Habitat preferences and habitat restoration options for small‐bodied and juvenile fish species in the northern Murray–Darling Basin

Hutchison, Michael; Norris, Andrew J.; Nixon, D. J.

doi:10.1111/emr.12394

Cited by 5 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(32 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In main channel habitats of the mid-Murray River, adults prefer mean water depths of 2.6 m and surface water velocities of 0.31 m s À1 , accompanied by 80% cover of in-stream wood, with this structure being higher in the water column than for other species (Koehn and Nicol 2014) Habitat use in a weir pool was seasonally variable, with fish more likely to be in areas with greater woody habitat in late summer, and deeper habitats in late winter to early summer (Koster et al 2020). Juveniles selected structure, including rock piles, over open habitats (Hutchison et al 2020). More likely to be in deeper areas during the day (Crook et al 2001;Koster et al 2020).…”

Section: ) Locationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(considered extinct). The olive perchlet occupies littoral vegetation (Hutchison et al 2020), often mid-water (Milton and Arthington 1985), and is most active at night (Allen et al 2002; D. Moffatt (Department of Environment and Science, Qld), pers. comm.).…”

Section: Murray Hardyhead Craterocephalus Fluviatilismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Juveniles ,1 year appear to settle in the main river channel at a late larval stage and are generally not found in off-channel habitats (Koehn and Harrington 2005; but see Anderson 1915). Juveniles selected structure over open habitats, preferring rocky rubble (NMDB; Hutchison et al 2020) The widely reported susceptibility to blackwater events (King et al 2012;Leigh and Zampatti 2013;Thiem et al 2017) was confirmed in simulations of hypoxic blackwater using dried river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) leaf litter, with juveniles sensitive to low DO, with 48 h LC 50 mortality at 1.58 AE 0.01 mg L À1 DO and predictions that juvenile mortalities would start with DO concentrations of 2.4-3.1 mg L À1 alone (Small et al 2014). Aerobic capacity is low, but temperature independent, suggesting some adaptability to fluctuating temperatures (Clark et al 2005;Small et al 2014) Allen-Ankins et al (2012 suggest that the sensory physiology of this species is well adapted to turbid conditions Salinities .0.34 g L À1 are likely to significantly affect recruitment.…”

Section: Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Occasionally found in floodplain lakes (mid-Murray, SMDB; e.g. Moira Lake, Lake Boga) in large numbers after being colonised by juvenile fish (EO; Tonkin et al 2017c) Considered to require perennial flowing water for completion of their whole life cycle, and there is limited evidence for eggs or larvae using off-channel nursery areas ) Suggested to be associated with submerged or emergent aquatic vegetation (Moffatt and Voller 2002), but juveniles found to prefer open water over habitat structure (Hutchison et al 2020) Juveniles sensitive to low DO, with 50% mortality at 1.04 AE 0.01 mg L À1 over 48 h, with first mortalities under simulated blackwater conditions occurring at 2.8 mg L À1 DO, with an LC 50 of 1.04 mg L À1 (Small et al 2014) There is no evidence of direct use of ephemeral floodplains by larvae (King et al , 2009a) Movements…”

Section: Attribute Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Length Age ¼ 62.0 Â (1 -exp(À0.51 Â (Age þ 0.78))) Habitats Vegetated edges of freshwater pools, rivers, creeks, streams, backwaters and swamps, with little or no flow (Allen and Burgess 1990;McNeil et al 2008), often associated with woody habitat and vegetation (macrophytes and emergent grasses; Lintermans 2007) In the NMDB, 90% of fish came from wetland habitats (Hutchison et al 2008;Hutchison 2014). Adults selected structure over open habitats and showed a strong affinity for submerged macrophytes (Hutchison et al 2020). Strongly associated with stable macrophyte areas within isolated main-channel waterholes in the NMDB (S. Balcombe, Griffith University, unpubl.…”

Section: ) Locationmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

A compendium of ecological knowledge for restoration of freshwater fishes in Australia

