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Assisted colonization of a regionally native predator impacts benthic invertebrates in fishless mountain lakes

Authors :
Allison L. K. Banting
Mark S. Poesch
Mark K. Taylor
Chris M. Carli
Rolf D. Vinebrooke
Source :
Conservation Science and Practice, Vol 3, Iss 2, Pp n/a-n/a (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
Wiley, 2021.

Abstract

The intentional introduction of native cold‐water trout into high‐elevation fishless lakes has been considered a tool to build resilience to climate change (i.e., assisted colonization); however, ecological impacts on recipient communities are understudied. The purpose of this study was to inform native cold‐water trout recovery managers by assessing potential consequences of translocating a regionally native trout (westslope cutthroat trout; Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) into fishless mountain lakes. This study compared littoral benthic invertebrate richness, diversity, community structure and abundance between three groups of lakes (fishless, native trout, nonnative trout) in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. While richness and diversity were preserved across all lake groups, other lines of evidence suggested that the introduction of native westslope cutthroat trout into fishless lakes can alter littoral benthic invertebrate communities in similar ways as nonnative brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). The community structure of cutthroat trout lakes resembled brook trout lakes compared to that of fishless lakes. For example, both trout‐lake groups contained a lower density of free‐swimming ameletid mayflies and a higher density of certain burrowing taxa. Risk assessments for trout‐recovery actions should consider the potential for collateral damage to recipient invertebrate communities. Future research should identify possible cascading trophic effects on species subsidized by invertebrate prey.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
25784854
Volume :
3
Issue :
2
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Conservation Science and Practice
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....1881d1ed4ba1d43b09ca09f9ad8f6899