Movement patterns and feeding behavior of juvenile salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) along armored and unarmored estuarine shorelines

Heerhartz, Sarah M.; Toft, Jason D.

doi:10.1007/s10641-015-0377-5

Cited by 19 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…However, the characteristics of MT2, many quick turns within a small area have been identified as feeding behavior in other fish studies. Salmonid feeding behaviour is associated with slower movement speeds and less linear trajectories D r a f t (Heerhartz & Toft 2015) and a decrease in swimming speed in Clownfish (Amphiprion perideraion) when an individual encountered a suitable prey patch (Coughlin et al 1992), both similar to those observed in the sculpin in this study. As well, Mottled Sculpin have been found to associate within patches together when prey abundance is high (Petty & Grossman 1996).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Movement types of an Arctic benthic fish, shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius), during open-water periods in response to biotic and abiotic factors

Landry

Kessel

McLean

et al. 2019

Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci.

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Shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius) are among the most numerous consumers in the Arctic nearshore marine habitats. Despite this, little is known about their movement ecology or predator–prey interactions, particularly with Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida), an important forage fish in the Arctic. Using acoustic telemetry, the movements of tagged sculpin and cod were quantified based on specific locations using a Vemco positioning system during open water when both species were present in the near shore. Movement trajectories of sculpin distinguish three unique types: foraging and feeding behaviour and large transiting movements. The relative time of each of these movement types were correlated to biotic (presence of large numbers of acoustically tagged Arctic cod) and abiotic factors (percent ice coverage and temperature). This study provides unique data on the movement, feeding ecology, and behaviour of an abundant Arctic benthic fish that demonstrates similar movement types to temperate fish. However, further study is needed to quantify specifically the trophic interactions of these important fish and impact on food webs in the rapidly changing Arctic.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Movement types of an Arctic benthic fish, shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius), during open-water periods in response to biotic and abiotic factors

Landry

Kessel

McLean

et al. 2019

Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci.

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show abstract

“…For example, some studies did not observe armouring effects on fish abundances or diversity (Seitz et al . ; Lawless & Seitz ) or found that armouring did not influence movement patterns or feeding behaviour (Heerhartz & Toft ). Some studies detected differential effects, such as on fish abundances in marshes but not subtidal areas (Gittman et al .…”

Section: Documented Effects Of Shoreline Armouring On Fishmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Armouring effects are not universal among ecosystems or species. For example, some studies did not observe armouring effects on fish abundances or diversity (Seitz et al 2006;Lawless & Seitz 2014) or found that armouring did not influence movement patterns or feeding behaviour (Heerhartz & Toft 2015). Some studies detected differential effects, such as on fish abundances in marshes but not subtidal areas (Gittman et al 2016), on community integrity along seawall but not riprap shorelines (Bilkovic & Roggero 2008) or on diets of some but not all species (Munsch, Cordell & Toft 2015b).…”

Section: Documented Effects Of Shoreline Armouring On Fishmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of shoreline armouring and overwater structures on coastal and estuarine fish: opportunities for habitat improvement

