Water Depth and Velocity Preferences of Spawning Atlantic Salmon in Maine Rivers

Beland, Kenneth F.; Jordan, Richard M.; Meister, Alfred L.

doi:10.1577/1548-8659(1982)2<11:wdavpo>2.0.co;2

Cited by 44 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Artificial manipulation of flow can affect the habitats of aquatic organisms (Beland et al 1982;Lancaster and Hildrew 1993;Xenopoulos and Lodge 2006), and the modification of upper river basin flow can in some cases impact even on estuarine ecosystems (Loneragan and Bunn 1999). As such, the maintenance of an appropriate flow from the perspective of the natural flow regime is vital to the protection of river environments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in fish assemblage structure with variability of flow in two different channel types

2007

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Despite the fact that flow and channel morphology are two critical factors that need to be taken into account when considering the conservation or restoration of river environments, there are no reports on the response of fish assemblages to changes involving both variables in combination. This study examined the response of fish assemblages to artificially induced changes in flow discharge in an experimental stream that had simple (a glide reach) and complex (pool-riffle reach) morphologies. When the flow of the glide reach was increased, the fish assemblage structure changed from one dominated by the demersal species Misgurnus anguillicaudatus and Cobitis sp. to one dominated by the water-column species Zacco platypus and Gnathopogon elongatus. In the pool-riffle reach, the fish assemblage structure changed from one dominated by Cobitis sp. and Z. platypus to one dominated by Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis. When the flow discharge was low, the fish assemblages of both reach types resembled each other in being dominated largely by demersal species, but when flow was increased these similarities faded and distinct assemblages emerged. In the glide reach, increasing the flow volume caused a linear increase in both water depth and velocity and a gradual increase in the diversity of water-column species, their relative abundance, and size. The number of Z. platypus increased fivefold whereas the number of M. anguillicaudatus decreased to less than a quarter of their original number. In the pool-riffle reach, the number of P. altivelis altivelis grew conspicuously although increased flow produced no clear increase in depth or velocity. Calculation of the availability of physical habitat environments suitable for Z. platypus and P. altivelis altivelis in each reach type indicated that preferable habitat for both species was more available in the glide reach. The lower abundance of P. altivelis altivelis in the glide reach was attributed to the relatively low availability of algal food resource due to the sand-predominated substrate whereas pebbles predominated in the pool-riffle reach providing good conditions for algal growth. Our findings suggest the need for a framework for considering environmental flow that takes into account variables such as channel morphology and food resource conditions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in fish assemblage structure with variability of flow in two different channel types

2007

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“…It is widely recognised that instream hydraulic and sedimentary characteristics govern many aspects of life in rivers and streams (e.g., Beland et al, 1982;Crisp and Carling, 1989;Lancaster and Hildrew, 1993;Moir et al, 1998Moir et al, , 2002. The microhabitat requirements of both Pacific and Atlantic salmonid species are well known, with many studies illustrating that individuals actively select particular combinations of water depth, velocity, and substrate (e.g., Heggenes and Saltveit, 1990).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Linking channel geomorphic characteristics to spatial patterns of spawning activity and discharge use by Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

et al. 2004

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“…He described ideal spawning beds as areas of gravel in riffles, sloping gently downstream with large pools at either end. Subsequently others have recorded preferred depths between 21 and 49 cm (ranges 9-76 cm), and preferred midwater velocities between 31 and 55 cm s -~ (ranges 15-90 cm s -1) (Pratt, 1968;Beland et al, 1982;Heggberget et al, 1988). Mills (1973) noted that spawning areas were favourable where gradient was less than 3%.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Atlantic salmon in fresh water: spawning, rearing and production

Gibson

1993

Rev Fish Biol Fisheries

197

150

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Water Depth and Velocity Preferences of Spawning Atlantic Salmon in Maine Rivers

Cited by 44 publications

References 5 publications

Changes in fish assemblage structure with variability of flow in two different channel types

Changes in fish assemblage structure with variability of flow in two different channel types

Linking channel geomorphic characteristics to spatial patterns of spawning activity and discharge use by Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

The Atlantic salmon in fresh water: spawning, rearing and production

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