scholarly journals Environmental drivers of benthic fish assemblages and fish‐habitat associations in offshore areas of a very large river

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoltan Szalóky ◽  
Vivien Füstös ◽  
Balazs Tóth ◽  
Tibor Erős
Keyword(s):  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Fish Habitat ◽  
Large River ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Benthic Fish

Geographic, anthropogenic, and habitat influences on Great Lakes coastal wetland fish assemblages

2009 ◽  
Vol 66 (8) ◽  
pp. 1328-1342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anett S. Trebitz ◽  
John C. Brazner ◽  
Nicholas P. Danz ◽  
Mark S. Pearson ◽  
Gregory S. Peterson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Aquatic Vegetation ◽  
Coastal Wetland ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Fish Habitat ◽  
Water Clarity ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Submerged Vegetation ◽  
Great Lakes Coastal Wetland ◽  
Natural Watersheds

We analyzed data from coastal wetlands across the Laurentian Great Lakes to identify fish assemblage patterns and relationships to habitat, watershed condition, and regional setting. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination of electrofishing catch-per-effort data revealed an overriding geographic and anthropogenic stressor gradient that appeared to structure fish composition via impacts on water clarity and vegetation structure. Wetlands in Lakes Erie and Michigan with agricultural watersheds, turbid water, little submerged vegetation, and a preponderance of generalist, tolerant fishes occupied one end of this gradient, while wetlands in Lake Superior with largely natural watersheds, clear water, abundant submerged vegetation, and diverse fishes occupied the other. Fish composition was also related to wetland morphology, hydrology, exposure, and substrate, but this was only evident within low-disturbance wetlands. Anthropogenic stress appears to homogenize fish composition among wetlands and mask other fish–habitat associations. Because land use is strongly spatially patterned across the Great Lakes and aquatic vegetation is a key habitat element that responds to both biogeography and disturbance, it is difficult to disentangle natural from anthropogenic drivers of coastal wetland fish composition.

scholarly journals The influence of habitat on the spatio-temporal dynamics of fish assemblages in a lagoon-estuarine system of the Mexican Pacific

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-37
Author(s):  
Emilio I. Romero-Berny ◽  
Ernesto Velázquez-Velázquez ◽  
Juan J. Schmitter-Soto ◽  
Isaías H. Salgado-Ugarte
Keyword(s):  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Fish Habitat ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Estuarine System ◽  
Nursery Ground ◽  
Fish Assemblage Structure ◽  
Mexican Pacific ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Fish assemblages change significantly with physical and chemical characteristics of water; however, their response to the variability of geomorphic habitats has been rarely evaluated in lagoon-estuarine in one of these systems of the Mexican Pacific. Spatio-temporal variation of fish assemblage structure was assessed for three habitats: lagoon, estuarine, channel and inlet. The hypothesis was that sheltered areas support comparatively higher richness and abundance of fish species, with more small-sized specimens than the most exposed areas. We found that the ichthyofauna differed significantly among habitats. Several species were smaller in the lagoon compared with the other habitats, suggesting a use of the lagoon as a nursery ground. Moreover, dominant species for the lagoon were rarely found or absent in the inlet, whereas others were found only present or with higher abundance in the inlet. Although seasonal differences in richness and composition were detected, the evidence of fish-habitat associations for many species was noticeable regardless of seasonality, probably due to a high percentage of resident species during the annual cycle. The lagoon supports a greater abundance and species richness, due to a more sheltered and structured habitat, evidencing habitat-driven segregation in fish assemblages, and an aspect that should be incorporated for management of coastal ecosystems.

