Turbidity‐induced changes in emergent effects of multiple predators with different foraging strategies

Abstract – In natural systems, prey frequently interact with multiple predators and the outcome often cannot be predicted by summing the effects of individual predator species. Multiple predator interactions can create emergent effects for prey, but how those change across environmental gradients is poorly understood. Turbidity is an environmental factor in aquatic systems that may influence multiple predator effects on prey. Interactions between a cruising predator (largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides) and an ambush predator (muskellunge Esox masquinongy) and their combination foraging on a shared prey (bluegill Lepomis macrochirus) were examined across a turbidity gradient. Turbidity modified multiple predator effects on prey. In clear water, combined predators consumed in total more prey than expected from individual predator treatments, suggesting risk enhancement for prey. In moderately turbid water, the predators consumed fewer prey together than expected, suggesting a risk reduction for prey. At high turbidity, there were no apparent emergent effects; however, the cruising predator consumed more prey than the ambush predator, suggesting an advantage for this predator. Understanding multiple predator traits across a gradient of turbidity increases our understanding of how complex natural systems function.     

Factors influencing the abundance of three common nearshore fishes in south‐west Lake Michigan

Variation in the distribution and abundance of nearshore fishes is critical to understand food web processes and fishery management issues in Lake Michigan. This study characterised patterns in abundance of three common nearshore species, yellow perch Perca flavescens (Mitchell), round goby Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas) and alewife Alosa pseudoharengus (Wilson), in relation to spatio‐temporal, abiotic and biotic factors using gillnet sampling conducted across 5 years at multiple locations representing different substrates. Significant variations were observed in alewife and round goby catches between locations. A negative relationship between round goby and age‐0 yellow perch catch was observed, indicating potential competition between the two species. This study demonstrates that variability in nearshore fish communities can be driven by factors including substrate and interspecific interactions. Given the prominent role these species play in Lake Michigan's food web and thus their importance to fishery production, a thorough understanding of these factors is warranted.     

Effects of Dietary Protein Concentration on Growth, Survival, and Body Composition of Muskellunge Esox musquinongy and Tiger Muskellunge Esox masquinongy × E. luscius Fingerlings

Growth rate, survival and body composition of muskellunge Esox musquinongy (initial mean total length = 125 mm) and tiger muskellunge E. masquinongy × E. lucius (initial mean total length = 115 mm) fed semi-purified diets differing in protein level from 31 to 40% and 34 to 45%, respectively, were evaluated in 8-wk trials. The minimum protein level that yielded satisfactory growth rates for muskellunge was 37%, whereas tiger muskellunge growth rates were highest for fish fed a 45% protein diet. Growth differences were caused by changes in protein quantity, not quality, as amino acid ratios were similar for test diets and showed no imbalances among diets. Condition factors for both fishes increased with dietary protein. Survival of muskellunge (73%) and tiger muskellunge (97%) was not pffected by diet type. Body protein increased and fat content decreased in both fishes when fed higher dietary protein. Results suggest that both fishes respond similarly to dietary changes, but that substantial differences exist in protein requirements.     

Radon—Ein neuer analytischer Ansatz zur “In-situ-Bestimmung” der Gasleitf?higkeit von B?den

Vorliegende Arbeit beschreibt ein neuartiges Verfahren zur “In-situ-Bestimmung” der Gasleitf?higkeit von B?den. Es bedient sich des natürlich vorkommenden, radioaktiven Edelgases Radon. Hierbei wird in einer Me?kammer, die auf dem Boden aufsitzt, die H?he der Radonexhalation registriert. Sie ist u. a. direkt von der Gasleitf?higkeit des Bodens abh?ngig. Da das Verfahren zerst?rungsfrei arbeitet. er?ffnen sich eine Vielzahl von Applikationsm?glichkeiten, wie z. B. Beobachtungen befahrungsbedingter Strukturver?nderungen w?hrend und nach Holzerntema?nahmen sowie Untersuchungen zur Regeneration strukturell ver?nderter B?den. Dies kann beliebig oft und zu beliebigen Zeitpunkten am identischen Bodenausschnitt geschehen. The paper describes a new analytical tool for the “in situ” measurement of the gas permeability of soils. It uses on the exhalation of the redioactive rare gas radon. A chamber covering a certain surface area on the ground registers the amount of radon exhald. One of the factors, which directly controls the exhalation rate is the gas permeability. As this is a non-destructive method several possibilities for applications arise, as for example observation and analysis of changes in soil structure during and after regular timber harvesting, i.e. such caused by forest machines, as well as investigations about the regeneration of damaged sites. These investigations can be repeated as often as desired, at any time and, moreover, on the identical spot.     

Fishing efficiency of competitive largemouth bass tournament anglers has increased since early 21st century

Tournament fishing has risen in popularity over the last half a century. As such, social and financial incentives combined with technological advancements are expected to drive changes in angler's capacity to exploit tournament‐eligible fish stocks, as has been observed in commercial fisheries. The aim of this study was to quantify temporal trends in angler efficiency and their ability to exploit a given fish stock relative to effort in largemouth bass fishing tournaments. A collective analysis across seven Illinois reservoirs comparing change through time in angler catch rates and relative population abundances indicated that angler efficiency has generally improved through time. For the decade from 2005 to 2015, a greater than threefold increase in the efficiency of anglers to exploit a static population of largemouth bass was estimated. Anglers have become more efficient at exploiting populations, which is likely to influence management decisions in the future, particularly in harvest‐orientated fisheries and those reliant upon fishery‐dependent surveys.     

Demographics,societal aging,and meat consumption in China

Drawn on the data col ected by surveying 1 340 urban households from six cities in China, this paper estimates the impacts of demographic structure and population aging on household meat consumption, b...