Evidence of population resistance to extreme low flows in a fluvial-dependent fish species
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Abstract
Extreme low streamflows are natural disturbances to aquatic populations. Species in naturally intermittent streams display adaptations that enhance persistence during extreme events; however, the fate of populations in perennial streams during unprecedented low-flow periods is not well-understood. Biota requiring swift-flowing habitats may be especially vulnerable to flow reductions. We estimated the abundance and local survival of a native fluvial-dependent fish species (Etheostoma inscriptum) across 5 years encompassing historic low flows in a sixth-order southeastern USA perennial river. Based on capturemark-recapture data, the study shoal may have acted as a refuge during severe drought, with increased young-of-the-year (YOY) recruitment and occasionally high adult immigration. Contrary to expectations, summer and autumn survival rates (30 days) were not strongly depressed during low-flow periods, despite 25%-80% reductions in monthly discharge. Instead, YOY survival increased with lower minimum discharge and in response to small rain events that increased low-flow variability. Age-1+ fish showed the opposite pattern, with survival decreasing in response to increasing low-flow variability. Results from this population dynamics study of a small fish in a perennial river suggest that fluvial-dependent species can be resistant to extreme flow reductions through enhanced YOY recruitment and high survival
Suggested Citation
Katz, R.A., Freeman, M., 2015, Evidence of population resistance to extreme low flows in a fluvial-dependent fish species: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, v. 11, no. 29, p. 1776-1787, https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2015-0173.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Evidence of population resistance to extreme low flows in a fluvial-dependent fish species |
| Series title | Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences |
| DOI | 10.1139/cjfas-2015-0173 |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue | 29 |
| Year Published | 2015 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | NRC Research Press |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 12 p. |
| First page | 1776 |
| Last page | 1787 |
| Country | United States |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |