Performance of four salmonids species in competition with Atlantic salmon

Economically and culturally important salmonid species often compete with Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) released from stocking programs or that escaped during aquaculture production. Such competitive interactions may lower the individual fitness of these species by reducing survival and body growth. Here, we exposed juvenile brown trout (S. trutta), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha), and coho salmon (O. kisutch) to juvenile Atlantic salmon in artificial streams for 10 months. Survival and fitness-related traits of the four species were not negatively impacted by the presence of Atlantic salmon. The results suggest that brown trout and rainbow trout have better competitive abilities than Atlantic salmon, and that Chinook salmon and coho salmon have limited competitive interactions with Atlantic salmon. Although we discuss certain environmental conditions that can favor Atlantic salmon as a competitor at the juvenile life stage, Atlantic salmon may have little impact on the productivity of these four species.     

Salmonid Spawning Runs and Estimated Ova Production in Normandale Creek of Lake Erie

The Normandale Creek study area (2,531 m²)provides spawning and nursery grounds for lake-run coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), and brown trout (Salmo trutta), In 1973–74, 59 adult salmonids (58% rainbow trout, 39% coho salmon, and 3% brown trout) ascended the stream between 31 October and 12 May. Upstream movements were significantly related to peak stream discharge (r = 0.21) and highly significantly related to discharge occurring on the day following the peak freshet (r = 0.34). Despite a highly significant correlation (r = 0.29) between flow and water temperature, the latter factor is not significantly related with upstream movement of adult fish. Coho salmon spawned at water temperatures of 1 to 10° C between 2 November and 19 December, rainbow trout at 1 to 15° C between 9 November and 14 May, and brown trout at 7° C between 4 and 5 November. Of 86 nests constructed, 60% were disturbed by re-use or sand deposition. From a calculated deposition of 90,403 ova, it is estimated that some 22% survived to emergence.     

The Impacts of Atlantic Salmon Stocking on Rainbow Trout in Barnum House Creek,Lake Ontario

We compared the impacts of stocking age-0 Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) at high and low densities, and no stocking on abundance and growth of age-0 rainbow trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss) in Barnum House Creek, Ontario during 1993 to 2005. A similar stream, Shelter Valley Creek, was chosen as an appropriate reference stream where age-0 Atlantic salmon were not stocked. The catches of age-0 rainbow trout in Barnum House and the reference stream were highly correlated (r = 0.96) during years when no stocking occurred; however, this relationship did not persist in years when Atlantic salmon were stocked. The catch of age-0 rainbow trout in Barnum House Creek was significantly lower under both high (P = 0.00026) and low (P = 0.011) density Atlantic salmon stocking treatments compared with the no stocking treatment. The catches of age-0 rainbow trout and age-0 Atlantic salmon were negatively correlated in Barnum House Creek (r = −0.63). The length of age-0 rainbow trout in Barnum House Creek was depressed significantly (P = 0.004), under the high intensity Atlantic salmon stocking treatment, but not under the low intensity treatment (P = 0.20). In contrast, the length of age-0 rainbow trout in Shelter Valley Creek was unchanged over the same period. Restoration stocking of Atlantic salmon in Lake Ontario tributaries may impact rainbow trout abundance and growth.     

Characterizing physical habitat preferences and thermal refuge occupancy of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) at high river temperatures

