Discharge and hydraulic interactions in contrasting channel morphologies and their influence on site utilization by spawning Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (11) ◽  
pp. 2567-2585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamish J Moir ◽  
Chris N Gibbins ◽  
Chris Soulsby ◽  
John H Webb

Six study sites were selected to represent the range of channel morphologies, extending from dynamic pool–riffle to transitional step–pool/plane bed reach types, used by spawning Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in a small upland Scottish stream. The hydraulic functioning of reaches over the range of discharges used by spawning fish was characterized, and the influence of hydraulic heterogeneity and rates of change in discharge on the frequency of spawning was assessed. Relationships between discharge and depths and velocities differed significantly between sites; thus, hydraulic responses to changes in discharge were different. The range of discharges used for spawning differed between sites, although optimum discharges were similar. Integration of hydraulic information with microhabitat suitability predicted that spawning conditions should occur at discharges higher than those utilized by fish. There was no evidence that hydraulically heterogeneous sites were used more frequently than homogeneous ones. Rather, data suggest that the frequency of utilization of sites was governed principally by the availability of suitable sediment. Flow stability was important for spawning, with periods of rapidly varying discharge avoided. It is suggested that the rate of change in discharge should be considered more explicitly when assessing environmental flow needs.


1998 ◽  
Vol 55 (S1) ◽  
pp. 145-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L Nielsen

Molecular genetics provides data with temporal and spatial scales unavailable from other disciplines. Patterns of genetic diversity are influenced by adaptive, environmental, and stochastic factors. The rate of change in genetic markers allows investigations of diversity on temporal scales resulting from recent history (hundreds of years) to deep evolutionary time (millions of years). Cryptic spatial population structure is often revealed by molecular markers. Phylogeographic analysis of genes within populations can unite demographics with glaciation, uplift, climatic shifts, or major floods. Historically, the application of genetic markers has been largely limited to analyses of gene frequencies and patterns of diversity. The consequences of genetic rarity are controversial in relationship to endangerment or patterns of extinction. However, it is widely recognized that genes reflect a species' evolutionary past and represent the raw material underlying the diversity of biological expression throughout a species' range. DNA provides the architecture necessary for a species' adaptation and future survival. Conservation of this evolutionary legacy is important considering anthropomorphic manipulation of a species and the environment upon which it depends. In this paper I investigate evolution and genetic variation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) based on the current literature. I further discuss conservation and restoration questions using molecular markers.



2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (8) ◽  
pp. 1069-1079 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Deschênes ◽  
Marco A Rodríguez ◽  
Pierre Bérubé

We used classification trees and regression trees to relate the incidence and density of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) to forestry activities measured at four spatial scales (subbasin and 8, 2, and 0.5 km radii upstream of study sites) and environmental features in 120 stream reaches of the Cascapedia River basin, Québec, Canada. At all scales, incidence increased with reach size and accessibility to the reach from the river mainstem. Incidence declined with areal coverage of logging at all scales, but only in larger reaches. The time horizon over which logging effects were detected increased with spatial scale. At all scales, density in salmon-bearing reaches increased with accessibility. Density in more accessible reaches was negatively related to logging over the preceding 9 years at the subbasin and 8 km scales, but no effects of logging on density were detected at the 2 and 0.5 km scales. Overall, apparent effects of logging activities on salmon incidence and density were mostly negative and strong, but were both markedly scale-dependent and conditional on environmental context.



1987 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Morantz ◽  
R. K. Sweeney ◽  
C. S. Shirvell ◽  
D. A. Longard

This study was designed to define the microhabitats selected in summer by juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Curves were developed describing the preference of 880 young salmon for water velocity at the fish's position (nose velocity), mean water column velocity, total water depth, and stream substrate size. Study sites were chosen in six morphologically diverse streams in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick during 1982–84. Of the four variables measured, only nose velocity chosen by both fry and parr was not significantly different among years or rivers. Atlantic salmon fry (< 65 mm) most frequently selected nose velocities between 5 and 15 cm∙s−1, small parr (65–100 mm) between 5 and 25 cm∙s−1 and large parr (> 100 mm) between 5 and 35 cm∙s−1. Apparently, juvenile salmon utilized water depths and stream substrates which varied within tolerable limits according to their availability in conjunction with preferred water velocities. Significant differences in the body shape and size of the pectoral fin of Atlantic salmon parr in different rivers did not influence the selection of nose velocities within the range of flow conditions sampled.



