Timing of brown trout spawning in Alpine rivers with special consideration of egg burial depth

Timing of spawning, habitat use and egg burial depths of brown trout were studied in seven Swiss (alpine and prealpine) rivers, which differed in size, altitude and flow regime. In general, we observed brown trout spawning activity between the end of October and the beginning of January. The spawning duration differed significantly, however, between rivers, ranging from 28 to 72 days. Analysis of environmental parameters for their influence on spawning activity revealed mean water temperature and altitude as the most explanatory variables. Detailed investigation of redd characteristics based on water velocity, water depth and substrate size clearly showed differences between positions on the redd. Brown trout in Alpine rivers preferred to use velocities of 30–40 cm·s^?1, water depths of 10–20 cm and substrates of 16–32 mm for spawning. It has to be noted, however, that recorded values cover almost the whole range of data on spawning habitats that has been reported in literature so far. A special focus of this study was on egg burial depths, which were surprisingly not found to differ significantly between the rivers despite their different flow regimes. Recorded egg burial depths were, however, found to be distinctly lower (mean burial depth: 3.8 cm) than reported by almost any study so far. We see this observation of low burial depths in Alpine rivers as useful in the context of scouring effects, especially when evaluating the influence of scouring on fish populations.     

Seasonal movement patterns of Credit River brown trout (Salmo trutta)

Zimmer M, Schreer JF, Power M. Seasonal movement patterns of Credit River brown trout (Salmo trutta).
Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 290–299. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – Movement habits in riverine populations of brown trout vary among watersheds. Thus it is important to identify factors influencing differences in individual behaviour so as to improve the information resource base available for the design of river‐specific management strategies. Such information is particularly needed in the rapidly urbanising watersheds of eastern North America where relatively little is known about anthropogenic influences on brown trout populations. In this study, we examined the influence of water temperature on brown trout behaviour in the Credit River in south‐central Ontario, Canada with respect to seasonal movement patterns. Observed patterns of movement were also correlated with variations in river discharge and habitat quality. Forty‐three radio‐tagged, adult brown trout were tracked in a confined 39.8 km portion of the Credit River from 15 May 2002 to 28 July 2003. Fish were captured in three sections of the river that differed in distance downstream and habitat quality. Fish size had little impact on movement patterns. However, there was considerable variation in seasonal movement with upstream movements to summer positions, maintenance of summer positions, downstream and often extensive movements in fall. Also observed was maintenance of winter positions and repeated upstream movements in late spring‐early summer to previously used summer positions. The elaborate movement behaviour in the Credit River population was attributed to seasonal changes in thermal habitat quality. Fish tagged in less suitable thermal habitats moved significantly more than fish from more suitable thermal habitats.     

A review of ecological models for brown trout: towards a new demogenetic model

Abstract – Ecological models for stream fish range in scale from individual fish to entire populations. They have been used to assess habitat quality and to predict the demographic and genetic responses to management or disturbance. In this paper, we conduct the first comprehensive review and synthesis of the vast body of modelling literature on the brown trout, Salmo trutta L., with the aim of developing the framework for a demogenetic model, i.e., a model integrating both population dynamics and genetics. We use a bibliometric literature review to identify two main categories of models: population ecology (including population dynamics and population genetics) and population distribution (including habitat–hydraulic and spatial distribution). We assess how these models have previously been applied to stream fish, particularly brown trout, and how recent models have begun to integrate them to address two key management and conservation questions: (i) How can we predict fish population responses to management intervention? and (ii) How is the genetic structure of fish populations influenced by landscape characteristics? Because salmonid populations tend to show watershed scale variation in both demographic and genetic traits, we propose that models combining demographic, genetic and spatial data are promising tools for improving their management and conservation. We conclude with a framework for an individual‐based, spatially explicit demogenetic model that we will apply to stream‐dwelling brown trout populations in the near future.     

