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Weber River metapopulation and source-sink dynamics of native and endemic fishes Samuel McKay Utah State University / Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Phaedra BudyUS Geologic Survey/Utah Cooperative Fish Wildlife Research Unit Paul Thompson and the Northern Region Office Utah Division of Wildlife Resources J. R. Tomelleri J. R. Tomelleri
Metapopulations in Aquatic Systems • Populations interacting over space and time • Range of habitats • Dispersal in river systems: • Linear • Easily obstructed
Basin scale • Segment scale • Reach scale Fausch et al. 2002
The Weber River • Fragmented and degraded • Home to Bonneville cutthroat trout and bluehead sucker • Conservation agreement species
Research Goals • Describe the BCT metapopulation structure • Contemporary • Historical • Determine factors limiting population viability and persistence • Connectivity
Objectives • Characterize lower Weber River BCT metapopulation • Determine if fluvial life-history expression is still present • Investigate barrier permeability
Sampling Methodology • Electrofishing • Raft, canoe, backpack • Seines / nets • Picket weir • Mark-recapture
Obj 1: Characterize lower Weber River BCT metapopulation • Compare tributaries and mainstem • Population size • Mark-recapture • Population structure • Length-frequency
Mainstem and Tributary Comparison • Population size structure differences • Potential source-sink metapopulation dynamics • ─ Limited recruitment in mainstem?
Source-Sink Metapopulation Source Sink Flow
Source-Sink Metapopulation Source Sink Flow
Objectives • Characterize lower Weber River BCT metapopulation • Determine if fluvial life-history expression is still present • Investigate barrier permeability
Determine if fluvial life-history expression is still present • Mark-recapture • Passive PIT antennas • Importance: Connectivity • Spawning • >330 mm TL potentially Fluvial
Population Size Structure • Fluvial BCT! • ─ resident fish in tributaries would not get this large • Large fish below barriers
Objectives • Characterize lower Weber River BCT metapopulation • Determine if fluvial life-history expression is still present • Investigate barrier permeability
Obj. 3: Investigate Barrier Permeability • Document location of barriers • Type, height, velocity • Mark-recapture • above and below • Picket weir
N Ogden Flow
N Ogden Flow = mainstem
N Ogden Flow = mainstem = tributary
Strawberry Movement Example Ogden • Marked 2 ripe fish >350 mm TL in tributary
Strawberry Movement Example Ogden • Recaptured in mainstem • Barrier disrupted spawning?
Preliminary Results 2011 • Population estimate section 04 • 704 (475-1098 +- 95% CI) • Population size structure • Mainstem • Tributaries • Identified 3 mainstem and 7 tributary barriers
Summary • Barriers are a potentially limiting factor • Limited connectivity • Fluvial life-history expression prevails
Management Implications • Allow managers to focus restoration efforts where they will be most effective • Guide habitat connectivity restoration • Barrier removal • Assist with the development of an effective conservation strategy for both species
Thank you! • UDWR Northern Region and Salt Lake • Advisor: Phaedra Budy • FEL • Trout Unlimited • PacifiCorp Energy • UDOT • Weber Basin Water Conservancy District