Koehn

Raymond

Stuart

et al. 2020

Mar. Freshwater Res.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Many freshwater fishes are imperilled globally, and there is a need for easily accessible, contemporary ecological knowledge to guide management. This compendium contains knowledge collated from over 600 publications and 27 expert workshops to support the restoration of 9 priority native freshwater fish species, representative of the range of life-history strategies and values in south-eastern Australia’s Murray–Darling Basin. To help prioritise future research investment and restoration actions, ecological knowledge and threats were assessed for each species and life stage. There is considerable new knowledge (80% of publications used were from the past 20 years), but this varied among species and life stages, with most known about adults, then egg, juvenile and larval stages (in that order). The biggest knowledge gaps concerned early life stage requirements, survival, recruitment, growth rates, condition and movements. Key threats include reduced longitudinal and lateral connectivity, altered flows, loss of refugia, reductions in both flowing (lotic) and slackwater riverine habitats, degradation of wetland habitats, alien species interactions and loss of aquatic vegetation. Examples and case studies illustrating the application of this knowledge to underpin effective restoration management are provided. This extensive ecological evidence base for multiple species is presented in a tabular format to assist a range of readers.

show abstract

Section: ) Locationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Murray Hardyhead Craterocephalus Fluviatilismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Growthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Attribute Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: ) Locationmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

A compendium of ecological knowledge for restoration of freshwater fishes in Australia

Koehn

Raymond

Stuart

et al. 2020

Mar. Freshwater Res.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Alternative conservation outcomes from aquatic fauna translocations: Losing and saving the Running River rainbowfish

Moy,

Schaffer,

Hammer

et al. 2023

Aquatic Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The translocation of species outside their natural range is a threat to aquatic biodiversity globally, especially freshwater fishes, as most are not only susceptible to predation and competition but readily hybridize with congeners. Running River rainbowfish (RRR, Melanotaenia sp.) is a narrow‐ranged, small‐bodied freshwater fish that recently became threatened and was subsequently listed as Critically Endangered, owing to introgressive hybridization and competition following the translocation of a congeneric species, the eastern rainbowfish (Melanotaenia splendida). To conserve RRR, wild fish were taken into captivity, genetically confirmed as pure representatives, and successfully bred. As the threat of introgression with translocated eastern rainbowfish could not be mitigated, a plan was devised to translocate captive raised RRR into unoccupied habitats within their native catchment, upstream of natural barriers. The translocation plan involved careful site selection and habitat assessment, predator training (exposure to predators prior to release), soft release (with a gradual transition from captivity to nature), and post‐release monitoring, and this approach was ultimately successful. Two populations of RRR were established in two previously unoccupied streams above waterfalls with a combined stream length of 18 km. Post‐release monitoring was affected by floods and low sample sizes, but suggested that predation and time of release are important factors to consider in similar conservation recovery programmes for small‐bodied, short‐lived fishes.

show abstract

Towards the development of a standardized method to monitor lakeshore hydromorphological restoration measures

Garron,

Pangaud,

Taubaty

et al. 2024

Aquatic Conservation

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Lakes host a high level of biodiversity, especially in their littoral zone, and provide various ecological and socio‐economic services. Lake ecosystems are impacted by a combination of pressures from different human activities (industry, hydroelectricity, agriculture, recreational activities, domestic and urban uses). Anthropic pressures can lead to alterations and dysfunctions in lakes, particularly in the littoral zone. The 2000 EU Water Framework Directive led to considerable efforts to improve the ecological status of European water bodies. However, in France, measures implemented by lake managers to counteract, limit or suppress anthropogenic impacts are still poorly identified. Moreover, their effects on hydromorphology, physico‐chemistry and biotic communities are often only partially reported (the monitoring being incomplete or heterogeneous, if not missing). This paper proposes a framework to harmonize the monitoring of habitat improvement actions conducted in the littoral zone of lakes. The monitoring method is presented as well as the sampling protocols and techniques set out to survey both the restored and control zones at the European French territory scale. Long‐term monitoring of hydromorphological, biological and physicochemical features is expected to improve our understanding of recolonization mechanisms following restoration. The proposed approach will therefore guide practitioners to identify the best restoration options and ultimately contribute to the conservation of recipient populations and communities.

show abstract

Habitat preferences and habitat restoration options for small‐bodied and juvenile fish species in the northern Murray–Darling Basin

Abstract: We did this research as part of our overall approach to improving the sustainability and resilience of freshwater fish stocks in Queensland.

Cited by 5 publications

References 32 publications

A compendium of ecological knowledge for restoration of freshwater fishes in Australia

A compendium of ecological knowledge for restoration of freshwater fishes in Australia

Alternative conservation outcomes from aquatic fauna translocations: Losing and saving the Running River rainbowfish

Towards the development of a standardized method to monitor lakeshore hydromorphological restoration measures

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About