A large‐scale approach can help detect general processes driving the dynamics of brown trout populations in extensive areas

Abstract – Most studies on the population dynamics of stream‐living salmonids have been conducted at the scale of a reach, a stream or a river basin. This can lead to overestimating the importance of local factors acting on a reduced scale compared to the more general factors that drive the dynamics of several populations. Two models were built on the basis of a data set from 60 sampling stations representing separated populations inhabiting a large heterogeneous area encompassing 18 years of quantifications. Our analyses showed the following: (i) Population growth rate (pgr) of a set of independent brown trout populations can be described by means of a single model; (ii) the youngest and the oldest year classes of these populations seem to be limited by the same constraints; (iii) there is a climatic control of the recruitment because of spring weather conditions, but also the abundance of oldest age class may be controlled by the climate, (iv) there is a nonlinear positive effect of winter North Atlantic Oscillation on pgr; (v) there is a 3‐year lagged positive feedback tracing the upward trend of a stock‐recruitment curve, and 1‐year lagged negative feedback showing the downward trend of the curve; (vi) a strong cohort has a positive effect on the whole population that can be detected throughout the time. Our fitted models allowed to predict the mean population densities at a regional scale with <10% error and shed light onto the main factors and associated ecological processes that control these large‐scale dynamics.     

Comparison of population dynamics of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) in a small tributary of the River Scorff (Brittany, France)

The population dynamics of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) and brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) were compared in a small tributary of the River Scorff (Brittany, France) from spawning time to the beginning of the third growing season. The spawning and fry emergence of the two species took place at approximately the same time. In the first autumn, the densityof 0+ juveniles and settling rate from the egg stage were much higher in trout than in salmon. The emigration rate from 0+ population was much higher in trout than in salmon. The size of resident and migrating fish was always smaller in salmon than in trout, whatever the age. The low level of salmon production in the brook, compared with trout, was the result of low survival from egg to 0+ stage in autumn, combined with the small proportion of juveniles migrating after the first growing season. This was not compensated by a high number of migrants the next year. The role of physical habitat, inter-and intraspecific competition, predation and migration dependence on size and early sexual maturity is discussed. Indications are that small tributaries of the type studied are of great value for recruitment in trout but not very productive for juvenile salmon.     

Response of resident brown trout, Salmo trutta L., and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), to the stocking of hatchery-reared brown trout

Two strains of hatchery-reared adult brown trout, Salmo trutta L., [208–334 mm total length (TL); n =  591] were individually marked and released into a limestone stream. The estimated survival after one month (86%; n =  508) was comparable to that for resident brown trout and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), (89%; n =  771), but declined to 14% ( n =  83) after 8 months compared with 52% ( n =  451) for resident trout. The movement of resident trout out of stocked stretches was higher (14%) than from control sites (5%), but the population size in both individual sites and the overall study area were unaffected. The growth of resident brown trout was unaffected by stocking, but rainbow trout showed lower growth rates in stocked versus unstocked stretches both one and 8 months after stocking ( P <  0.002).     

Restoration of dead wood in Basque stream channels: effects on brown trout population

Abstract – Streams in the Aiako Harria Natural Park (Basque Country, Spain) have excellent water quality, but are physically impoverished after centuries of snagging. In an attempt to restore channel complexity and ecosystem functioning, especially in‐channel retention of sediments and organic matter, large woody debris (LWD) was introduced into four mountain streams (channel width 3–13 m) following a before/after, control/impact (BACI) design. Logs were introduced by means of hand‐held machinery and located uncabled, mimicking the natural amount and disposition of LWD in streams. Floods disrupted most of the structures at the large stream, but caused little damage to those in the small ones. Only minnow and brown trout inhabit in the area. Before wood addition, trout densities were fairly high in the small streams, low in the large one, where recruitment seemed very poor. In the small tributaries, trout populations showed a strong imbalance towards young fish, adults being only found in the spawning season. Wood addition produced some interesting trends in trout, although statistical significance was low as a result of large environmental variability. Fish densities showed small changes, but biomass increased, especially in the spawning season. Also, there was a trend towards more aged 2⁺ or larger, thus suggesting wood addition improved adult habitat. Although restoring LWD is extremely unusual in Spain, the changes in physical habitat and the trends in fish populations detected in the present project suggest it is worth making more experiments, at least in safe settings where there is no risk of flooding or damaging properties.     

Pre-stocking acclimatisation of brown trout Salmo trutta: effects on growth and capture in a fast-flowing river

Abstract  A field experiment was carried out over two consecutive years in a fast-flowing river to evaluate the effects of a 5-day acclimation period on the subsequent growth and capture of stocked juvenile brown trout, Salmo trutta L. Post-stocking growth of both acclimated and non-acclimated fish remained very poor for at least 44 to 50 days. After this slow start, all fish grew significantly but acclimated trout performed 40.1% better than non-acclimated individuals. However, the better growth did not lead to higher capture rates. Capture success post-stocking was low, regardless of acclimation. Flooding, combined with low fitness of the stocked fish in the first weeks was considered the main reason for the unsatisfactory stocking success. It was concluded that in-stream acclimation aids rapid adaptation of stocked trout and thus imparts some growth advantages, although this does not necessarily result in higher yields.     