Anthropogenic influences, including climate change, are increasing river temperatures in northern and temperate regions and threatening the thermal habitats of native salmonids. When river temperatures exceed the tolerance levels of brook trout and Atlantic salmon, individuals exhibit behavioural thermoregulation by seeking out cold‐water refugia – often created by tributaries and groundwater discharge. Thermal infrared (TIR) imagery was used to map cold‐water anomalies along a 53 km reach of the Cains River, New Brunswick. Trout and salmon parr did not use all identified thermal anomalies as refugia during higher river temperature periods (>21°C). Most small‐bodied trout (8–30 cm) were observed in 80% of the thermal anomalies sampled. Large‐bodied trout (>35 cm) required a more specific set of physical habitat conditions for suitable refugia, that is, 100% of observed large trout used 30% of the anomalies sampled and required water depths >65 cm within or adjacent to the anomaly. Densities of trout were significantly higher within anomalies compared with areas of ambient river temperature. Salmon parr were less aligned with thermal anomalies at the observed temperatures, that is, 59% were found in 65% of the sampled anomalies; and densities were not significantly different within/ outside anomalies. Salmon parr appeared to aggregate at 27°C, and after several events over 27°C variability in aggregation behaviour was observed – some fish aggregated at 25°C, others did not. We stipulate this is due to variances of thermal fatigue. Habitat suitability curves were developed for velocity, temperature, depth, substrate, and deep water availability to characterize conditions preferred by fish during high‐temperature events. These findings are useful for managers as our climate warms, and can potentially be used as a tool to help conserve and enhance thermal refugia for brook trout and Atlantic salmon in similar systems.     

Chinook salmon and rainbow trout catch and temperature distributions in Lake Ontario

We determined the distributions of Chinook salmon and rainbow trout by describing seasonal mean vertical and bathymetric catch depths from 1997 to 2005 using angler creel surveys. We developed and applied a cross-validated model of Lake Ontario temperatures to determine the water temperatures associated with these distributions. During April, Chinook salmon and rainbow trout were found nearshore at a bathymetric depth of 20 m. However, rainbow trout were caught at shallower vertical depths (4 to 6 m) than Chinook salmon (8 to 10 m). Both species moved deeper and farther offshore during May, June, and July. Vertical catch depths were similar, but rainbow trout were found further offshore (40 to 65 m bathymetric depth) than Chinook salmon (35 to 50 m bathymetric depth) during June, July and August. During September, Chinook salmon moved closer to shore (25 to 35 m bathymetric depth) and to shallower depths (9 to 12 m), consistent with river mouth staging associated with spawning. Rainbow trout remained offshore (45 to 60 m bathymetric depth) in deeper water (11 to 16 m). The species occupied significantly different spatial habitats during April, August, and September. Mean catch temperatures of both species were similar and increased seasonally to 13 to 14 °C during August and September. Rainbow trout were caught at cooler temperatures than Chinook salmon during June and July. The estimated temperature distributions agree with independent field studies but are different then previously assumed in bioenergetic models.     

Cooler,bigger; warmer,smaller: Fine-scale thermal heterogeneity maps age class and species distribution in behaviourally thermoregulating salmonids

Behavioural thermoregulation is a survival strategy that occurs in response to an exceedance of thermal stress-inducing thresholds. When salmonids experience exceedance of these thresholds, they seek regions of colder water, known as thermal refuges. During an extreme temperature event of summer 2021 (main stem ~31.5°C) a large aggregation of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar—all age classes) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis—>20 cm) was observed on the Little Southwest Miramichi River in New Brunswick, Canada. Using a drone-mounted thermal infrared (TIR) sensor, fine-scale TIR imagery of the occupied refuge was acquired. Polarized glasses were worn by an onshore observer to make visual observations. Constructing maps from these data we examined the spatial distribution of fish, and the corresponding temperature of the areas they occupied. Salmonids were found to be distributed by age class and species, with the distribution driven by the mosaic of temperatures in the refuge. Young of the year (YOY), 1+, 2+ and adult Atlantic salmon occupied areas with average temperatures ~30.1, 28.8, 25.7 and 21.9°C, respectively; whilst mature brook trout occupied areas ~21.8°C. Noteworthy is the observation of thermally aggregating young of the year Atlantic salmon, and the range in temperatures they occupied (~8°C). One isolated, shallow, cold water patch (~22°C) exclusively held YOY Atlantic salmon. Our findings highlight the importance of several different thermal characteristics of thermal refuges and their link to salmonid occupancy and can aid the design of ecologically meaningful thermal refuge augmentation/restoration projects.     

