2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
5/20/2019 | 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM | STREAM FOOD WEB RESPONSE TO THE BENTHIC ALGAE DIDYMOSPHENIA GEMINATA IN AN INLAND TEMPERATE RAINFOREST | 250 DE
STREAM FOOD WEB RESPONSE TO THE BENTHIC ALGAE DIDYMOSPHENIA GEMINATA IN AN INLAND TEMPERATE RAINFOREST
The response of vertebrate taxa to environmental change is studied for its import to both conservation science and ecological theory. In the Kootenai River basin of Montana, nuisance blooms of Didymosphenia geminata (Didymo) alter the benthic habitat of stream-dwelling macroinvertebrates leading to concerns about food availability to vulnerable Redband Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri) populations. The goal of this study was to determine if Didymo blooms influence the production of secondary consumers and examine underlying trophic mechanisms. Two study streams with similar physical habitats were selected, one with Didymo blooms and one without. Trout were captured bi-monthly, weighed, measured, and lavaged for diet contents. We constructed energy-flow food webs using mark-recapture population estimates, measured trout growth, and diet samples in both streams. During the summer of 2018, Redband Trout production was more than three times higher in the stream with Didymo compared to the reference. Food web analysis revealed that this stark contrast is likely attributable to differing sources and magnitudes of macroinvertebrate energy flow to trout. While preliminary, it appears management of Didymo blooms for the benefit of trout is likely not necessary in similar systems.
- Food Webs
- Secondary Production
- Algae
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Presenters/Authors
Niall Clancy
(), Utah State University, niall.clancy@aggiemail.usu.edu;
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Janice Brahney
(), Utah State University, jbrahney@gmail.com;
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Phaedra Budy
(), U.S. Geological Survey, Utah Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Utah State University, phaedra.budy@usu.edu;
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