Invasive Lake Trout Reproduction in Yellowstone Lake under an Active Suppression Program

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas A. Heredia ◽  
Robert E. Gresswell ◽  
Molly A. H. Webb ◽  
Travis O. Brenden ◽  
Philip T. Sandstrom
Keyword(s):  
Lake Trout ◽  
Yellowstone Lake ◽  
Active Suppression

scholarly journals Influence of Bio-Pollution on Ecosystem Processes: The Impact of Introduced Lake Trout on Streams, Predators, and Forests in Yellowstone National Park

2002 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 71-77
Author(s):  
Jamie Crait ◽  
Merav Ben-David ◽  
Bob Hall
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Cycling ◽  
Yellowstone National Park ◽  
National Park ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Spawning Migration ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Yellowstone Lake ◽  
The Impact

Yellowstone National Park (YNP) is a treasured national resource and an important element of tourism and the recreational economy in Wyoming. Because of its unique geological features and abundant wildlife and fisheries, YNP is a tourist destination for millions of people annually. Although this national symbol is cherished for its pristine condition and has been protected from most human influence for over 100 years, human mediated invasions of non­ indigenous species, such as several species of plants and animals, including an exotic snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum), may alter this ecosystem. Recently an unauthorized introduction of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) to Yellowstone Lake was documented. Recent investigation at the University of Wyoming, indicated that in-lake predation by lake trout on juvenile and sub-adult native Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhyncus clarki bouvieri) could negatively influence recruitment of cutthroat trout (Stapp and Hayward 2002). This may lead to significant reductions in numbers of spawning adult cutthroat if current management actions are ineffective, or if they are not continuously pursued (Stapp and Hayward 2002). While lake trout invasion in Yellowstone Lake will likely have detrimental effects on in-lake communities and processes, reductions in populations of native cutthroat trout can potentially impact other aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems outside of Yellowstone Lake. Cutthroat trout in Yellowstone Lake annually migrate into tributary streams and rivers to spawn (Varley and Gresswell 1988), with runs up to 60,000 trout per season into small streams such as Clear Creek (Gresswell and Varley 1988). This spawning migration may significantly affect in­ stream communities (cf. Power 1990) and alter nutrient cycling within tributary streams (Peterson et al. 1993) and in the adjacent riparian forests (Ben­David et al. 1998; Hilderbrand et al. 1999). Therefore, spawning cutthroat trout not only have trophic effects on their ecosystem but also act as "ecosystem engineers" (i.e., species that influence structure and function of ecosystems through non­ trophic processes) because of their role in transporting large amounts of nutrients between ecosystems (Jones et al. 1994). Reductions in spawning adult cutthroat trout will likely alter in­stream processes. In addition, for piscivorous (fish­eating) predators, a significant decline in the number of adult spawning cutthroat trout may reduce recruitment and survival, and it could threaten viability of predator populations. In this project we are investigating the role of cutthroat trout in structuring stream ecosystems, their importance to a representative fish-predator - the river otter (Lontra canadensis), and possible effectson terrestrial plants through nutrient transport by otters to latrine sites (Ben-David et al. 1998 Hilderbrand et al. 1999). We hypothesize that the spawning migration of cutthroat trout will result in transport of nutrients from lake to streams, and from streams to terrestrial forests, through the activity of piscivorous predators. Because nitrogen (N) limits production in area streams (J. L. Tank and R 0. Hall unpublished data) and terrestrial ecosystems (Nadelhoffer et al. 1995) we focus our investigation of nutrient cycling on this element. These observations will enable us to predict how streams, trout predators, and the terrestrial landscape will be affected following cutthroat trout decline.

scholarly journals Introduced lake trout alter nitrogen cycling beyond Yellowstone Lake

Ecosphere ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. art224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lusha M. Tronstad ◽  
Robert O. Hall ◽  
Todd M. Koel
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Cycling ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Yellowstone Lake

scholarly journals Two Ocean Pass: An Alternative Hypothesis for the Invasion of Yellowstone Lake by Lake Trout, and Implications for Future Invasions