Contrasting temperatures,waterflows, and light: seasonal habitat selection by young Atlantic salmon and brown trout in a boreonemoral river

Habitat use and habitat selection by young Atlantic salmon and brown trout were investigated by direct underwater observation. We sampled during winter and summer water temperatures (low: 3–7°C; high: 9–12°C) coinciding with low and high waterflows (12–20 and 60–80 m³ s^?1), and during day and night in winter, and on six selected stations in the river. Observations of 396 salmon and 120 trout indicated a distinct seasonal pattern in behaviours and habitat selection. Feeding was the dominant behaviour at high water temperatures during summer. In winter, there was a diurnal pattern in behaviour; both species sheltered in interstitial spaces in the substrate during daylight, but during night held positions on or close to the substrate in slower flowing stream areas. Coarse substrate providing cover was therefore an important habitat factor during daylight at low water temperatures, while slow‐flowing water was important during night. Although spatial niche overlap was considerable both in summer and winter, salmon and trout segregated with respect to meso‐ and microhabitat selection, and relatively more at low temperatures. Both species changed their use of mesohabitats towards more slow‐flowing glide/flat habitats in winter. Irrespective of season, trout preferred in general more slow‐flowing water than salmon did, but the difference was more pronounced in winter. Salmon used a wider range of water depths and in particular water velocities, than did trout. Both species were less tolerant of high water velocities at low water temperatures. The seasonal and diurnal pattern in habitat selection reported have important implications for habitat research and habitat‐hydraulic modelling. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the regulated River Alta: effects of altered water temperature on parr growth

The chief objective of this study was to analyse the effects of altered water temperature, due to the hydropower regulation of the River Alta, on growth of Atlantic salmon parr. The river was developed for hydroelectric purposes in 1987. A 110 m high concrete dam was built in the main river 49 km upstream from the outlet to the sea. The outlet of the power station is located 2.5 km downstream from the dam. The annual regime of water temperature has been altered downstream from the power station because of the regulation. It has decreased 1–2° C during June, July and the first half of August, while it has increased up to 3° C during late summer. During winter, water temperature has increased from 0° C to about 0.3–0.4° C. Atlantic salmon is the predominant fish species in the river. They can penetrate 46 km from the sea, up to the outlet of the power station. In this paper I have studied the relationship between growth of juvenile Atlantic salmon and water temperature in the upper part of the river. At similar temperatures, the growth rate of salmon parr in the River Alta is higher in early summer than later in the growing season. In early summer the salmon grew faster than the maximum rate predicted by a recently published model. Therefore, I adjusted the model to describe growth rates of salmon in early summer (ice break to mid‐August), using data derived prior to the hydropower development (1981–1986). The new model proved effective at describing growth rates of fish in early summer following the hydropower development (1987–1996). After development, growth rates decreased during early summer, but increased correspondingly later in the season. There was close agreement between these growth changes and the altered annual regime of river temperature. Overall, only minor changes in annual growth rates have been observed after the hydropower development. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identifying Temperature Thresholds Associated with Fish Community Changes in British Columbia,Canada, to Support Identification of Temperature Sensitive Streams