Competitive exclusion of brown trout Salmo trutta L., by rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, in lake tributaries, New Zealand

Spawning runs of brown trout Salmo trutta L., and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, were compared in three tributaries of two lakes for timing, numbers and redd characteristics. Redd characteristics for the two species in four other streams were examined. No significant differences in redd characteristics between the two species were observed, but in all lake tributaries the possibilities of superimposition of spring spawning rainbow trout on redds of brown trout were examined. A common feature was the high ratio of numbers of spawners to the area of preferred spawning gravel, and it was concluded that in the lake tributaries, superimposition resulted in increased mortality of brown trout eggs, and in one case elimination of the brown trout population. Management possibilities for control of the species proportions in comparable situations are discussed.     

Effect of sudden increase in discharge in a large river on newly emerged Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) fry

Abstract– Downstrcam displacement of salmonid fry due to flow increase, from 12–15 m³/_s to >100 m³_s, was documented in the river Suldalslåen, Western Norway. In May only fry of brown trout ( Sulmo trutta ) occurred in the drift, while from the beginning of June only newly emerged Atlantic salmon ( Sulmo sular ) were found. The maximum number of Atlantic salmon fry drifting during a single day was estimated to be 17 000 individual. Their density in the drift was higher during the night than during the day, and their appearance in the drift coincided with the predicted period of emergence. Total brown trout numbers in the drift were estimated to vary between 4000 and 16 000 per day. Fry displaced downstream from the lowermost part of the river were lost from the population. The total losses were estimated to be between 75 000 and 100 000 Atlantic salmon fry which represents between 5.6 and 11.1%) of juvenile mortality during the first year of life.     

Genetic persistence of an initially introduced brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) population despite restocking of foreign conspecifics

The persistence of the initial genetic structure despite later stocking with foreign conspecifics is influenced by several factors, leading to different levels of introgression. Stream spawning has been assumed to be the prevailing recruitment strategy of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.). However, in lakes with limited stream spawning habitat, but still with high natural recruitment, lake spawning has been proposed. Using fourteen microsatellites, we assessed the genetic structure in a small allopatric brown trout population in the Lake Skavatn, located on the Hardangervidda mountain plateau, Norway. A total of 265 brown trout were obtained from the lake itself, the outlet stream, two tributaries, a littoral sample from a presumed lake spawning site, a suggested stocking source, and a lake sample from 1967, representing the initial lake population. The six Skavatn samples were best represented by three genetic components, showing a shift from the initial population, but with no genetic signal from the suggested stocking source. The littoral sample had the largest similarity to the initial lake population, possibly indicating the importance of lake spawning in a system where streams offer unpredictable spawning and rearing conditions. Due to large annual variations in recruitment contributions from the different spawning and rearing locations, the genetic structure of the lake population probably vary over time.     

Regular, cyclic oscillations in cohort strength in an allopatric population of brown trout. Salmo trutta L.

Abstract– Dominant year-classes of brown trout occurred at regular time-intervals in the alpine Lake Skavatn, Norway. In samples obtained by beach scining, electrofishing and gill-netting during 1989–1992, yearclasses 1979, 1982, 1985, 1988 and 1991 were much more abundant than their neighbouring year-classes. Correspondingly, in a sample of gillnetted fish from 1979, the year-classes 1973 and 1976 were dominant. Spawning areas in the outlet are virtually absent, and lotic rearing areas for juveniles very restricted. Young-of-the-year immigrated to the lake during the autumn, and juveniles inhabited the restricted littoral cobble areas until they reached a length of about 10–12 cm and an age of 3+. Competitive exclusion by dominant year-classes may cause the regular, cyclic oscillations in cohort strength. An abundant year-class of juveniles occupying the restricted suitable lacustrine rearing areas may exclude younger fish by inter-cohort interference. The smaller fish are forced to unsheltered marginal rearing areas where they presumably suffer increased mortality. A new strong year-class can arise every 3 years when the dominant fish leave the rearing areas.     

