Site fidelity and seasonal habitat preferences of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in a temperate regulated reservoir

Bunt, Christopher M.; Jacobson, Bailey; Fernandes, Timothy; Ridgway, Luke; McMeans, Bailey

doi:10.1007/s10750-021-04582-1

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…The dynamic nature of pool habitats modified by check dams which is evident from the results can have serious implications on the life history of the overwintering tadpoles. Habitat constraints can lead to altered use of preferred habitat types and increasing competition, overexploitation, and vulnerability to predation (Bunt, Jacobson, Fernandes, Ridgway, & McMeans, 2021). Effects of reduced persistent base flow and other hydrological alterations observed in human‐altered landscapes and the importance of aquatic refugia such as pools during low‐flow scenarios must be taken seriously (Dodds, Gido, Whiles, Fritz, & Matthews, 2004; Perry & Bond, 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the influence of check dam and season on habitat use to develop habitat suitability criteria for overwintering tadpoles of Nanorana spp.

Jithin

Das

Johnson

2022

River Research & Apps

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Understanding habitat availability and use patterns are essential in developing comprehensive conservation strategies for focal species. Studies on amphibian larval habitat use are limited, especially from modified habitats. We investigated the habitat availability and use patterns of overwintering tadpoles of the Nanorana frog in an anthropogenically modified stream in the western Himalaya. Habitat was assessed in terms of depth, velocity, substrate type, and instream cover. We quantified the microhabitat preference of the tadpoles to develop habitat suitability criteria (HSC) curves, the biological component of habitat simulation tools used in instream flow management. We analyzed the data covering winter and post‐winter seasons using cumulative link mixed models to understand the influence of check dams and seasons on the hydraulic properties of microhabitats used by the tadpoles. We confirm the influence of check dam and season on velocity and the influence of season on depth used by the tadpoles. Based on this, we generated HSCs for tadpoles occurring in natural and modified pools during both seasons. We recommend intermediate water depths (30–60 cm) during the low flow season to sustain the tadpole population in the study stream and other required habitat features. The study underlines the importance of spatial and temporal variation in the habitat suitability for Nanorana tadpoles. These HSCs can be used in hydrological models for estimating the minimum ecological flow for overwintering tadpoles in the study area. A large‐scale study based on the recommendations can lead to a better conservation plan in light of altered streamflow in the western Himalaya region.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the influence of check dam and season on habitat use to develop habitat suitability criteria for overwintering tadpoles of Nanorana spp.

Jithin

Das

Johnson

2022

River Research & Apps

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“…Where site fidelity has been expressed, previous knowledge of available resources and predation risk at the site have been shown to increase an individual's fitness (Gavin & Bollinger, 1988; Gehr et al., 2020; Lafontaine et al., 2017; Welch et al., 2000). Site‐specific fidelity has been reported across a range of disparate animal taxa, including fish (Bunt et al., 2021; Compaire et al., 2022), birds (Gerber et al., 2019; Willie et al., 2020), amphibians (Balázs et al., 2020; Denoël et al., 2017), reptiles (Baltazar‐Soares et al., 2020; Evans et al., 2019), and mammals (Gehr et al., 2020; Morrison et al., 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Woodland caribou calving fidelity: Spatial location, habitat, or both?

Walker,

Rodgers,

Shuter

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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Individuals that isolate themselves to give birth can use more than one strategy in choosing birth sites to maximize reproductive success. Previous research has focused on the consistency in the use of the same birth‐site across years (i.e., spatial fidelity), but individuals alternatively may use similar habitat conditions across years (i.e., habitat fidelity). Using GPS telemetry, we determined whether woodland caribou expressed spatial or habitat fidelity during calving, and evaluated intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with expressing either type of fidelity. We identified 56 individuals with ≥2 putative birth events, via a movement‐based model, across northern Ontario between 2010 and 2014. Individuals were classified as expressing (1) spatial fidelity by comparing sequential calving locations to a random spatial distribution of available calving locations, (2) habitat fidelity using a logistic use model compared to a null (intercept only) model, (3) no fidelity (neither criterion met), or (4) both spatial and habitat fidelity (both criteria met). Across all individuals, 37% expressed no fidelity (36 of 98), 15% expressed only spatial fidelity (15 of 99), 35% expressed only habitat fidelity (34 of 98), and 14% expressed both spatial and habitat fidelity (14 of 98). Older individuals were more likely to express spatial fidelity, whereas lower availability of upland and lowland conifer forests without linear features increased the probability an individual expressed habitat fidelity. Our results indicate that managing for caribou calving needs to consider protecting both specific, known birthing sites, but also broad‐scale areas of preferred habitat for calving. Understanding the mechanisms that influence caribou expressing calving fidelity, and associated fitness costs, is crucial for the conservation of the species.

