Is scuba sampling a relevant method to study fish microhabitat in lakes? Examples and comparisons for three European species

Abstract

– We compared fish microhabitat use patterns in the littoral zone of a lake using a new direct method (point abundance sampling by scuba, PASS) and the widely used point abundance sampling by electrofishing technique (PASE). We collected microhabitat data for age 0+ roach (Rutilus rutilus L.), perch (Perca fluviatilis L.), and pike (Esox lucius L.). The two methods yielded different results for fish assemblage structure and microhabitat patterns. Using PASE, fish were mainly found in “shelter habitats” such as shallow waters and dense vegetation. It is likely that this behavior is caused by the disturbance of the observer stamping around. Using PASS, fish escapement behavior was rarely observed. Therefore, we concluded that this direct and nondestructive sampling technique can be used to provide an accurate microhabitat estimation of a fish community and is assumed to be more suitable than PASE for fish habitat studies.

Spatial organisation of European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) in a small catchment

“…Each of the matrices (i.e., for total density and for each size classes) were used to develop ecological profiles, c. preference indices for each environmental variables as a measurement of habitat use by each eel size classes versus habitat availability, based on the method of Ivlev (1961) improved by Beecher et al. (1993) and modified by Brosse et al. (2001).…”

Utility of direct observational methods for assessing competitive interactions between non‐native and native freshwater fishes

“…Moreover, underwater observation is a method with a low level of disturbance on fish behaviour (Grossman et al 1987a,b;Thurow 1994), and information on individual or group behaviour and habitat associations can be easily collected (Heggenes et al 1990;Freeman & Grossman 1992;Orell & Erkinaro 2007). Consequently, snorkelling and scuba diving have become useful tools for quantifying habitat relationships and interactions between native fishes in freshwater environments (Usio & Nakano 1998;Brosse et al 2001;Martı´nez-Capel et al 2009;Petty & Grossman 2010) and hold great potential for assessment of non-native-native interactions. Heggenes et al 1990;Dollof et al 1996).…”

Small – but not easy: Evaluation of sampling methods in floodplain lakes including whole-lake sampling

“…Results are often dependent on how sufficiently species richness and composition of fish assemblages are characterized by sampling (Cao et al, 2001). Many sampling methods have been designed to achieve reliable estimates; however, each sampling method has its own shortcomings (Brosse et al, 2001). For example, many studies attempted to find the most representative sampling method for lake habitats and to evaluate the accuracy of electrofishing (e.g.…”