We collected fish samples and measured physical habitat characteristics, including summer stream temperatures, at 156 sites in 50 tributary streams in two sampling areas (Upper Fraser and Thompson Rivers) in British Columbia, Canada. Additional watershed characteristics were derived from GIS coverages of watershed, hydrological and climatic variables. Maximum weekly average temperature (MWAT), computed as an index of summer thermal regime, ranged from 10 to 23 °C. High values of MWAT were associated with large, warm, low relief watersheds with a high lake influence. Measures of community similarity suggested that the fish community changed most rapidly through a lower transition zone at an MWAT of about 12 °C and an upper transition zone at an MWAT of about 19 °C. These results were confirmed using existing fisheries inventory data combined with predictions of MWAT from a landscape‐scale regression model for the Thompson River watershed. For headwater sites in the Chilcotin River watershed (which drains into the middle Fraser River), the relative dominance of bull trout versus rainbow trout (based on inventory data) decreased with increasing predicted MWAT although the distinction was not as clear as for the Thompson River sites. The fish communities in these watersheds can be characterized in terms of very cold water (bull trout and some cold water species), cold water (salmonids and sculpins) and cool water (minnows and some cold water salmonids). The two transition zones (ca 12 and 19 °C) can be used to identify thresholds where small changes in stream temperature can be expected to lead to large changes in fish communities. Such clear, quantifiable thresholds are critical components of a management strategy designed to identify and protect vulnerable fish communities in streams where poor land use practices, alone or in combination with climatic change, can lead to changes in stream temperatures. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Wild juvenile salmonid abundance in Wisconsin tributaries indicates limited contributions to Lake Michigan fisheries

Natural reproduction of salmonids occurs in many Lake Michigan tributaries, yet little is known about abundance and the potential contribution of wild fish hatching in Wisconsin tributaries. The objectives of our study were to determine if: 1) abundance of wild juvenile salmonids (primarily adfluvial rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, referred to as steelhead) varied among selected Wisconsin streams based on available spawning and age-0 habitat; 2) stream temperature regimes could limit survival of juvenile salmonids, and 3) wild juvenile salmonids outmigrate from Wisconsin tributaries into Lake Michigan or larger tributaries. In 2016 and 2017, juvenile salmonid abundance was estimated in six Wisconsin tributaries to Lake Michigan by multiple-pass depletion sampling using backpack electrofishing. Habitat assessments included steelhead redd surveys, age-0 habitat surveys, and stream temperatures were monitored using in-stream loggers. Passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging and PIT antennas were used to detect outmigration from three streams (Willow, Stony and Hibbard creeks). Population estimates for individual streams ranged from 75 to 2276 for juvenile steelhead and from 0 to 243 for juvenile coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch. No correlation was detected between juvenile steelhead abundance and quality age-0 habitat. Stream temperatures rarely exceeded the thermal limit for steelhead (27 °C). Outmigration rates for three streams ranged from 0.6% to 3.1%, but these estimates were considered minimum values. Low abundance of wild juvenile steelhead and coho salmon alone suggest that the contributions of these tributaries to Lake Michigan fisheries are likely small. Furthermore, relying on returns of wild steelhead produced in these streams is probably insufficient to maintain stream fisheries.     

Temperature response in the physiology and growth of lake trout strains stocked in the Laurentian Great Lakes

Fish stocking programs designed for species rehabilitation aim to match the strains being stocked with the environments the fish will inhabit. The ability of different lake trout Salvelinus namaycush populations to adjust their physiological performance over a broad range of environmental conditions will be advantageous as water temperatures rise with climate warming. This study compares the adaptive physiological potential of 6 strains of lake trout stocked within the Laurentian Great Lakes by comparing growth, metabolic and cardiovascular performance, and organ-system tradeoffs across a temperature gradient. Using a common garden design, lake trout were raised from the embryonic stage until 2 years of age, when they were acclimated to temperatures of 8, 11, 15 and 19 °C before undergoing experiments to test their metabolic performance. For all strains, growth rates showed a dome-shaped response with temperature, peaking at 11 °C and reaching negative rates at 19 °C. For 5 of 6 strains, metabolic rates increased while in all strains cardiovascular performance declined with increasing temperature. Higher metabolic rates at higher temperatures generally came at the cost of slower growth, less investment into gastrointestinal mass, and reduced cardiovascular fitness and investment. Importantly, though, the Seneca strain was unique by showing a reduction of aerobic scope at the highest temperature, possibly indicating increased costs as temperature rises in this smaller-sized, potentially slower pace-of-life strain. However, the overall low interpopulation variability in our study suggests limited diversity in the physiological responses to temperature in strains stocked across the Great Lakes basin.     

