Threats to at-risk salmonids of the Canadian Rocky Mountain region

Trout and charr, members of the salmonid family, have high conservation value but are also susceptible to anthropogenic threats in part due to the specificity of their habitat requirements. Understanding historical and future threats facing these species is necessary to promote their recovery. Of freshwater trout and charr in the Canadian Rocky Mountain region, westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi), bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus; a charr species) and Athabasca rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are of conservation concern. And indeed, range contractions and declining populations are evident throughout much of their ranges. Range contraction was most evident in the southern Alberta designatable unit (DU) of westslope cutthroat trout. Diminished populations were also evident in the downstream watersheds of the Alberta bull trout range, and throughout the Athabasca rainbow trout range. We assessed historical and future threats to evaluate the relative importance of individual threats to each DU and compare their impact among species. Individual threats fall into the broad categories of angling, non-native species and genes, habitat loss and alteration, and climate change. Severity of each threat varies by DU and reflects the interaction between species’ biology and the location of the DU. Severity of threats facing each DU has changed over time, reflecting extirpation of native populations, changes in management and industry best practices, expansion of non-native species and progressing climate change. The overall threat impact for each DU indicates a high probability of substantial and continuing declines and calls for immediate action.     

A test for interaction between brown trout (Salmo trutta) and inanga (Galaxias maculatus) in an artificial stream

Abstract –  The interaction between brown trout ( Salmo trutta ; fork length (FL) range 255–390 mm) and inanga ( Galaxias maculatus ; FL range 55–115 mm) was tested during summer through autumn in an artificial stream consisting of a single run-riffle-pool sequence with a natural food supply. Each experimental trial lasted for 15 days, and consisted of two brown trout and 50 inanga collected fresh from a nearby stream, with each species given prior residence in four replicate tests, totalling eight trials in all. In addition, two control trials (each 10 days), with 50 inanga in each, were run. Brown trout almost exclusively occupied the pool, whereas inanga occupied all habitat types, although in different proportions, when tested with and without brown trout. The proportion of inanga in the pool was appreciably lower in the experimental trials with brown trout than in the control trials with no brown trout; prior residence had no significant effect on inanga habitat use. Mortality of inanga attributable to predation by brown trout ranged from 0 to 40% with a mean of 14.5 ± 4.7%. The results suggest that habitat use and survival of inanga populations in small streams can be adversely affected by brown trout.     

多尺度DEM提取河流比降的对比分析

研究旨在用DEM计算河流比降,分析DEM分辨率与阈值对比降的影响,并提取最佳分辨率与最佳阈值。以延河流域的ASTER GDEM和SRTM3 DEM为原始数据源,利用Arc GIS分别提取60、150、200、300 m分辨率下延河流域的主河道,并据此计算流域平均比降。结果表明:延河的平均比降为3.39‰;DEM分辨率与汇流阈值对比降影响较大,当DEM分辨率小于150 m时,比降随阈值增大而减少;DEM分辨率大于150 m,比降逐步增大。延河流域河流比降分析的DEM分辨率不宜超过150 m,其中DEM分辨率为90 m时,计算的比降结果较为符合延河流域实际情况;DEM分辨率为30、60、90、150、200、300 m时,计算比降的最佳阈值分别为65000、60000、30000、70000、40000、20000;利用85%的主河道折线段信息,进行比降计算,其结果接近真实值。研究实现了基于DEM的河流比降计算,有助于DEM在水文学等流域的应用。     

Extensive dispersal of Roanoke logperch (Percina rex) inferred from genetic marker data

The dispersal ecology of most stream fishes is poorly characterised, complicating conservation efforts for these species. We used microsatellite DNA marker data to characterise dispersal patterns and effective population size (N_e) for a population of Roanoke logperch Percina rex, an endangered darter (Percidae). Juveniles and candidate parents were sampled for 2 years at sites throughout the Roanoke River watershed. Dispersal was inferred via genetic assignment tests (ATs), pedigree reconstruction (PR) and estimation of lifetime dispersal distance under a genetic isolation‐by‐distance model. Estimates of N_e varied from 105 to 1218 individuals, depending on the estimation method. Based on PR, polygamy was frequent in parents of both sexes, with individuals spawning with an average of 2.4 mates. The sample contained 61 half‐sibling pairs, but only one parent–offspring pair and no full‐sib pairs, which limited our ability to discriminate natal dispersal of juveniles from breeding dispersal of their parents between spawning events. Nonetheless, all methods indicated extensive dispersal. The AT indicated unrestricted dispersal among sites ≤15 km apart, while siblings inferred by the PR were captured an average of 14 km and up to 55 km apart. Model‐based estimates of median lifetime dispersal distance (6–24 km, depending on assumptions) bracketed AT and PR estimates, indicating that widely dispersed individuals do, on average, contribute to gene flow. Extensive dispersal of P. rex suggests that darters and other small benthic stream fishes may be unexpectedly mobile. Monitoring and management activities for such populations should encompass entire watersheds to fully capture population dynamics.     

