of green-backed herons ( Butorides striatus ), ranging up to 43 ppm wet weight. Hatching success (P < 0.05) and eggshell thickness (P < 0.05) in green-backed herons and anhingas ( Anhinga anhinga ) were negatively correlated with DDE in the eggs, and shell thinning (P < 0.05) was evident 12-13 years after DDT was banned in the United States. The threshold level of DDE determined necessary for reduced hatching success in green-backed heron eggs was 5.1-10 ppm wet weight. These results further increase our ability to interpret DDE concentrations in waterbirds and predict their potential effects on productivity.

Mississippi↗

USGS2017

Spatial demographic models to inform conservation planning of golden eagles in renewable energy landscapes

Spatial demographic models can help guide monitoring and management activities targeting at-risk species, even in cases where baseline data are lacking. Here, we provide an example of how site-specific changes in land use and anthropogenic stressors can be incorporated into a spatial demographic model to investigate effects on population dynamics of Golden Eagles ( Aquila chrysaetos ). Our study focused on a population of Golden Eagles exposed to risks associated with rapid increases in renewable energy development in southern California, U.S.A. We developed a spatially explicit, individual-based simulation model that integrated empirical data on demography of Golden Eagles with spatial data on the arrangement of nesting habitats, prey resources, and planned renewable energy development sites. Our model permitted simulated eagles of different stage-classes to disperse, establish home ranges, acquire prey resources, prospect for breeding sites, and reproduce. The distribution of nesting habitats, prey resources, and threats within each individual's home range influenced movement, reproduction, and survival. We used our model to explore potential effects of alternative disturbance scenarios, and proposed conservation strategies, on the future distribution and abundance of Golden Eagles in the study region. Results from our simulations suggest that probable increases in mortality associated with renewable energy infrastructure (e.g., collisions with wind turbines and vehicles, electrocution on power poles) could have negative consequences for population trajectories, but that site-specific conservation actions could reduce the magnitude of negative effects. Our study demonstrates the use of a flexible and expandable modeling framework to incorporate spatially dependent processes when determining relative effects of proposed management options to Golden Eagles and their habitats.

California↗

USGS2006

A genetic algorithm to reduce stream channel cross section data

A genetic algorithm (GA) was used to reduce cross section data for a hypothetical example consisting of 41 data points and for 10 cross sections on the Kootenai River. The number of data points for the Kootenai River cross sections ranged from about 500 to more than 2,500. The GA was applied to reduce the number of data points to a manageable dataset because most models and other software require fewer than 100 data points for management, manipulation, and analysis. Results indicated that the program successfully reduced the data. Fitness values from the genetic algorithm were lower (better) than those in a previous study that used standard procedures of reducing the cross section data. On average, fitnesses were 29 percent lower, and several were about 50 percent lower. Results also showed that cross sections produced by the genetic algorithm were representative of the original section and that near-optimal results could be obtained in a single run, even for large problems. Other data also can be reduced in a method similar to that for cross section data.

Journal of the American Water Resources Associatio↗

USGS2020

Expert-informed habitat suitability analysis for at-risk species assessment and conservation planning

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is responsible for reviewing the biological status of hundreds of species to determine federal status designations under the Endangered Species Act. The longleaf pine Pinus palustris ecological system supports many priority at-risk species designated for review, including five species of herpetofauna: gopher tortoise Gopherus polyphemus , southern hognose snake Heterodon simus , Florida pine snake Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus , gopher frog Lithobates ( Rana ) capito , and striped newt Notophthalmus perstriatus . To inform status decisions and conservation planning, we developed habitat suitability models to 1) identify habitat features that best predict species presence and 2) estimate the amount and distribution of suitable habitat across each species' range under current conditions. We incorporated expert judgment from federal, state, and other partners to capture variation in ecological settings across species' ranges, prioritize predictor variables to test in models, mitigate data limitations by informing the selection of pseudoabsence points, qualitatively evaluate model estimates, and improve the likelihood that experts will trust and use model predictions for conservation. Soil characteristics, land cover, and fire interval strongly influenced habitat suitability for all species. Suitable habitat was distributed on known species strongholds, as well as private lands without known species records. Between 4.7% (gopher frog) and 14.6% (gopher tortoise) of the area in a species' range was classified as suitable habitat, and between 28.1% (southern hognose snake) and 47.5% (gopher frog) of suitable habitat was located in patches larger than 1 km 2 (100 ha) on publicly owned lands. By overlaying predictions for each species, we identified areas of suitable habitat for multiple species on protected and unprotected lands. These results have direct applications to management and conservation planning: partners can tailor site-level management based on attributes associated with high habitat suitability for species of concern; allocate survey effort in areas with suitable habitat but no known species records; and identify priority areas for management, land acquisitions, or other strategies based on the distribution of species records, suitable habitat, and land protection status. These results can aid regional partners in implementing effective conservation strategies and inform status designation decisions of the USFWS.

