Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) Population Dynamics and Mottled Sculpin (Cottus bairdi) Occurrence in Relation to Acidic Episodes in Streams

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1994

Department

Biological Sciences

Abstract

We monitored water chemistry and populations of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and mottled sculpins (Cottus bairdi) in 5 streams and some tributaries to determine how the severity of acidic episodes (low pH and high Al) influenced density and distribution of these species. Among streams, Linn Run had the lowest pH (4.8) and highest concentrations of total dissolved Al (>400 μg‐l−1) during periods of high discharge. Densities of brook trout and mottled sculpins were low in Linn Run, but high in tributaries, where pH (6.5) and Al (30 μg‐l−1) remained well below lethal levels. Among the other streams, brook trout density was highest where the acidic episodes were least severe and the density of age‐0 brook trout was lowest when precipitation during the early months of the year was above normal. Immigration of brook trout from downstream areas maintained populations in the stream segments subjected to severe episodes. Mottled sculpins were not found in streams with severe episodes. Copyright © 1994, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved

DOI

10.1111/j.1600-0633.1994.tb00112.x

First Page

107

Last Page

115

Publication Title

Ecology of Freshwater Fish

Comments

At the time of publication, Charles J. Gagen was affiliated with Pennsylvania State University.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS