Evaluation of the effects of fine sediment inputs from stream culverts on brown trout egg survival through field and laboratory assessments

Cocchiglia, Letizia; Curran, Sarah; Hannigan, Edel; Purcell, Patrick J.; Kelly‐Quinn, Mary

doi:10.5268/iw-2.1.495

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…treatment (10% <0.085 mm) was only negatively impacted after 3 weeks of incubation, in contrast to the higher sediment treatment (40%, <0.85 mm) where negative effects were seen within the first week (Cocchiglia et al, 2012). Thus, it is possible that potentially shorter incubation times, due to warmer water temperatures in the present study, also lead to increases in the survival of the brook The reproductive success of brook trout on PEI in the face of intensive agriculture is likely related to their selection of areas of groundwater discharge for spawning.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

“…Water temperature affects the length of the incubation period and rivers with warmer waters typically have shorter incubation periods. The length of exposure time to fine sediment has been identified as a significant factor in salmonid survival (Cocchiglia et al, 2012). In their field assessment of brown trout (Salmo trutta) egg survival, Cocchiglia and colleagues (2012) found that sediment exposure time was a significant factor in survival, and that survival generally decreased as exposure time increased.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Factors Influencing Brook Trout (Salvelinus frontinalis) Egg Survival and Development in Streams Influenced by Agriculture

Alberto¹,

Courtenay²,

Hilaire³

et al. 2017

FisheriesSciences.com

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Abstract:Increased sedimentation in surface waters due to anthropogenic activities can lead to the deterioration of salmonid spawning habitat through infiltration of excessive fine sediment into redds. This study assessed the effects of sediment on salmonid reproductive habitat on Prince Edward Island, Canada by evaluating egg survival and fry length using brook trout egg in situ incubations. In-stream egg incubators were buried in the substrate of streams in three watersheds with between 10 and 69% agricultural land-use during 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. Accumulated incubator sediment load and associated particle size, incubator organic matter and stream parameters temperature, velocity, bed sediment and particle size were measured over the period of study. There was no significant difference in embryo survival among watersheds. Survival was not related to fine sediment; instead, it increased with higher average temperature that was in turn associated with the presence of groundwater upwelling in the stream. The size of the fry was also not significantly different between watersheds with varying agricultural activity. Fry length was most strongly related to sediment organic matter content. Brook trout are widespread in PEI rivers, including in many rivers that have high sediment loads due to intensive agricultural land use. This species may avoid the adverse effect of fine sediment through their natural adaptation of using groundwater upwelling for spawning. Sedimentation is of particular concern on PEI because of its potential to impact spawning habitat for native salmonids, namely brook trout and Atlantic salmon (Merz et al., 2004;Curry and MacNeill, 2004). While brook trout remain widespread on PEI, Atlantic salmon is only present in about one third of its former rivers (Cairns and MacFarlane, 2015) and its decline has been attributed to a variety of factors, including excessive sedimentation (Guignion et al., 2010). In contrast to the situation on PEI, there is evidence of the decline of brook trout in other parts of the world that has been attributed to landscape alteration (Stranko et al., 2008). Thus, the study of the impacts of sedimentation on brook trout spawning can provide some insight into the persistence of this species on PEI despite the seemingly adverse conditions. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of deposited sediment on brook trout survivorship and fry length on PEI. This study tested the hypothesis that sediment is a limiting factor in salmonid egg survival to hatching and emergence. Survival was assessed by placing in-stream egg incubators in three watersheds with varying degrees of agricultural land-use during two separate spawning seasons. Eggs were monitored for hatching and swimup over the early spring months and the relationship between survival and fine sediment accumulated within the incubators was assessed. Keywords Materials and Methods Study sitesThree rivers on PEI with varying degrees of agricultural landuse within the watershed were selected for the study: Whe...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Influencing Brook Trout (Salvelinus frontinalis) Egg Survival and Development in Streams Influenced by Agriculture

Alberto¹,

Courtenay²,

Hilaire³

et al. 2017

FisheriesSciences.com

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“…Excess sediment has been shown to affect many biotic groups via abrasion of surfaces and reduced primary productivity due to reduction in light penetration with implications for the entire food wed (Lewis, 1973; Quinn et al, 1992; Hickey and Vickers, 1994; Davies‐Colley et al, 2008; Izagirre et al, 2009). It can result in clogging of interstitial spaces with reduction in habitat and suffocation of juvenile and larval stages of various biota, e.g., hyporheic organisms and fish eggs (Wright and Berrie, 1987; Doeg and Koehn, 1994; Geist, 2011; Cocchiglia et al, 2012). There is an extensive literature on the effects of nutrient enrichment on aquatic biota, with the most common responses resulting from excessive algal and macrophyte growth and resultant O 2 depletion with particular implications for sensitive taxa including macroinvertebrates and fish.…”