Chronology of rainbow trout reproduction in a warmwater tributary of the Chattahoochee River: using an invasive species as an indicator of watershed integrity

The Chattahoochee River near Atlanta, Georgia, USA is a stocked tailwater trout (Salmonidae) fishery and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) have been found to spawn in selected warmwater tributary streams. Because these stocked fish enter non‐stocked waters and produce offspring that reside year‐round, they are technically invasive. One tributary in particular, Cabin Creek, has had documented spawning activity for three consecutive years since the stream was monitored. We chronicled the production of the 2006 year‐class of rainbow trout in this small, warmwater tributary to the Chattahoochee River. Based on electrofishing samples and otolith microstructure, the 2006 year‐class of trout were produced from spawning that occurred from 6 February 2006 to 10 March 2006. Fish from this year‐class grew from an average size of 34.28 mm total length (TL) on 26 April 2007 to 102.00 mm TL on 14 May 2007, which is an average increase in size of 67.72 mm over a 383‐day period or 0.18 mm/day. Water temperatures in the stream were near the lethal limits for rainbow trout, reaching a maximum of 24.57°C on 1 August 2006 and a maximum 7‐day average maximum (M7DAM) of 22.99°C on 7 August 2006. The watershed of Cabin Creek is one of the least urbanized in the area, protected from development within lands owned by the National Park Service, with high levels of forest cover, which facilitates rainbow trout young‐of‐year survival through the summer. Thus, the documented spawning and young‐of‐year survival of this invasive species appears to be indicative of high forested watershed integrity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Trophic ecology of salmonine predators in northern Lake Huron with emphasis on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Pacific salmon were introduced to the Great Lakes in the 1960s and now support major recreational fishery. Population declines resulting from invasive species have prompted agencies to consider diversifying sport fisheries through stocking. Atlantic salmon are native to Lake Ontario, but a small fishery has developed in northern Lake Huron since the 1990s that appears suited to the Lake Huron food web leading to requests for increased stocking by anglers and consideration by agencies. However, no study has evaluated the trophic ecology of Atlantic salmon in relation to other salmonine predators in northern Lake Huron. In this study, we used stable isotopes of carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N), along with mercury (Hg) concentrations to assess resource use, niche overlap, and contaminant accumulation in Atlantic salmon compared to select Lake Huron predators. Atlantic salmon exhibited considerable niche overlap with Chinook and coho salmon but were strongly differentiated from lake trout. In addition, we observed that Atlantic salmon had similar Hg concentrations as coho but were lower than both Chinook salmon and lake trout. Based upon the relationship between fish size, δ¹⁵N, and Hg, Atlantic salmon bioaccumulate Hg similarly to Pacific salmon but likely have lower consumptive demands than Chinook salmon. Continued attention should be placed on understanding how Atlantic salmon fit into the current Lake Huron food web in order to evaluate the long-term efficacy of the Atlantic salmon stocking program.     

Habitat utilization and preferences in juvenile atlantic salmon (salmo salar) in streams

Young Atlantic salmon appear to occupy similar suitable stream habitats year round. The salmon is stationary, often associated with “home stones”. At low water temperatures in winter, the fish seek shelter in the substrate, which has to be coarse enough to provide interstices for the fish to hide in. In summer, salmon select habitats within tolerable ranges of habitat variables, rather than narrow optima. It is suggested that a genetic basis to habitat evaluation allows incorporation of the full range of behavioural responses. This is important as partially different habitats may be selected in diverse streams. Habitat availability influences both habitat use and habitat preferences. Suitable summer habitats have depths in the range 5–90 cm; mean water velocities 10–80 cm s^?1, and gravel-to-boulder substratum. Fish size affects habitat use, as young of the year are found in the more shallow habitats closer to the stream banks, whereas the older parr use a wider range of habitats. In the absence of brown trout, the Atlantic salmon parr, and especially young of the year, use habitats otherwise inhabited by brown trout. Water velocities are in many cases the principal physical habitat variable determining the distribution of Atlantic salmon in streams, but other variables are also important. Depth is more important in small streams than in large streams.     