Flow-induced alterations to fish assemblages, habitat and fish–habitat associations in a regulated lowland river

Hydrobiologia ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 722 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Bice ◽  
S. L. Gehrig ◽  
B. P. Zampatti ◽  
J. M. Nicol ◽  
P. Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Fish Habitat ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Lowland River

Historical Changes in Large River Fish Assemblages of the Americas

2005 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Fish Habitat ◽  
Large River ◽  
Anadromous Fish ◽  
Susquehanna River ◽  
Assessment Specialists ◽  
Industrial Operations

<em>Abstract.</em>—The Susquehanna River drains portions of New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, and is the 18th largest river (by discharge) in the United States. Although relatively undeveloped (i.e., 63% of the basin is forested, whereas 9% is urban), the river and its fish assemblage have experienced stresses associated with coal mining, logging, electric power generation, population growth, and agricultural and industrial operations. Surveys of Susquehanna River fishes have a rich history, with the qualitative surveys of 19th century naturalists giving way to the quantitative studies of 20th century environmental impact assessment specialists. Ichthyofaunal surveys of the Susquehanna drainage were compiled and summarized herein to examine species composition, losses, and additions. Collection records indicate that the Susquehanna River drainage supports a diverse and relatively stable assemblage of 60 native species (or 51% of all species), 33 (28%) alien species, 22 (19%) euryhaline or diadromous fishes, and 2 (2%) extirpated or extinct species. Stocking efforts, bait-bucket releases, range extensions, and new species descriptions accounted for most contemporary species additions. Overall reduction in species richness has been limited to one cyprinid that has not been collected since 1862, and one darter species that has not been collected since 1987. Construction of four large hydroelectric dams on the lower Susquehanna (in the early 20th century) eliminated 98% of historic anadromous fish habitat, leading to notable reductions in commercial/ recreational clupeid stocks. Recent increases in the occurrence and abundance of anadromous fish in the Susquehanna River are a credit to an extensive restoration program that began with fish trap and transfer operations in 1972, included fish culture programs, and led to the installation of fish passage technologies at each of the four dams.

scholarly journals Effects of Macroalgal Habitats on the Community and Population Structure of Temperate Reef Fishes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Alejandro Perez Matus
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Fish Habitat ◽  
Reef Fishes ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Brown Macroalgae ◽  
Reef Fish Species

