Habitat selection and movement patterns of California golden trout in degraded and recovering stream sections in the Golden Trout Wilderness, California
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Authors: K. R. Matthews
Date: 1996
Journal: North American Journal of Fisheries Management
Volume: 16
Number:
Pages: 579-590
Summary of Methods: Habitat selection and movement patterns of California golden trout along two stream sections (high sedge-ungrazed, low sedge-grazed) of Mulkey Creek meadow (36° 22' N, 118° 15' W), in the Golden Trout Wilderness were measured using radio transmitters. At 6 study sections in low- and high- sedge areas, 29 California golden trout were monitored from 6 July to 14 July 1994 over 192 diel-tracking hours. Locations and nine habitat features (undercut bank, willows, collapsed bank, open channel, aquatic vegetation, sedge, boulder, grass, and detrital mats) were recorded.
Article Summary / Main Points: Availability of sedge and undercut banks was higher in ungrazed areas than in grazed areas whereas availabilities of bare bank and collapsed bank were higher in grazed areas than in ungrazed areas. Trout selected undercut bank, sedge, aquatic vegetation, bare bank and collapsed bank in both grazed and ungrazed areas. The most commonly used microhabitat features in the ungrazed areas were aquatic vegetation, sedge and undercut bank. In these areas, trout were found in open channels at night only. This differed from the grazed areas where trout were found near aquatic vegetation, sedge, undercut banks and collapsed banks. In pools and along runs, trout selected for undercut banks, aquatic vegetation and sedge biomass. Trout avoided bare banks and selected for collapsed banks in pools and along runs. Restoration efforts and grazing management practices to promote California golden trout should focus on preserving undercut banks, aquatic vegetation, and preventing collapsed and bare banks.
Vegetation Types: Alpine Meadow Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 22A Sierra Nevada Mountains
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Grazing Invertebrates
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita, california golden trout, streamside vegetation, habitat selection, stream degradation, carex rostrata, beaked sedge
Annotation: The results of this study are specifically related to alpine meadows and California Golden trout. Habitat selection criteria are probably similar across all species of trout and, if this is true, application of these results may be quite widely used. Overall, the habitat characteristics selected by California Golden trout are the same characteristics used in the description of functioning riparian areas.
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