Nearshore Spatial Distribution of Fishes in Gill Net Samples,Cayuga Lake,New York

Cayuga Lake fishes were collected monthly with experimental gill nets at depths of 2 to 31.5 m. Horizontally-placed nets were arranged to allow determinations of vertical and inshore-offshore variation in fish distribution and occupied temperatures. Warmwater species concentrated in inshore and surface waters at 19-23° C during the summer. Coldwater species concentrated in hypolimnetic waters at 9-15° C during the summer. Seasonal inshore-offshore movements were evident with all species except those which were captured only close to shore (northern pike, carp, smallmouth bass, white sucker). Depth ranges in which greatest numbers of common species occurred in the summer (July-September) were: alewife, inshore and surface to 15.3 m; lake trout, 15.3 to 30.5 m or more; northern pike, inshore and surface to 15.3 m; rainbow smelt, 7.6 to 30.5 m or more; spottail shiner, inshore and 7.6 m; trout-perch, inshore and 7.6 to 15.3 m; yellow perch, inshore and 7.6 to 15.3 m. Mean occupied temperatures (° C) of common species during the summer were: alewife 18.4 to 20.9; lake trout, 12.5 to 13.6; northern pike, 19.4; rainbow smelt, 10.4-14.4; spottail shiner, 19.6 to 21.5; trout-perch, 18.7-21.3; yellow perch, 19.4 to 21.0. Depth distribution was obviously influenced by temperature preferences and also by availability of food in certain species. Catch size was directly related to water temperatures in several species.     

Effects of elevated water temperature on fish and macroinvertebrate communities below small dams

Many studies have investigated the ecological changes that occur below dams that release cold, hypolimnetic water, but very few studies have looked at the effects of the release of warm, surface waters. The effect of small, surface release dams on downstream thermal regimes is a major habitat concern for many cold‐water systems, however. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of summer temperature increases due to impoundment on downstream fish and macroinvertebrate communities in cold‐water streams. We sampled fish, macroinvertebrates and habitat upstream and downstream of dams on ten rivers during the summers of 1998 and 1999. Changes in mean summer temperature downstream varied from a cooling of 1 °C to an increase of more than 5 °C. Increasing temperatures downstream coincided with lower densities of several cold‐water fish species, specifically brown trout (Salmo trutta), brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus) while overall fish species richness increased downstream. Density of mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdi), another cold‐water species, was not related to temperature changes below the dams. Macroinvertebrates showed shifts in community composition below dams that increased temperature. This study provides information useful for determining the extent of impact of these small, surface release dams, which are abundant across the country. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Drying Temperature Effects on Fish Dry Mass Measurements

Analysis of tissue composition in fish often requires dry samples. Time needed to dry fish decreases as temperature is increased, but additional volatile material may be lost. Effects of 10°C temperature increases on percentage dry mass (%DM) were tested against 60°C controls for groups of lake trout Salvelinus namaycush, rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax, slimy sculpin Cottus cognatus, and alewife Alosa pseudoharengus. Lake trout %DMs were lower at greater temperatures, but not significantly different from 60°C controls. Rainbow smelt and slimy sculpin %DMs were lower at greater temperatures and differences were significant when test temperatures reached 90°C. Significant differences were not found in tests using alewives because variability in %DM was high between fish. To avoid inter-fish variability, 30 alewives were each dried successively at 60, 70, 80, and then 90°C and for all fish %DM declined at each higher temperature. In general, %DMs were lower at greater temperatures and after reaching a stable dry weight, fish did not lose additional mass if temperature remained constant. Results indicate that caution should be used when comparing dry mass related indices from fish dried at different temperatures because %DM was negatively related to temperature. The differences in %DM observed with rising temperature could account for substantial portions of the variability in reported energy values for the species tested. Differences in %DM means for the 60 vs. 80°C and 60 vs. 90°C tests for rainbow smelt and alewife could represent of from 8 to 38% of observed annual energy cycles for Lakes Ontario and Michigan.     