Section: Aquatic Biotamentioning

confidence: 99%

The Environmental Impact of Cattle Access to Watercourses: A Review

et al. 2019

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The degradation of freshwater resources and loss of freshwater biodiversity by anthropogenic activities, including agriculture, are of major global concern. Together with diffuse pollutants, point sources, such as where cattle have direct access to riparian margins and watercourses, can potentially present significant environmental challenges. These can include impacts on stream morphology, increased sedimentation, nutrient additions, microbial contamination, and impacts on aquatic biota. Mitigation measures aimed at reducing these frequently include reducing the amount of time cattle spend in riparian margins and watercourses. This is often accomplished through the provision of an alternative water supply and grazing management, or even cattle exclusion measures. Although a number of studies refer to potential negative impacts, there has been little attempt to review previous research on this topic. The key aim of this paper is to collate and review these disparate studies, as well as those relating to the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Although it is difficult to draw generalizations from studies due to the inherent variability between and within catchments, evidence pertaining to impacts in relation to sedimentation, pathogens, and riparian margin vegetation were strong. Conclusions in relation to impacts on stream morphology and nutrient parameters were less clear, whereas studies on responses of macroinvertebrate communities were particularly variable, with differences due to cattle access difficult to separate from catchment scale effects. A greater understanding of the impact of cattle access on watercourses under varying conditions will help inform policymakers on the cost effectiveness of existing management criteria and will help in revising existing measures.

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“…The study also indicates a need for further research to determine the optimal conditions for cyprinid egg and larval development and therefore, survival, and how these early‐life survival rates influence subsequent recruitment success of cohorts. The influence of these conditions can be tested empirically using both in‐ and ex‐situ scenarios as has been done with salmonids (Cocchiglia, Curran, Hannigan, Purcell, & Kelly‐Quinn, ), coupled with standardized monitoring of river sediment, water velocity and oxygen conditions. Until this knowledge is developed, the ability of river managers to enhance the spawning success of non‐salmonid fishes, such as barbel, will remain highly constrained.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying the habitat and zoogeomorphic capabilities of spawning European barbelBarbus barbus, a lithophilous cyprinid

Roberts

Bašić

Britton

et al. 2019

River Research & Apps

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Suitable gravel availability is critical for the spawning success of lithophilous fishes, including redd builders. Redd construction during spawning can alter substrate characteristics, thereby influencing hydraulic conditions and sediment transport, highlighting the importance of spawning as a zoogeomorphic activity. Here, interactions between redd-building fish and their spawning environment were investigated for European barbel Barbus barbus with a comparative approach across three English rivers: Teme (western), Great Ouse (eastern) and Idle (central). Sediment characteristics of spawning habitats were similar across the rivers, including subsurface fine sediment (<2 mm) content (≈20% dry weight), but elevated subsurface silt content and coarser surface sediments were found in the river Teme. Water velocities were similar at spawning sites despite differences in channel width and depth. Redds were characterized by a pit and tailspill, with no differences in surface grain-size characteristics between these and the surrounding riverbed, but with topographic alteration (dimensions and tailspill amplitude) in line with those of salmonids. Estimates of the fraction of the bed that spawning barbel were capable of moving exceeded 97% in all rivers. Estimated reproductive potential varied significantly between the rivers Idle and Teme (3,098 to 9,715 eggs/ m 2 ), which was largely due to differences in barbel lengths affecting fecundity. Larger barbel, capable of producing and depositing more eggs, but in more spatially extensive redds, meaning fewer redds per given surface area of riverbed. Predictions of barbel egg mortality based on sand content were low across both rivers. The effects of silt on barbel egg and larvae development are unknown, but the levels detected here would significantly impact salmon egg mortality. Similarities in fish length to redd area and the size of moveable grains by spawning barbel and salmon suggest they have similar geomorphic effects on sediments, although fine sediment tolerance is highly divergent.

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Evaluation of the effects of fine sediment inputs from stream culverts on brown trout egg survival through field and laboratory assessments

Cited by 8 publications

References 37 publications

Factors Influencing Brook Trout (Salvelinus frontinalis) Egg Survival and Development in Streams Influenced by Agriculture

Factors Influencing Brook Trout (Salvelinus frontinalis) Egg Survival and Development in Streams Influenced by Agriculture

The Environmental Impact of Cattle Access to Watercourses: A Review

Quantifying the habitat and zoogeomorphic capabilities of spawning European barbelBarbus barbus, a lithophilous cyprinid

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