Population size in stream-living juveniles of lake-migratory brown trout Salmo trutta L.: the importance of stream discharge and temperature

Abstract –  Based on the analysis of 17 successive year-classes, this investigation attempted to identify the factors determining year-to-year variation in population size of the stream-living juveniles of Lake Hald-dwelling brown trout Salmo trutta L. Population size appeared to be influenced chiefly by annual recruitment that in turn, was determined by stream discharge and temperature. These patterns matched those previously highlighted for a resident population located >2500 km apart and emphasised the importance of environmental (climatic) variability as a major regulating agent of population size in stream brown trout. However, distinctly shaped recruitment–discharge relationships between the two populations suggested different mechanisms in response to environmental variability and thus to persist in time.     

Morphological variability of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and brown trout Salmo trutta in different river environments

Abstract – The morphologies of sympatric juvenile Atlantic salmon Salmo salar parr and brown trout Salmo trutta parr were compared between Irish rivers with contrasting hydraulic environments – a high‐gradient and a low‐gradient tributary from the River Barrow catchment, south‐east Ireland and a high‐gradient river from the Burrishoole catchment, west of Ireland. The two catchments differ markedly in mean annual precipitation (849.0 mm year^?1 and 1370.3 mm year^?1 for the Barrow and Burrishoole catchments, respectively). Parr of both species demonstrated morphological variation between and within catchments. Changes in metrics such as pectoral fin length, body depth and body length between and within catchments suggest that hydraulic forces were a major determinant of morphological variation. Both species from the Burrishoole catchment had relatively larger pectoral fins, longer heads, larger eyes and shallower bodies than conspecifics from the Barrow catchment. In rivers subject to frequent rainfall‐driven high discharges, such as those in the Burrishoole catchment, a more fusiform body and head shape coupled with larger pectoral fins may reduce the energetic cost of maintaining position in the water column, as well as increase stability and manoeuvrability. The larger eyes in both parr species in the Burrishoole catchment could further be a response to the lower visibility of the more turbid and peat‐stained waters or to the reduced prey availability. The results of this study demonstrate that local adaptation to flow conditions can yield morphologically distinct populations and that multiple species can exhibit parallel phenotypic responses to changing environmental conditions.     

Severity of summer drought as predictor for smolt recruitment in migratory brown trout (Salmo trutta)

The recruitment of anadromous brown trout smolt from a small Baltic stream, frequently exposed to summer drought, was quantified for 9 years, and the effect from drought on smolt number and age composition analysed. Drought was quantified by, (a) a newly developed index quantifying the severity of summer drought (Drought Severity Index—DSI—based on amount of precipitation, monthly mean temperature and number of hours with sun), and (b) the amount of precipitation. Both DSI and precipitation were measured 1 or 2 years prior to emigration. We found highly significant (negative) relations between DSI (1 year before emigration) and both the total number of smolt, and the number of age 1 smolt. In addition, precipitation was (positively) related to total number of smolt, but DSI proved to be a stronger predictor compared to precipitation. In addition to drought, our results support a negative influence from older parr on the survival of age 0 trout. Our results indicate that recruitment of brown trout smolt from streams, regularly affected by summer drought, may be predicted approx. 6 months before the actual emigration the following spring. This offers an opportunity for managers to adapt protective measures in accordance with local and temporal changes in recruitment.     

Rehabilitation of brown trout, Salmo trutta, habitat damaged by riparian grazing in an English chalkstream

Abstract  Rehabilitation trials involving riparian fencing and limited pool excavation were conducted on the River Piddle and Devil's Brook, Dorset, England, which had been degraded by intensive riparian grazing. In one trial, based on two short (94 and 99 m) treated sections and two control sections, brown trout, Salmo trutta L., numbers were monitored from 1994 (pre-treatment) to 2000. In a second trial from 1996 (pre-treatment) until 2000, trout numbers were monitored in 900 m and 1400 m treated sections. After rehabilitation, juvenile trout numbers increased in the two short sections (Trial 1) but fell in one of the long sections. Adult numbers also increased markedly in the two short-treated sections relative to the controls and they increased markedly in one of the long sections despite a reduction in juveniles. Marking of trout in the short sections showed that they selected the rehabilitated habitat in preference to the control habitat and that immigration was the main source of adult trout, as it must also have been in the 1400 m section. While the results indicate that improvements can be made to adult trout habitat, more research is required on the impact on juvenile production before the impact of such work on the true population can be established.     