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi,↗

USGS2021

Emerging control strategies for integrated pest management of invasive carps

Invasive carps are ecologically and economically problematic fish species in many large river basins in the United States and pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems throughout much of North America. Four species of invasive carps: black carp ( Mylopharyngodon piceus ), grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella ), silver carp ( Hypophthalmichthys molitrix ) and bighead carp ( Hypophthalmichthys nobilis ), are particularly concerning for native ecosystems because they occupy and disrupt a variety of food and habitat niches. In response, natural resource agencies are developing integrated pest management (IPM) plans to mitigate invasive carps. Control tools are one key component within a successful IPM program and have been a focal point for development by governmental agencies and academic researchers. For example, behavioural deterrents and barriers that block migratory pathways could limit carps range expansion into new areas, while efficient removal methods could suppress established carp populations. However, control tools are sometimes limited in practice due to uncertainty with deployment, efficacy and availability. This review provides an overview of several emerging modelling approaches and control technologies that could inform and support future invasive carp IPM programs.

Journal of Vertebrate Biology↗

USGS2018

Precision of four otolith techniques for estimating age of white perch from a thermally altered reservoir

The White Perch Morone americana is an invasive species in many Midwestern states and is widely distributed in reservoir systems, yet little is known about the species' age structure and population dynamics. White Perch were first observed in Sooner Reservoir, a thermally altered cooling reservoir in Oklahoma, by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation in 2006. It is unknown how thermally altered systems like Sooner Reservoir may affect the precision of White Perch age estimates. Previous studies have found that age structures from Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides and Bluegills Lepomis macrochirus from thermally altered reservoirs had false annuli, which increased error when estimating ages. Our objective was to quantify the precision of White Perch age estimates using four sagittal otolith preparation techniques (whole, broken, browned, and stained). Because Sooner Reservoir is thermally altered, we also wanted to identify the best month to collect a White Perch age sample based on aging precision. Ages of 569 White Perch (20–308 mm TL) were estimated using the four techniques. Age estimates from broken, stained, and browned otoliths ranged from 0 to 8 years; whole‐view otolith age estimates ranged from 0 to 7 years. The lowest mean coefficient of variation (CV) was obtained using broken otoliths, whereas the highest CV was observed using browned otoliths. July was the most precise month (lowest mean CV) for estimating age of White Perch, whereas April was the least precise month (highest mean CV). These results underscore the importance of knowing the best method to prepare otoliths for achieving the most precise age estimates and the best time of year to obtain those samples, as these factors may affect other estimates of population dynamics.

Oklahoma↗

USGS1991

Home range and movements of juvenile Puerto Rican parrots

We studied home range and movements of 15 radio-marked, juvenile Puerto Rican parrots ( Amazona vittata ) fledging from wild nests during summer and fall, 1985-87. When juvenile parrots remained in the nest valley, home ranges during 1986 ( x̄ = 32 ± 10 [SE] ha, n = 4) were larger ( P = 0.0079) than during 1987 ( x̄ = 13 ± 6 ha, n = 5). After radio-marked parrots integrated into adult flocks, home ranges during 1986 ( x̄ = 1,075 ± 135 ha, n = 3) were similar ( P = 0.10) to 1987 ( x̄ = 416 ± 62 ha, n = 2). Juvenile parrots restricted their movements to nest valleys an average of 58 ± 29 days following fledging. After joining adult flocks, juvenile parrots routinely flew between the east and west slopes of the Luquillo Mountains but did not exhibit a seasonal pattern of movement. We recommend that captive-raised, juvenile parrots used in release programs be ≥ 5 months old to ensure they are mature enough to integrate into wild flocks.

Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico↗

USGS2010

Abundance and sexual size dimorphism of the giant gartersnake (Thamnophis gigas) in the Sacramento valley of California

The Giant Gartersnake (Thamnophis gigas) is restricted to wetlands of the Central Valley of California. Because of wetland loss in this region, the Giant Gartersnake is both federally and state listed as threatened. We conducted markrecapture studies of four populations of the Giant Gartersnake in the Sacramento Valley (northern Central Valley), California, to obtain baseline data on abundance and density to assist in recovery planning for this species. We sampled habitats that ranged from natural, unmanaged marsh to constructed managed marshes and habitats associated with rice agriculture. Giant Gartersnake density in a natural wetland (1.90 individuals/ha) was an order of magnitude greater than in a managed wetland subject to active season drying (0.17 individuals/ha). Sex ratios at all sites were not different from 1 1, and females were longer and heavier than males. Females had greater body condition than males, and individuals at the least disturbed sites had significantly greater body condition than individuals at the managed wetland. The few remaining natural wetlands in the Central Valley are important, productive habitat for the Giant Gartersnake, and should be conserved and protected. Wetlands constructed and restored for the Giant Gartersnake should be modeled after the permanent, shallow wetlands representative of historic Giant Gartersnake habitat. ?? 2010 Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.

Journal of Herpetology↗

USGS2025

Movements and habitat use vary across the Rocky Mountain Population of trumpeter swans

The Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) of trumpeter swans Cygnus buccinator (hereafter, swans) in North America includes breeders in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA) and other western states (together, United States segment) and western provinces of Canada (Canada segment). Conservation concern for the United States segment stems from its slow population growth and the resident nature of GYA swans, which intermingle with migrating Canada segment swans in wintering habitats. Thus, understanding variation in migratory behavior and habitat use by swans in the two population segments can inform how management actions may affect the RMP. We used telemetry data from 55 RMP swans captured in the western United States to understand their movements and habitat use. For 45 swans (60 swan-years) that spent the summer in the United States, distance traveled between breeding and wintering areas ranged from 0 km (i.e., no migration in 22% of swan-years) to 473 km, with an average of nonzero movements of 118 ± 95 km (SD). Swans traveled farther distances when maximum temperatures were lower. For 10 swans (16 swan-years) that spent the summer in Canada, five appeared to molt but not to nest, and four appeared to nest in one or more years. Migration timing was similar for molting and nesting swans. All five molting swans and one nesting swan spent at least one previous summer in the GYA. Migratory connectivity of all birds was weaker in years when more swans migrated to Canada for the summer. During the breeding season, Canada swans used low-elevation lakes, but United States swans used high-elevation lakes. Both groups of swans increased use of crop fields outside of the breeding season. Our study shows interchange between the United States and Canada segments, a finding that challenges the efficacy of existing population designations. Furthermore, variation in movement behavior of GYA swans suggests possible actions, such as restoring winter habitats to increase swan distribution and migration, to support swan conservation.

Rocky Mountains↗

USGS2006

Experimental infection of the endangered bonytail chub (Gila elegans) with the Asian fish tapeworm (Bothriocephalus acheilognathi): impacts on survival, growth, and condition

Bothriocephalus acheilognathi Yamaguti, 1934, a tapeworm known to be pathogenic to some fish species, has become established in the endangered humpback chub (Gila cypha Miller, 1964) in Grand Canyon, USA, following the tapeworm’s introduction into the Colorado River system. The potential impact of this tapeworm on humpback chub was studied by exposing the closely related bonytail chub (Gila elegans Baird and Girard, 1853) to the parasite under a range of conditions that included potential stressors of humpback chub in their natal waters, such as abrupt temperature change and a limited food base. Survival of infected fish under low food rations was considerably lower than that of control fish, and mortality of infected fish began 20 days earlier. Growth of infected fish was significantly reduced, and negative changes in health condition indices were found. No significant negative impacts were revealed from the synergistic effects between temperature shock and infection. Bothriocephalus acheilognathi does present a potential threat to humpback chub in Grand Canyon and should be considered, along with conventional concerns involving altered flow regimes and predation, when management decisions are made concerning conservation of this endangered species.

