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Stream Dispersal of Dead Fish and Survey Effectiveness in a Simulated Fish Kill
Author(s) -
Ryon Michael G.,
Beauchamp John J.,
Roy W. Kelly,
Schilling Elizabeth,
Carrico Brian A.,
Hinzman Roxanna L.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
transactions of the american fisheries society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.696
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1548-8659
pISSN - 0002-8487
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8659(2000)129<0089:sdodfa>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - biological dispersal , fish <actinopterygii> , range (aeronautics) , biology , environmental science , ecology , fishery , population , demography , materials science , sociology , composite material
The dispersal and recovery effectiveness of tagged dead fish were determined in a simulated stream fish kill. Two experiments were conducted under different flow regimes within a 2.3‐km section of headwater stream. The first experiment used 120 tagged dead fish that were released at three locations when the mean daily flow was 153 L/s. In six surveys conducted over 2 d, we found that a majority of fish (58%) were dispersed less than 35 m. Fish that were dispersed more than 35 m traveled quickly and traversed significant distances (up to 605 m). A unique distribution pattern was noted at each site, ranging from very limited to widespread dispersal for most fish. The second experiment used 216 tagged fish that were released at the same locations when the mean daily flow was 771 L/s. In six surveys conducted over 2 d, we found that 70% of the fish were dispersed more than 35 m. As in the first experiment, a range of dispersal patterns was found. In both experiments, surveys of tagged fish were effective, with 33 to 85% of fish found in each survey on the first day and with 81 to 93% of the released fish seen at some point during the experiments. However, daily surveys for dead fish may underestimate actual mortality, in part because there is substantial removal by scavengers.