Munsch

Cordell

Toft

2017

Journal of Applied Ecology

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Summary Nearshore ecosystems are increasingly recognized as critical habitats for fish of cultural, ecological and economic significance. These ecosystems are often densely inhabited by juvenile fish, highly productive and refuges from predation, leading ecologists to characterize them as nurseries. However, nearshore ecosystems are being transformed globally to support demands of growing coastal populations. Many shorelines are modified by armouring (e.g. seawalls, riprap) that minimizes erosion, and overwater structures (e.g. piers, docks) that facilitate waterfront use. These modifications affect the ecology of nearshore systems by restructuring, eliminating and shading shallow waters. Here, we review literature examining effects of armouring and overwater structures on coastal and estuarine fishes, and discuss how research and management can coordinate to minimize negative effects. Along armoured shorelines, fish assemblages differed from unarmoured sites, fish consumed less epibenthic and terrestrial prey, beach spawning was less successful and fish were larger. Under large overwater structures, visually oriented fish were less abundant and they fed less. Shade from overwater structures also interrupted localized movements of migratory fish. Thus, shoreline modifications impaired habitats by limiting feeding, reproduction, ontogenetic habitat shifts from shallow to deeper waters and connectivity. Research suggests that restoring shallow waters and substrate complexity, and minimizing shading underneath overwater structures, can rehabilitate habitats compromised by shoreline modifications. Synthesis and applications. Shoreline armouring and overwater structures often compromise fish habitats. These threats to nearshore fish habitats will become more severe as growing coastal populations and rising sea levels increase demands for shoreline infrastructure. Our ability to assess and rehabilitate nearshore fish habitats along modified shorelines will be enhanced by: focusing research attention on metrics that directly indicate fish habitat quality; implementing and evaluating shoreline features that repair compromised habitat functions within human‐use constraints; collating natural history knowledge of nearshore ecosystems; and embracing the socio‐ecological nature of habitat improvements by educating the public about conservation efforts and fostering appreciation of local nearshore ecosystems. Actions to reduce impacts of shoreline modifications on fish are particularly feasible when they align with societal goals, such as improving flood protection and providing spaces that facilitate recreation, education, and connections between people and nature.

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“…Juvenile salmon fed on small invertebrates produced in epibenthic, terrestrial, and water column habitats (Toft et al 2007;Munsch et al 2015a). Shoreline armoring (e.g., seawalls, riprap) affected the epibenthic prey field at some of our sites (Toft et al 2013;Munsch et al 2015a), but there was no evidence that armoring influenced salmon feeding rates (Heerhartz and Toft 2015) or number of total prey consumed (Munsch et al 2015a).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…Third, we provide a parameter estimate for individual-based models that account for time allocated to feeding. For instance, movement models that quantitatively account for diurnal variation in feeding and increased path sinuosity while feeding (Heerhartz and Toft 2015) may suggest that large-scale movements, including migrations, occur primarily in the late afternoon after salmon are satiated. Overall, understanding when and how often fish feed may provide insights into their natural history that remain inaccessible by examining diets alone.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Quantitative Chronology of Diurnal Feeding in Juvenile Pacific Salmon

Munsch¹,

Cordell²,

Toft³

2017

Trans Am Fish Soc

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Daily cycles in feeding intensity are common among fish and suggestive of ecological trade-offs and constraints. However, feeding chronologies are typically estimated from diets rather than in situ observations. As a consequence, our understanding of daily feeding patterns is often imprecise, which limits our ability to infer connections between these patterns and their drivers. Here we quantify in unprecedented temporal resolution the real-time diurnal feeding behavior of a fish assemblage. Snorkelers observed juvenile Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. in estuarine waters between dawn and early evening. Fish fed throughout the day, with intake declining after dawn, and individuals allocated about 20% of their time to feeding at sunrise, declining to about 5% in the early evening. Many factors potentially influenced this behavior, including predation avoidance, physiological constraints, prey availability, and mandates for growth and migration. Prey mass in the stomachs of these fish increased shortly after dawn, reaching relatively stable levels through the afternoon. Thus, diet metrics detected the presence of feeding but not temporal changes in feeding intensity. Diets appear to provide limited information on the timing and intensity of feeding, and we may therefore only vaguely understand daily feeding patterns of fish when examining diets alone.

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Movement patterns and feeding behavior of juvenile salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) along armored and unarmored estuarine shorelines

Cited by 19 publications

References 47 publications

Movement types of an Arctic benthic fish, shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius), during open-water periods in response to biotic and abiotic factors

Movement types of an Arctic benthic fish, shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius), during open-water periods in response to biotic and abiotic factors

Effects of shoreline armouring and overwater structures on coastal and estuarine fish: opportunities for habitat improvement

A Quantitative Chronology of Diurnal Feeding in Juvenile Pacific Salmon

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