Arizona↗

USGS2026

Biological, environmental, and geomorphological factors influencing reach-specific survival of spring Chinook Salmon smolts upstream of the Columbia–Snake River hydrosystem

Objective Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. are exhibiting catastrophic declines throughout much of the Pacific Northwest, and juvenile mortality contributions are disproportionately high. Many Pacific salmon smolt populations are exhibiting high natal stream mortality; however, detailed natal stream reach-specific survival knowledge is lacking. Our objectives were to estimate natal stream reach-specific survival and identify influential covariates for spring Chinook Salmon O. tshawytscha smolts. An additional objective was to evaluate (i.e., estimate postrestoration cumulative survival) a novel and strategic large-scale river restoration approach (i.e., stream confluence restoration) in two Pacific Northwest spring Chinook Salmon natal streams. Methods Using radiotelemetry techniques during March–June (2011–2017), we estimated natal stream reach-specific survival for spring Chinook Salmon smolts in Catherine Creek and the Grande Ronde River, northeast Oregon. We examined the interrelated influences of temporal, biological, environmental, and geomorphological covariates on the behavior, travel time, and reach-specific survival of spring Chinook Salmon smolts that were emigrating through two hydrologically altered natal streams in the interior Columbia River basin. For each natal stream smolt tag-group, Cormack–Jolly–Seber reach-specific survival estimates that were adjusted for premature tag failure (i.e., bias-corrected) were generated. Subsequently, smolt effects were estimated using reach-specific travel times and survival estimates coupled with individual time-varying covariates from radio-tagged smolts and occupied reaches using an existing predator–prey model (i.e., mean free-path length [ XT ] model). Complementary population-specific principal coordinate analyses (PCoAs) were conducted to facilitate visualization of multicovariate resemblances in ordination space. Last, we employed our best-fitting XT model to model cumulative changes in smolt survival that were associated with a large-scale stream channel restoration scenario (i.e., restoration of the historical Catherine Creek and Grande Ronde River confluence). Results In aggregate, Catherine Creek smolts exhibited high mortality throughout Catherine Creek but near-100% survival upon entering the Grande Ronde River. In contrast, Grande Ronde River smolts generally exhibited low mortality upstream from the Grande Ronde Valley and high mortality throughout the Grande Ronde Valley. Our best-fitting XT model indicated that smolt survival was positively correlated with discharge, body size, and current velocity but negatively correlated with avian predation. Natural-origin smolts from Catherine Creek displayed higher λ-values (i.e., distance between predator–prey encounters) than their significantly larger and faster emigrating hatchery conspecifics, indicating that hatchery smolts may be more susceptible to predation. Our population-specific PCoAs further revealed that novel water (i.e., unique water chemistry) and emigration rate were the strongest predictors of reach occupancy in multivariate ordination space. Under a stream restoration scenario of restoring the historical hydrological template (i.e., restored channel configuration), our best-fitting XT model predicted changes in population-specific cumulative survivals to the lower Grande Ronde Valley (Imbler, Oregon) ranging from −38.4% to 69.0% for Grande Ronde River and Catherine Creek spring Chinook Salmon smolts, respectively. Conclusions Our best-fitting XT model and PCoAs identified the relative importance of biological, environmental, and geomorphological factors to both natural- and hatchery-origin Chinook Salmon smolt survival in two neighboring interior natal streams in the Columbia River basin. Our research indicates that concurrent habitat restoration and fish management strategies, including focused attention on smolt-rearing nursery habitat restoration, piscivorous avian control plans, adaptive management strategies for hatchery smolt releases, and discharge and novel water regime restoration projects, may yield survival benefits to “in-basin” Chinook Salmon smolts. Our research can inform origin-type-specific Chinook Salmon smolt management, habitat restoration, and future research decisions throughout the upper Grande Ronde River subbasin and potentially the Pacific Northwest.

Oregon, Washington↗

USGS1987

Spatial relations between sympatric coyotes and red foxes in North Dakota

Spatial relations between coyotes ( Canis latrans ) and red foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ) on a 360-km2 area in North Dakota were studied during 1977-78. Coyote families occupied large (mean = 61.2 km2), relatively exclusive territories that encompassed about one-half of the study area. Fox families occupied much smaller (mean = 11.9 km2), relatively exclusive, territories that overlapped perimeters of coyote territories and/or encompassed area unoccupied by coyotes. No fox family lived totally within a coyote territory, but 3 fox families lived within the 153.6-km2 home range of an unattached yearling male coyote. Both coyotes and foxes, from families with overlapping territories, tended to use their overlap areas less than was expected by amount of overlap. Encounters between radio-equipped coyotes and foxes from families with overlapping territories occurred less often than was expected by chance. Foxes living near coyotes exhibited considerable tenacity to their territories, and no monitored fox was killed by coyotes during 2,518 fox-days of radio surveillance. A hypothesis for coyote-induced fox population declines, based largely on fox avoidance mechanisms, is presented.