基于可信多数投票的快速概念漂移检测

数据流因具有数据持续到达，概念漂移产生时刻无法预测、概念的数量不确定等特征，使得滑动窗口的大小很难事先确定，滑动窗口包含概念的数量对概念漂移检测存在影响.本文提出了基于可信多数投票的快速概念漂移检测算法（CMV_SEA），该算法使用SEA算法中的基分类器淘汰方法，使用可信多数投票实现滑动窗口中基分类器的集成.仿真实验表明：相比于SEA算法，CMV_SEA算法提高了泛化能力；能在新概念产生的第一时间内检测到概念漂移；对概念漂移的检测能力和新概念的学习能力不受滑动窗口大小的影响.     

The potential of flat-bed passive integrated transponder antennae for studying habitat use by stream fishes

Abstract – Describing habitat use by stream fishes is important from both basic ecological and fisheries management points of view. The most widely used methods of measuring habitat use vary in degree of effort required, level of intrusiveness and in the level of spatial and temporal resolution. In this paper, we describe a remote monitoring technique that can provide detailed and continuous data on habitat use of individual fish in the field. The technique is based on the passive integrated transponder (PIT) system, in which a newly developed flat-bed antenna is placed on the stream bottom and simply requires a PIT-tagged fish to swim over it. We present data obtained from work using this new technology on brown trout ( Salmo trutta ) in stream enclosures, in which we describe habitat use and temporal patterns of movement by individuals and relate such data to growth rate and sex of the individual fish as well as to pool depth and time of day. In addition, we describe the range of applications of the flat-bed PIT-antenna as well as the advantages and disadvantages of using the system. ^NOTE     

Movements by wild brown trout in a boreal river: response to habitat and flow contrasts

Abstract  Radio transmitters were implanted in wild brown trout, Salmo trutta L., in the River Måna at low summer water flows ( n  = 18), higher flow in summer ( n  =   20), and variable, peaking flows in autumn ( n  =   20), and tracked two to four times day and night for 4–5 weeks. Individuals were caught and released in a 4-km uniformly channelised section, and in a 4-km natural diverse river section. Substantial individual variation in home range and total movement (924–85 818 m² and 295–7014 m) suggested flexibility to adapt to local environmental conditions. Fish were stationary most of the time (median movement 0 m), but some individuals undertook few and apparently sporadic longer movements, sometimes involving shifts in home range. No consistent diurnal pattern in movements was found. Trout in the uniform habitat section appeared to have larger home ranges and moved more than trout in the natural section. Differences were, however, not statistically significant in most comparisons, due to large individual variation. Similarly, larger home ranges and movements between trials related to higher flow were found, but differences were generally not significant. No consistent effects of sudden, extreme peaking flows on area use or movements by the brown trout were observed.     

近43年黄河上游来水来沙变化特点

选取黄河头道拐站实测水沙序列(1960-2002年)资料,对水沙序列进行了多时间尺度和趋势识别的小波分析。结果表明:①黄河上游来水来沙量汛期所占比例减少,而非汛期所占比例增加;在年际变化上,水沙量逐年减少;同时,水沙相关关系具有一定的变化;②黄河上游水沙序列具有相同的多时间尺度(准周期)变化,但同一尺度下,水沙所处的丰枯变化并不一致;③年水沙序列趋势变化基本一致,20世纪80年代以来,两者存在明显减少趋势;但在非汛期,两者的趋势变化有较大区别。     

Bracken effects on inorganic nitrogen leaching from an upland podzol

Leaching of inorganic N species to stream waters from upland areas of the UK is increasing, reflecting the increases in atmospheric deposition of nitrogen species due to increased levels of vehicular emissions. Bracken cover in UK uplands is also increasing overall ( Taylor, 1986 ), and the architectural nature of bracken has been shown to both increase deposition of atmospheric constituents to soils and change their chemical and physical nature. We have tested the nutrient status of upland podzols from the Lake District, Cumbria, UK, from under both moorland grass and bracken. The results show reduced levels of base cations and nitrate throughout the profile and decreases in the organic matter content of surface horizons as a consequence of bracken encroachment. We also report increased ammonium concentrations in lower soil horizons under bracken, possibly leading to increased leaching to stream waters. These results suggest either increased leaching of soil nutrients due to bracken encroachment or increased storage of nutrients within the bracken rhizome system. Results also suggest changes in either microbial activity or the microbial community of podzols, possibly due to the allelopathic nature of bracken. This may have caused changes in the soil nutrient dynamics, possibly accounting for some of the changes seen. We hypothesize that increased bracken cover within the British uplands has the potential to increase leaching of inorganic nitrogen to upland streams.     

湘西北山区“长防林”生态效益研究初报

湘西北山区长江防护林生态效益监测站，分别就“长防林”对小流域小气候、坡面产流量、产沙量、输沙率、林地最大涵水能力及保土效果进行了定位观测，资料分析表明，长防林生态效益十分显著。