Stocking impact,population structure and conservation of wild brown trout populations in inner Galicia (NW Spain), an unstable hydrologic region

1. Brown trout (Salmo trutta) is an important conservation resource in the Iberian Peninsula. The Atlantic is considered the most hydrologically stable region for the species, although inner Galicia (NW Spain) shows Mediterranean (unstable) climatic conditions. The Galician region, threatened by past releases of brown trout individuals from central European origin, harbours two native lineages, one of them endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. These populations are thus highly valuable for conservation, as well as being important for recreational fisheries. 2. In total, 546 individuals from 16 sampling sites (15 natural locations from inner Galicia and one from a central European hatchery stock) were genotyped for 11 nuclear markers (10 microsatellite loci and the LDH‐C* locus) to analyse genetic variability, population structure and introgression impact from stocking in order to assess the conservation status of brown trout in the region. Moreover, correlation among hatchery introgression and environmental variables relevant for species population dynamics was also investigated. 3. Genetic variability was within the range of Iberian brown trout (He = 0.500–0.600). Stocking impact was higher than previously reported values for the Atlantic region and was related to environmental instability. Highly significant native population differentiation was observed in the whole region (F_ST = 0.283), at least four main genetic groups being detected across the geographic distribution studied. 4. Conservation strategies at local level (including the creation of genetic refuges and temporal monitoring of genetic composition) are suggested to agencies and administrations for the sustainable management of brown trout.     

Homing experiments with parr, smolt and residents of anadromous Arctic char Salvelinus alpinus and brown trout Salmo trutta: transplantation between neighbouring river systems

Abstract –  Olfaction is decisive for the homeward migration of anadromous salmonids. Two different olfactory hypotheses for explaining how this mechanism works have been proposed (the imprinting and the pheromone hypothesis), and they differ with regard to the origin of the odours that define home. The pheromone hypothesis assumes that fish respond to strain-specific pheromones and that no imprinting is necessary. The imprinting hypothesis assumes that juvenile fish become imprinted to odours of abiotic or biotic origin in natural rivers; the imprinting may be a single event or may occur sequentially during downstream migration as smolts. The two hypotheses were challenged by reciprocal transplantation of parr, residents and smolt of Arctic char ( Salvelinus alpinus ) and brown trout ( Salmo trutta ) between the Salangen and the Løksebotten rivers. Both rivers empty into the Salangen Fjord, Norway, about 10 km apart. Salangen Arctic char released in the Løksebotten River, and Løksebotten brown trout released in the Salangen River (parr, resident and smolt) initiated spontaneous homeward migration without preceding contact with home stream water. This indicates that site imprinting (single or sequential) could not have been involved. In the sea, the released fish apparently integrated into the migratory system of relatives from their river of origin. Recapture rates did not differ for fish allowed to receive single or sequential imprinting.     

Creation of artificial upwelling areas for brown trout, Salmo trutta, spawning in still water bodies

Abstract  Brown trout, Salmo trutta L., spawning sites were constructed by creating areas of artificial upwelling water, 252 ± 37 mL m⁻² min⁻¹ (95% CL), through appropriately sized spawning gravel substrate in 3 m² vessels buried in the bottom of a 150-m² pond. Natural spawning occurred in the vessels during autumn 2001–2004, with hatching and alevin swim up the following spring. In areas of upwelling, egg survival was 85–95%, while no live eggs were observed in areas without upwelling. In areas with upwelling, the maximum density of live eggs at the eyed stage was 570–1510 eggs m⁻². In spring 2004 and 2005, the density of alevins was estimated at 322 (±187) m⁻² and 567 (±217) m⁻², respectively, in areas with upwelling water, compared with 35.2 ± 25.4 m⁻² in areas without upwelling water in 2004.     

Effects of stocking of piscivorous brown trout, Salmo trutta L., on stunted Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.)

To study the effects on a stunted freshwater population of Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), two groups of large (26–45 cm) individually tagged brown trout, Salmo trutta L., were released and recaptured with gillnets after 1, 7, 11 and 63 weeks. One group of trout was trained on a fish diet before release, and the other, reared on commercial dry pellets, served as a control. Specific growth rates in both groups were negative 1 week after release and approached zero after 63 weeks. Condition factor and internal fat content decreased during the experiment. Although only 11% of the trout stomachs examined contained fish prey, charr represented 79% of the total stomach weight content. Gillnet samples of charr before and 63 weeks after the release of trout indicated a decreasing population size of charr. Individual growth and mean length of charr increased after release of trout, especially for charr at age 4 years. After the release of trout, 35% of the charr were longer than 20 cm as compared with 6% before the release.