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“…Further, most muskellunge selected to overwinter in river segment 2 and were subsequently confined for the duration of winter, potentially rendering them vulnerable to increased exploitation, predation, and/ or competition (Bunt et al 2021).…”

Section: Reach Connectivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Evaluating Native and Invasive Fish Connectivity and Spatial Ecology in Canada’s Historic Rideau Canal Waterway

Bergman

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As global freshwater biodiversity continues to deteriorate rapidly, it is critical that system-specific conservation actions are identified and implemented. In interconnected freshwater systems like waterways and canals, foremost threats include river fragmentation and connectivity loss, and the diffusion of invasive species. However, managing barrier (e.g., locks, dams) connectivity in waterways to selectively allow and restrict passage of native and invasive species, respectively, is a major global challenge. Canada's historic Rideau Canal Waterway, located in eastern Ontario, is interconnected by 24 operating lockstations and embodies this challenge. To minimize invasive species dispersal, without compromising connectivity to native species, we must first assess if, when, and to what extent native and invasive fishes move throughout the waterway and the potential factors influencing movements.Within each reach (i.e., the waters between two lockstations), connectivity may also seasonally vary due to ice formations and reduced flows and/or water levels, though literature on this topic is currently limited. Here, we blended several fish tracking methods with ecohydraulics and management consultations to evaluate system connectivity and fish movement patterns. Three native fishes, largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides; N = 56), muskellunge (Esox masquinongy; N = 23), and northern pike (Esox lucius; N = 114), and two invasive fishes, common carp (Cyprinus carpio; N = 54) and round goby (Neogobius melanostomus; N = 45), were acoustically tagged and tracked in 2019-2021 across 45 km of the waterway. Additionally, we externally (anchor) tagged 9564 individuals across 15 species, with tags deployed in 2018-2023, to evaluate potential passages and general space use.Movement data suggests that lockstations reduce, but not entirely restrict, connectivity, and that seasonal water-level drawdowns further reduce connectivity within river reaches. We found that most passages were in the direction of flow, a potential issue to native upstream migratory species. Notably, while we documented several native fish species conducting inter-reach movements, no common carp passages were detected and only a single round goby moved upstream through a lock. Results from this research add to the limited, but growing, literature base of native and invasive fish movements in waterways, providing evidence and suggestions for managers and conservation groups to develop selective fish passage strategies or take restorative actions. Given that waterways are pervasive globally, this research informs not only the conservation and management of fish populations in the Rideau Canal Waterway, but of other waterways in Canada and beyond. Chapter 4: Multi-year evaluation of muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) spatial ecology during winter drawdowns in a regulated, urban waterway in Canada……………………….………………87 4.1. Abstract………………………………………………………….…….……………………………………87 4.2. Introduction…………………………………………………..………….…………………………………87 9 4.3. Materials and methods……………………...

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Site fidelity and seasonal habitat preferences of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in a temperate regulated reservoir

Cited by 6 publications

References 38 publications

Understanding the influence of check dam and season on habitat use to develop habitat suitability criteria for overwintering tadpoles of Nanorana spp.

Understanding the influence of check dam and season on habitat use to develop habitat suitability criteria for overwintering tadpoles of Nanorana spp.

Woodland caribou calving fidelity: Spatial location, habitat, or both?

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Evaluating Native and Invasive Fish Connectivity and Spatial Ecology in Canada’s Historic Rideau Canal Waterway

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