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd M. Koel ◽  
Colleen R. Detjens ◽  
Alexander V. Zale
Keyword(s):  
Brook Trout ◽  
National Park ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Yellowstone Lake ◽  
Yellowstone River ◽  
Continental Divide ◽  
Nonnative Fish ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout

Preventing the interbasin transfer of aquatic invasive species is a high priority for natural resource managers. Such transfers can be made by humans or can occur by dispersal through connected waterways. A natural surface water connection between the Atlantic and Pacific drainages in North America exists at Two Ocean Pass south of Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri used this route to cross the Continental Divide and colonize the Yellowstone River from ancestral sources in the Snake River following glacial recession 14,000 bp. Nonnative lake trout Salvelinus namaycush were stocked into lakes in the Snake River headwaters in 1890 and quickly dispersed downstream. Lake trout were discovered in Yellowstone Lake in 1994 and were assumed to have been illegally introduced. Recently, lake trout have demonstrated their ability to move widely through river systems and invade headwater lakes in Glacier National Park. Our objective was to determine if lake trout and other nonnative fish were present in the connected waters near Two Ocean Pass and could thereby colonize the Yellowstone River basin in the past or future. We used environmental DNA (eDNA), electrofishing, and angling to survey for lake trout and other fishes. Yellowstone cutthroat trout were detected at nearly all sites on both sides of the Continental Divide. Lake trout and invasive brook trout S. fontinalis were detected in Pacific Creek near its confluence with the Snake River. We conclude that invasive movements by lake trout from the Snake River over Two Ocean Pass may have resulted in their colonization of Yellowstone Lake. Moreover, Yellowstone Lake may be vulnerable to additional invasions because several other nonnative fish inhabit the upper Snake River. In the future, eDNA collected across smaller spatial intervals in Pacific Creek during flow conditions more conducive to lake trout movement may provide further insight into the extent of non-native fish invasions in this stream.

Could ecological release buffer suppression efforts for non-native lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park?

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. 1010-1025 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Syslo ◽  
Travis O. Brenden ◽  
Christopher S. Guy ◽  
Todd M. Koel ◽  
Patricia E. Bigelow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Yellowstone National Park ◽  
National Park ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Native Range ◽  
Yellowstone Lake ◽  
Ecological Release ◽  
Demographic Rates ◽  
Stock Recruitment

Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park, USA, has the longest ongoing suppression program for non-native lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in the western USA. Harvest data from the suppression program, along with data from an assessment program initiated in 2011, was used to estimate lake trout abundance and mortality rates. Abundance and biomass estimates were used to estimate stock–recruitment dynamics, which were inputs to a simulation model forecasting responses to continued suppression. Abundance increased during 1998–2012 when total annual mortality exceeded 0.59 and declined thereafter. The fishing mortality rate required to reduce abundance was 67% greater than predicted by models that used prerecruit survival estimates from the lake trout’s native range. Prerecruit survival in Yellowstone Lake was estimated at four to six times greater than native range survival rates. Simulated abundance continued to decline if recent suppression efforts were maintained. High prerecruit survival in Yellowstone Lake likely illustrates ecological release for an invasive species in an ecosystem containing few predators or competitors and demonstrates the potential pitfalls of assuming equal demographic rates for native and non-native populations.

scholarly journals Airborne lidar detection and mapping of invasive lake trout in Yellowstone Lake

2018 ◽  
Vol 57 (15) ◽  
pp. 4111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R. Roddewig ◽  
James H. Churnside ◽  
F. Richard Hauer ◽  
Jacob Williams ◽  
Patricia E. Bigelow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lake Trout ◽  
Airborne Lidar ◽  
Yellowstone Lake