2003 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefán Ó Steingrímsson ◽  
James W.A Grant

The literature on stream fish movement offers diverse views on the patterns (restricted vs. nonrestricted), causes (competition vs. habitat use), and consequences (mobile fish of lower vs. equal fitness) of movement. We tagged 320 young-of-the-year Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) (30.1–55.3 mm), using relatively noninvasive tagging (elastomers) and recovery (snorkeling) techniques, to test these alternative views. Most fish (mean = 63.8%) stayed in the study sites (10–120 m) throughout their respective study season (28–74 days). Of the resighted fish, 61.8% moved less than 1 m up- or down-stream and only three fish moved more than 10 m, causing extremely leptokurtic movement curves. Movement and site fidelity were weakly affected by habitat use and competition. Fish originally found in slow water moved farther than fish from fast water, whereas fish found at high population densities were more likely to disappear than fish from low densities. Finally, mobile fish grew as fast or faster than more sedentary fish, supporting the idea that movement can be advantageous and is not just a by-product of density-dependent population regulation.



1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (7) ◽  
pp. 1647-1659 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Randall ◽  
U. Paim

The production rate of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) was estimated at four sites in two tributary streams of the Miramichi River, New Brunswick, during the period September 1976 to October 1978. Annual production ranged between 0.27 and 5.12 g∙m−2∙year−1. Growth was largely restricted to a 4-month period in early summer. Among the four sites, age 0+ salmon attained a mean weight of between 0.95 and 3.50 g by the end of their first growing season (September) and densities in July ranged between 0.3 and 3.1 fry∙m−2∙Age 1+ parr grew to mean weights between 4.95 and 12.45 g by September, and June–July densities ranged between 0.03 and 0.6 parr∙m−2. Marking information indicated that most parr remained in the study sites from July to September, but larger proportions of migrant parr were recorded in October. Production during summer was directly and positively related to initial population densities. Production rates at these sites were lower than most other recorded values for juvenile Atlantic salmon. Biomass of salmon may have been below the carrying capacity of the environment at all four sites.





2001 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sjofn Sigurgisladottir ◽  
Margret S. Sigurdardottir ◽  
Helga Ingvarsdottir ◽  
Ole J. Torrissen ◽  
Hannes Hafsteinsson


2005 ◽  
Vol 68 (7) ◽  
pp. 1336-1339 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. L. NESSE ◽  
T. LØVOLD ◽  
B. BERGSJØ ◽  
K. NORDBY ◽  
C. WALLACE ◽  
...  

The objective of our experiments was to study the persistence and dissemination of orally administered Salmonella in smoltified Atlantic salmon. In experiment 1, salmon kept at 15°C were fed for 1 week with feed contaminated with 96 most-probable-number units of Salmonella Agona per 100 g of feed and then starved for 2 weeks. Samples were taken from the gastrointestinal tract and examined for Salmonella 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 days after the feeding ended. In experiment 2, Salmonella Agona and Montevideo were separately mixed with feed and administered by gastric intubation. Each fish received 1.0 × 108, 1.0 × 106, or 1.0 × 104 CFU. The different groups were kept in parallel at 5 and 15°C and observed for 4 weeks. Every week, three fish in each group were sacrificed, and samples were taken from the skin, the pooled internal organs, the muscle, and the gastrointestinal tract and examined for the presence of Salmonella. The results from the two experiments showed that the persistence of Salmonella in the fish was highly dependent on the dose administered. Salmonella was not recovered from any of the fish that were fed for 1 week with the lowest concentration of Salmonella. In the fish given the highest dose of Salmonella, bacteria persisted for at least 4 weeks in the gastrointestinal tract as well as, to some extent, the internal organs. The present study shows that under practical conditions in Norway, the risk of Salmonella in fish feed being passed on to the consumer of the fish is negligible.



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