North Dakota↗

USGS2011

Resource selection by black-footed ferrets in South Dakota and Montana

The black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), once extinct in the wild, remains one of the most critically endangered mammals in North America despite 18 years of reintroduction attempts. Because black-footed ferrets are specialized predators of prairie dogs (Cynomys sp.), a better understanding of how black-footed ferrets select resources might provide insight into how best to identify and manage reintroduction sites. We monitored ferret resource selection at two reintroduction sites with different densities of prairie dog populations-one that contained a high density of prairie dogs (Conata Basin, South Dakota) and one that was lower (UL Bend, Montana). We evaluated support for hypotheses about ferret resource selection as related to the distribution of active burrows used by black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus), interactions between ferrets, and habitat edge effects. We found support for all three factors within both populations; however, they affected ferret resource selection differently at each site. Ferrets at Conata Basin tended to select areas with high prairie dog burrow density, closer to the colony edge, and that overlapped other ferret ranges. In contrast, ferrets at UL Bend tended not to select areas of high active prairie dog burrow density, avoided areas close to edge habitat, and females avoided areas occupied by other ferrets. The differences observed between the two sites might be best explained by prairie dog densities, which were higher at Conata Basin (119.3 active burrows per ha) than at UL Bend (44.4 active burrows per ha). Given the positive growth of ferret populations at Conata Basin, management that increases the density of prairie dogs might enhance ferret success within natural areas. To achieve long-term recovery of ferrets in the wild, conservationists should increasingly work across and outside natural area boundaries to increase prairie dog populations.

Natural Areas Journal↗

USGS2019

Elk forage and risk tradeoffs during the fall archery season

During late summer and fall, elk ( Cervus canadensis ) need access to adequate nutrition to support physiological requirements for reproduction and overwinter survival. The archery hunting season often occurs during this period and can affect distributions of elk as they seek areas that minimize perceived harvest risk. Areas that confer lower harvest risk may provide relatively low‐value nutrition, resulting in a potential tradeoff between minimizing risk and accessing adequate forage. We used radio‐collar data collected from female elk during late summer and fall (Aug–Oct) and estimated resource selection models to evaluate the extent of this potential risk‐nutrition tradeoff. To evaluate if elk exposed to a greater hunting risk altered selection for forage resources, we assessed the relationship between individuals’ selection coefficients for forage and the proportion of their late‐summer‐fall home range accessible to hunters (our metric of hunting risk). Our results indicate that during the archery season, elk with higher‐risk home ranges selected more strongly for areas farther from motorized routes than elk with lower‐risk home ranges. Regardless of the level of risk, however, elk maintained or increased selection for areas with higher forage quality, suggesting that elk did not compromise access to nutritional resources during the archery season. Elk with higher‐risk home ranges were also exposed to the poorest nutrition and increased their selection for areas with higher forage quality more strongly than elk with lower‐risk home ranges during the hunting season. Elk with lower‐risk home ranges had access to the highest nutrition, which may be due to the availability of concentrated sources of high‐quality forage from irrigated agricultural areas on private lands that restricted hunter access. Resource agencies interested in encouraging elk to remain on public lands during the hunting seasons might consider closing motorized travel during the archery season to increase security on public lands, limiting hunter pressure on public lands, improving forage quality on public lands, and working with private land owners to enhance hunter accessibility and restrict elk access to high‐quality forage resources.