<p>Two families of brown macroalgae that occur in sympatry dominate temperate subtidal rocky coasts: the Laminareales, and the Fucales. Both of these families are habitat-forming species for a wide variety of invertebrates and fishes. Variation in the presence, density, and composition of brown macroalgae can have large influences on the evolution and ecology of associated organisms. Here, using a series of observational and experimental studies, I evaluated the effects of heterogeneity in the composition of brown macroalgal stands at the population and community levels for reef fishes. A central ecological challenge is the description of patterns that occur at local scales, and how these are manifested at larger ones. I conducted further sampling across a set of sites nested within locations over three regions, Juan Fernandez Islands (Chile), Northern New Zealand, and Tasmania (Australia), to evaluate patterns of variation in the diversity and composition of fish assemblages. Specifically, I explored spatial variation in fish assemblages as a function of rocky reef habitats (dominated by brown-macroalgae) and other sources of variation (abiotic and biotic factors) that potentially mediate the relationship between fishes and reef habitats. Analyses suggest that spatial variation in diversity (e.g., species and trophic) may be explained by spatial variation in depth, temperature, and composition of macroalgal habitats. At each location, only 2-3 families dominated the composition of fish assemblages, but species identities varied among locations. In a subsequent study, I assessed the fish-habitat associations from sites within the Juan Fernandez Islands, an isolated eastern Pacific Island that lack large brown macroalgae. I found that, despite the close proximity of these Islands to the South American continent, fish assemblages were mostly composed of endemic representatives from families that dominate the fish assemblages in New Zealand and Australia. Spatial variation in depth and temperature did not contribute to the observed variation in fish abundance. Instead, I found that benthic habitat-forming species (particularly foliose brown macroalgae) appeared to limit the abundance of some reef fishes. These results suggest that a mixture of large-scale (e.g., stochastic recruitment) and small-scale processes (i.e., relating to habitat heterogeneity) influence the diversity, composition and abundance of fish assemblages. Subsequently, I evaluated relationships between reef fishes and macroalgae composition across multiple sites, surveyed repeatedly over four seasons. I found that fishes were associated with different components of heterogeneity in macroalgal habitats, potentially indicating interspecific partitioning of resources that may arise from differential feeding habits and sizesusceptibility to predation. Seasonal variation in the fish-habitat associations was detected, and site differences in macroalgal composition explained significant variation in the local diversity of fishes. Using a series of small-scale lab and field-based manipulative experiments, I determined the demographic and behavioural responses of reefassociated fishes to heterogeneity in the composition of brown macroalgal habitats. I found that (i) different fish species distinguished between monospecific macroalgae stands (macroalgal identity affected the abundance of 7 of 15 reef fish species); (ii) there is within-species variation in the response of fishes to macroalgal composition (suggesting ontogenetic habitat shifts); and (iii) the abundance of 5 of 7 reef fish species, and the overall structure of the local fish assemblage, varied with the composition of mixed-species macroalgal stands. Lastly, I evaluated the potential for fishes to provision demographic feedbacks to macroalgae. Specifically, I conducted a mesocosm experiment to evaluate the effects of fishes on grazing amphipods, and therefore, the potential indirect-effects of fishes on large-brown macroalgae. I found that only one of the two fish species studied reduced grazer abundance. Although the second fish species did not consume grazing amphipods, its presence altered amphipod behaviour to significantly reduce grazing efficiency on the macroalgal-host. This study illustrates how density and trait-mediated indirect interactions can have similar effects on primary producers. Overall, my observational and experimental components of this thesis emphasize the influence of heterogeneity in macroalgal structures on the breadth of habitat use for reef fishes at multiple locations. I found strong behaviourally mediated linkages between the abundance of reef fishes and composition of macroalgal stand. I also provide some evidence that mutualistic relationships may exist between kelp and associated fishes.</p>

Fish habitat management implications of the summer habitat use by littoral fishes in a north temperate, mesotrophic lake

2003 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 286-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas C Pratt ◽  
Karen E Smokorowski
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Heterogeneity ◽  
Habitat Management ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Fish Habitat ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Productive Capacity ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Habitat Directive ◽  
Rocky Habitats

Compensation measures in response to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Policy for the Management of Fish Habitat includes provisions for habitat creation and enhancement. Thus, an assessment of nearshore habitat utilization patterns by fishes is needed to put DFO compensation measures in the context of the "no net loss of the productive capacity of fish habitat" directive. Measures of abundance, richness, and diversity of fishes were compared across nine habitat types in a lake using rapid visual underwater assessment. Multivariate analyses separated habitats into three groups and identified two distinct species assemblages. Most species were associated with macrophytes, but a few were primarily associated with rocky substrate. Shallow mud (open) habitats contained significantly fewer species and had lower mean scores and diversity than all other habitat types. Rocky habitats had lower mean scores and diversity than some vegetated habitat types containing similar fish assemblages. Surprisingly, within-site fish assemblage heterogeneity was similar to among-site heterogeneity, and among-habitat heterogeneity was lower than within-habitat heterogeneity, further supporting our inability to distinguish among vegetated habitat types. Our results suggest that habitat heterogeneity is critical in maintaining diverse communities and that compensation measures should account for differences in fish–habitat associations among varied habitats.

scholarly journals Effects of Macroalgal Habitats on the Community and Population Structure of Temperate Reef Fishes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Alejandro Perez Matus
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Fish Habitat ◽  
Reef Fishes ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Brown Macroalgae ◽  
Reef Fish Species

