The influence of land cover composition and groundwater on thermal habitat availability for brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis) populations in the United States of America

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January 1, 2010 - Kiira Siitari, William W. Taylor, Stacy A. C. Nelson, Kerryanne E. Weaver

Journal or Book Title: Ecology of Freshwater Fish

Keywords: Brook charr; land cover; groundwater

Volume/Issue: 20

Page Number(s): 431-437

Year Published: 2010

Brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis) is a sentinel fish species that requires clean, cold water habitats generally resulting from landscapes that allow for surface water flows devoid of sediment and contaminants and high groundwater discharge of cold water. As such, brook charr are impacted by land cover changes that alter stream temperature regimes. We evaluated brook charr populations across their eastern and midwestern range in the United States with reference to thermal habitat availability in relationship to land cover and per cent baseflow. We found that while forest cover does protect brook charr thermal habitat, high levels of groundwater discharge can allow for increased levels of agriculture within a watershed by keeping the water cold in spite of warm ambient summer temperatures. Our study concludes that with enhanced communication among land, water and fisheries managers, society can provide for sustainable stream salmonid populations despite increased threats on cold water resources.

Type of Publication: Journal Article

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Tag List
  • brook charr,
  • center for systems integration and sustainability,
  • groundwater,
  • land cover
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