Ideal free distribution theory as a tool to examine juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) habitat choice under different conditions of food abundance and cover

We investigated the mechanisms affecting habitat choice by juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in relation to the patchy distribution of food and cover. We tested the following hypotheses: (i) the distribution of juvenile coho, both between patches in a pool and between separate pools in a channel, corresponds numerically to the food input rate of those habitat patches as predicted by the "input-matching rule" of ideal free distribution (IFD) and (ii) the addition of instream cover, by increasing visual isolation among competitors, promotes input matching both within and between pools. We conducted our experimental work in artificial channels and we used two different types of cover, instream and overhead. In the absence of cover and with either no differences or relatively small differences in food abundance between patches, the spatial distribution of juvenile coho responded numerically to the input rate of food as predicted by the IFD. However, when differences in food abundance between patches were relatively large or cover was present, fish distributions consistently undermatched food input rate in the rich patch. Coho foraged in open patches away from cover within single pools but preferred pools with cover when choosing between separate pools. Several IFD models were used to examine the observed dispersion patterns.