<p>Two families of brown macroalgae that occur in sympatry dominate temperate subtidal rocky coasts: the Laminareales, and the Fucales. Both of these families are habitat-forming species for a wide variety of invertebrates and fishes. Variation in the presence, density, and composition of brown macroalgae can have large influences on the evolution and ecology of associated organisms. Here, using a series of observational and experimental studies, I evaluated the effects of heterogeneity in the composition of brown macroalgal stands at the population and community levels for reef fishes. A central ecological challenge is the description of patterns that occur at local scales, and how these are manifested at larger ones. I conducted further sampling across a set of sites nested within locations over three regions, Juan Fernandez Islands (Chile), Northern New Zealand, and Tasmania (Australia), to evaluate patterns of variation in the diversity and composition of fish assemblages. Specifically, I explored spatial variation in fish assemblages as a function of rocky reef habitats (dominated by brown-macroalgae) and other sources of variation (abiotic and biotic factors) that potentially mediate the relationship between fishes and reef habitats. Analyses suggest that spatial variation in diversity (e.g., species and trophic) may be explained by spatial variation in depth, temperature, and composition of macroalgal habitats. At each location, only 2-3 families dominated the composition of fish assemblages, but species identities varied among locations. In a subsequent study, I assessed the fish-habitat associations from sites within the Juan Fernandez Islands, an isolated eastern Pacific Island that lack large brown macroalgae. I found that, despite the close proximity of these Islands to the South American continent, fish assemblages were mostly composed of endemic representatives from families that dominate the fish assemblages in New Zealand and Australia. Spatial variation in depth and temperature did not contribute to the observed variation in fish abundance. Instead, I found that benthic habitat-forming species (particularly foliose brown macroalgae) appeared to limit the abundance of some reef fishes. These results suggest that a mixture of large-scale (e.g., stochastic recruitment) and small-scale processes (i.e., relating to habitat heterogeneity) influence the diversity, composition and abundance of fish assemblages. Subsequently, I evaluated relationships between reef fishes and macroalgae composition across multiple sites, surveyed repeatedly over four seasons. I found that fishes were associated with different components of heterogeneity in macroalgal habitats, potentially indicating interspecific partitioning of resources that may arise from differential feeding habits and sizesusceptibility to predation. Seasonal variation in the fish-habitat associations was detected, and site differences in macroalgal composition explained significant variation in the local diversity of fishes. Using a series of small-scale lab and field-based manipulative experiments, I determined the demographic and behavioural responses of reefassociated fishes to heterogeneity in the composition of brown macroalgal habitats. I found that (i) different fish species distinguished between monospecific macroalgae stands (macroalgal identity affected the abundance of 7 of 15 reef fish species); (ii) there is within-species variation in the response of fishes to macroalgal composition (suggesting ontogenetic habitat shifts); and (iii) the abundance of 5 of 7 reef fish species, and the overall structure of the local fish assemblage, varied with the composition of mixed-species macroalgal stands. Lastly, I evaluated the potential for fishes to provision demographic feedbacks to macroalgae. Specifically, I conducted a mesocosm experiment to evaluate the effects of fishes on grazing amphipods, and therefore, the potential indirect-effects of fishes on large-brown macroalgae. I found that only one of the two fish species studied reduced grazer abundance. Although the second fish species did not consume grazing amphipods, its presence altered amphipod behaviour to significantly reduce grazing efficiency on the macroalgal-host. This study illustrates how density and trait-mediated indirect interactions can have similar effects on primary producers. Overall, my observational and experimental components of this thesis emphasize the influence of heterogeneity in macroalgal structures on the breadth of habitat use for reef fishes at multiple locations. I found strong behaviourally mediated linkages between the abundance of reef fishes and composition of macroalgal stand. I also provide some evidence that mutualistic relationships may exist between kelp and associated fishes.</p>

scholarly journals Effects of alternate reef states on coral reef fish habitat associations

2011 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 421-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Lecchini ◽  
Laure Carassou ◽  
Bruno Frédérich ◽  
Yohei Nakamura ◽  
Suzanne C. Mills ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Reef Fish ◽  
Fish Habitat ◽  
Habitat Associations
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document