Valley‐scale hydrogeomorphology drives river fish assemblage variation in Mongolia

Abstract

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Geomorphology variables predict fish assemblages for forested and endorheic rivers of two continents

“…Our results showed that geomorphology has a strong influence on fish assemblages in US forested and endorheic rivers and in Mongolia endorheic rivers, confirming recent results showing how changes in valley‐scale geomorphology drives changes in fish assemblages in river macrosystems (Maasri et al, 2021). Geomorphic variables that were important in predicting fish occurrences tended to distinguish reaches based on valley width and gradient.…”

“…We used the ArcGIS‐based geomorphic model RESonate to identify distinctive reaches or FPZs separately in Mongolia and western North America mountain and endorheic ecosystems, following Williams et al (2013) and Maasri et al (2021). This is a GIS approach to identify unique river reaches using variables that are available in online GIS.…”

“…Evidence that fish assemblages respond to geomorphology variation has been observed at both local stream reach scales (Rieck & Sullivan, 2020) and larger valley scales (Elgueta et al, 2019; Maasri et al, 2021). Elgueta et al (2019) found that dominant fish assemblages at catchment, valley, and channel scales were associated with distinct FPZs.…”

“…Elgueta et al (2019) found that dominant fish assemblages at catchment, valley, and channel scales were associated with distinct FPZs. Additionally, variation in valley‐scale geomorphology was a strong predictor of taxonomic fish assemblages for Mongolia forest steppe and grassland rivers (Maasri et al, 2021). Maasri et al (2021) compared fish assemblage variation among reaches defined by geomorphology using occurrence‐ and abundance‐based beta diversities.…”

“…Additionally, variation in valley‐scale geomorphology was a strong predictor of taxonomic fish assemblages for Mongolia forest steppe and grassland rivers (Maasri et al, 2021). Maasri et al (2021) compared fish assemblage variation among reaches defined by geomorphology using occurrence‐ and abundance‐based beta diversities. Classification of fishes by functional traits frequently provides additional information about ecosystem roles in fish assemblage analyses (Pease et al, 2012).…”