Causes of mortality of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) smolts in a restored river and its estuary

During October 2000 to August 2002, the River Skjern Nature Project was implemented by removing dykes and re‐meandering 20.5 km of the lower canalized river. As a consequence the length of the river stretch increased to 23 km. A lake of 250 ha developed in the river valley 5 km upstream from the river mouth because of subsiding soils caused by reclamation and drainage since the 1960s. Using radiotelemetry, the mortality of wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) smolts in the River Skjern and its estuary was investigated prior to and after the implementation of the project. Altogether, 77 Atlantic salmon and 66 brown trout smolts were caught, tagged and released in the river upstream of the restoration project during the spring of 2000 and 2002. The in‐river smolt mortality was more than double in 2002 for both Atlantic salmon and brown trout compared with 2000. This was primarily due to bird predation in 2002 which was not observed in 2000. The in‐river bird predation in 2002 was mediated by the new lake, which quickly became an important bird rest area. Estuarine mortality mainly caused by cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) differed significantly between species, but was high for both Atlantic salmon (39%) and brown trout (12%) in both years of investigation. The aggregated smolt mortality in the river and in the estuary (48%) may threaten an indigenous self‐sustaining Atlantic salmon population in the River Skjern. When planning river restoration projects, caution should be used, especially where permanently flooded floodplains (lakes) develop due to subsiding soil. In situations where rivers pass directly through newly developed lakes, migratory species such as Atlantic salmon and brown trout may be severely affected due to increased exposure to predation from predatory fish and birds. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The introduction of woody debris into a channelized stream: effect on trout populations and habitat

Large woody debris was explored as a method of restructuring channelized streams to improve salmonid habitat. Whole trees were inserted in sections along a 2 km reach of a channelized stream to determine if large woody debris: (1) increased the abundance and biomass of brown (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss); (2) had an effect on physical habitat features; and (3) provided trouts with additional habitat. Trout populations and stream morphology were monitored before and after the introduction of woody debris and compared to control sections lacking woody debris. Abundance and biomass of both brown and rainbow trout increased in the treatment section compared to the control. Maximum and standard deviation of fish total length increased in all sections during summer months. The number of individuals and the standard deviations of total lengths decreased in the control section in winter, but increased in the treatment section. Mean water velocities decreased and number and volume of pools increased in treatment sections. Brown and rainbow trouts sought woody debris structures for cover. We conclude that large woody debris can serve as a method of reconstructing channelized streams to improve salmonid habitat. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

What Drives Warming Trends in Streams? A Case Study from the Alpine Foothills

We investigated the effects of climate warming and land‐use changes on the temperature and discharge of seven Swiss and Italian streams in the catchment of Lake Lugano. In addition, we attempted to predict future stream conditions based on regional climate scenarios. Between 1976 and 2012, the study streams warmed by 1.5–4.3 °C, whereas discharge showed no long‐term trends. Warming trends were driven mainly by catchment urbanization and two large‐scale climatic oscillations, the North Atlantic Oscillation and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation. In comparison, independent influences by radiative forcing due to increased atmospheric CO₂ were uncertain. However, radiative forcing was predicted to further increase stream temperature (to +3–7 °C), reduce summer discharge (to ?46%) and increase winter discharge (to +96%) between the present and 2070–2099. These results provide new insights into the drivers of long‐term temperature and discharge trends in European streams subject to multiple impacts. The picture emerging is one of transition, where greenhouse‐gas forcing is gaining ground over climate oscillations and urbanization, the drivers of past trends. This shift would impress a more directional nature upon future changes in stream temperature and discharge, and extend anthropogenic warming to rural streams. Diffusing future impacts on stream ecosystems would require adaptation measures at local to national scales and mitigation of greenhouse‐gas emissions at the global scale. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.