Montana↗

USGS2015

Feather isotope analysis reveals differential patterns of habitat and resource use in populations of white-winged doves

The white-winged dove ( Zenaida asiatica ) serves an important ecological role as a diurnal pollinator of the saguaro cactus in the Sonoran desert and an economic role as a highly sought after game bird in North America. White-winged doves are intimately linked to anthropogenic changes on the landscape and because of this, have experienced dramatic population fluctuations over the last 75 years in response, both positively and negatively, to anthropogenic changes on the landscape. To understand the factors driving population growth and decline of migratory species like the white-winged dove, it is imperative we study resource use on both their breeding and wintering grounds. To understand how populations are distributed on the wintering grounds, we tested an alternative to band recovery approaches by using stable isotope analysis. Before we could use isotope analysis to link breeding and wintering locations for this species, we first needed to determine if hydrogen (δ 2 H) and carbon (δ 13 C) stable isotopes in feather tissue (δ 2 H f and δ 13 C f , respectively) could differentiate among populations of white-winged doves across their breeding range in Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. δ 2 H f and δ 13 C f not only differentiated between populations of white-winged doves that breed in the United States, but δ 2 H f also provided further differentiation in white-winged doves that breed in native Sonoran Desert and agricultural habitats in the western portion of their range. Ecological processes associated with desert resources and anthropogenic influences, specifically saguaro cacti and irrigated crops, largely determined δ 2 H f in some white-winged doves in Arizona whereas δ 2 H of precipitation (δ 2 H p ) largely determined δ 2 H f of doves in New Mexico and Texas. This study highlights the usefulness of stable isotope analysis to differentiate populations of animals across the landscape and the insight isotopes can provide into habitat and resource use. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas↗

USGS2012

Movement patterns, habitat use, and survival of Lahontan cutthroat trout in the Truckee River

Habitat fragmentation, hybridization, and competition with nonnative salmonids are viewed as major threats to Lahontan cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi . Understanding Lahontan cutthroat trout behavior and survival is a necessary step in the reintroduction and establishment of naturally reproducing populations of Lahontan cutthroat trout. We used weekly radiotelemetry monitoring to examine movement patterns, habitat use, and apparent survival of 42 hatchery-reared Lahontan cutthroat trout in a 16.5-km stretch of the Truckee River, Nevada, across three reaches separated by barriers to upstream movement. We found differences in total movement distances and home range sizes of fish in different reaches within our study area. Fish used pool habitats more than fast water habitats in all reaches. Time of year, stream temperature, and fish standard length covariates had the strongest relationship with apparent survival. Monthly apparent survival was lowest in January, which coincided with the lowest flows and temperatures during the study period. Our results verify the mobility of Lahontan cutthroat trout and indicate that conditions during winter may limit the survival and reintroduction success in the portions of the Truckee River evaluated in this study.

California, Nevada↗

USGS2008

Habitat use of juvenile pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon with implications for water-level management in a downstream reservoir

Natural recruitment of pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus has not been observed in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana, for at least 20 years. To augment the population, age-1 hatchery-reared juvenile pallid sturgeon were released in 1998. The objective of this study was to evaluate the habitat use of these fish and compare it with that of indigenous shovelnose sturgeon S. platorynchus. Twenty-nine juvenile pallid sturgeon and 21 indigenous shovelnose sturgeon were implanted with radio transmitters in 2003 and 2004. The two species showed no differences in habitat use in terms of mean depth, cross-sectional relative depth, longitudinal relative depth, column velocity, bottom velocity, and channel width. However, there were seasonal differences within both species for cross-sectional relative depth, column velocity, and channel width. Both shovelnose sturgeon and juvenile pallid sturgeon were primarily associated with silt and sand substrate. However, shovelnose sturgeon were associated with gravel and cobble substrate more than juvenile pallid sturgeon. Shovelnose sturgeon and juvenile pallid sturgeon both selected reaches without islands and avoided reaches with islands; the two species also selected main-channel habitat and avoided secondary channels. Mean home range was similar between juvenile pallid sturgeon (15 km; 90% confidence interval, ??5.0 km) and shovelnose sturgeon (16.5 km; ??4.7 km). Spatial distribution differed between the two species, with shovelnose sturgeon using upstream areas more often than juvenile pallid sturgeon. Twenty-eight percent of juvenile pallid sturgeon frequented 60 km of lotie habitat that would be inundated by Fort Peck Reservoir at maximum pool. Stocking juvenile pallid sturgeon can successfully augment the wild pallid sturgeon population in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir, which is crucial to the long-term recovery of the species. However, water-level management in downstream reservoirs such as Fort Peck can influence the amount of habitat available for pallid sturgeon. ?? Copyright by the American Fisheries Society 2008.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management↗