EFFECTS OF INTRODUCED LAKE TROUT ON NATIVE CUTTHROAT TROUT IN YELLOWSTONE LAKE

2003 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
James R. Ruzycki ◽  
David A. Beauchamp ◽  
Daniel L. Yule
Keyword(s):  
Lake Trout ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Yellowstone Lake

Introduced Lake Trout Produced a Four-Level Trophic Cascade in Yellowstone Lake

2010 ◽  
Vol 139 (5) ◽  
pp. 1536-1550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lusha M. Tronstad ◽  
Robert O. Hall ◽  
Todd M. Koel ◽  
Ken G. Gerow
Keyword(s):  
Trophic Cascade ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Yellowstone Lake

Response of non-native lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) to 15 years of harvest in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park

2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (12) ◽  
pp. 2132-2145 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Syslo ◽  
Christopher S. Guy ◽  
Patricia E. Bigelow ◽  
Philip D. Doepke ◽  
Brian D. Ertel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Population Growth ◽  
Yellowstone National Park ◽  
National Park ◽  
Population Growth Rate ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Yellowstone Lake ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout

Introduced lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush ) threaten to extirpate native Yellowstone cutthroat trout ( Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri ) in the 34 000 ha Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park, USA. Suppression (and eventual eradication) of the lake trout population is deemed necessary for the conservation of Yellowstone cutthroat trout. A US National Park Service gill-netting program removed nearly 450 000 lake trout from Yellowstone Lake from 1995 through 2009. We examined temporal variation in individual growth, body condition, length and age at maturity, fecundity, mortality, and population models to assess the efficacy of the lake trout suppression program. Population metrics did not indicate overharvest despite more than a decade of fish removal. The current rate of population growth is positive; however, it is lower than it would be in the absence of lake trout suppression. Fishing effort needs to increase above observed levels to reduce population growth rate below replacement. Additionally, high sensitivity of population growth rate to reproductive vital rates indicates that increasing fishing mortality for sexually mature lake trout may increase the effectiveness of suppression. Lake trout suppression in Yellowstone Lake illustrates the complexities of trying to remove an apex predator to restore a relatively large remote lentic ecosystem with a simple fish assemblage.

scholarly journals Yellowstone Lake Ecosystem Restoration: A Case Study for Invasive Fish Management

Fishes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd M. Koel ◽  
Jeffery L. Arnold ◽  
Patricia E. Bigelow ◽  
Travis O. Brenden ◽  
Jeffery D. Davis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Growth ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Lake Ecosystem ◽  
Ecosystem Recovery ◽  
Scientific Review ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarkii ◽  
Yellowstone Lake ◽  
Effort Level ◽  
Trout Population

Invasive predatory lake trout Salvelinus namaycush were discovered in Yellowstone Lake in 1994 and caused a precipitous decrease in abundance of native Yellowstone cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri. Suppression efforts (primarily gillnetting) initiated in 1995 did not curtail lake trout population growth or lakewide expansion. An adaptive management strategy was developed in 2010 that specified desired conditions indicative of ecosystem recovery. Population modeling was used to estimate effects of suppression efforts on the lake trout and establish effort benchmarks to achieve negative population growth (λ < 1). Partnerships enhanced funding support, and a scientific review panel provided guidance to increase suppression gillnetting effort to >46,800 100-m net nights; this effort level was achieved in 2012 and led to a reduction in lake trout biomass. Total lake trout biomass declined from 432,017 kg in 2012 to 196,675 kg in 2019, primarily because of a 79% reduction in adults. Total abundance declined from 925,208 in 2012 to 673,983 in 2019 but was highly variable because of recruitment of age-2 fish. Overall, 3.35 million lake trout were killed by suppression efforts from 1995 to 2019. Cutthroat trout abundance remained below target levels, but relative condition increased, large individuals (> 400 mm) became more abundant, and individual weights doubled, probably because of reduced density. Continued actions to suppress lake trout will facilitate further recovery of the cutthroat trout population and integrity of the Yellowstone Lake ecosystem.

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