大兴安岭呼中区紫貂生境格局变化及采伐的影响

本文根据紫貂（Martes zibellina）行为生态学特征,利用景观生态学的原理和技术,将大兴安岭呼中区紫貂生境划分成最适、一般适宜和非适宜三种类型。以其紧邻的呼中自然保护区核心区1989年的生境格局代表呼中区1970年开发前的原始生境,揭示原始生境、1989年、2000年3个时期紫貂生境格局及变化。结果表明,1970-2000年紫貂生境格局持续恶化,已极不利于紫貂的生存。适宜生境向非适宜生境呈单一方向转变,且适宜生境由沟谷两侧向远离河谷的森林腹地大幅度萎缩。生境格局变化与经营时问长短关系密切,原始状态是以适宜生境为基质的均质状态,开发至一定时期,生境格局的异质化程度增大,继续开发则异质化程度又减小,形成以非适宜生境为基质的相对均质状态。大于巢区最小面积f4km0）的生境斑块的面积百分比、斑块密度明显下降,斑块间距离显著增大。进而对导致生境格局变化的要素进行分析后发现,持续采伐是紫貂生境格局变化的主要驱动因子,采伐改变了植被条件,而植被条件的非适宜性造成了紫貂非适宜生境。1989-2000年的采伐格局也并不合理,各年伐区在研究区内均匀分布,采伐设计时没有考虑动物生境保护。但可以推断,1999年后开始逐步实施的“天然林保护工程”有利于紫貂生境的恢复,本研究强调森林采伐经营的空间格局与动物生境保护之间的关系,旨在促进决策部门将生物保护作为采伐经营政策制定的重要决策因子。     

卡拉麦里山有蹄类野生动物自然保护区蒙古野驴生境格局动态及其成因分析

人类干扰导致的生境丧失与破碎化严重影响野生动物生存。基于2005年至2019年在新疆卡拉麦里山有蹄类野生动物自然保护区开展野外调查所获数据,选取影响蒙古野驴生境选择的关键环境因子,采用最大熵模型（MaxEnt）模拟矿业开发前（2005年）、矿业开发顶峰时（2011年）以及矿区生态修复和道路修建（2019年）三个时期的蒙古野驴适宜生境空间分布。选取相关的景观格局指数,分析了近15年来保护区内蒙古野驴生境格局的变化趋势。结果显示蒙古野驴的适宜生境主要分布于保护区中部,水源是影响蒙古野驴生境质量的关键自然因素。2005-2019年间该保护区蒙古野驴的生境经历了由较好状态到恶化,随后逐渐恢复的过程。矿业开发前蒙古野驴高适宜生境面积最大（2022.31 km²）,生境破碎化程度低,总体生境质量较好。矿业开发顶峰时蒙古野驴的适宜生境向保护区北部转移,适宜生境大面积丧失,其中高适宜生境面积减少了30.28%,且生境斑块面积小,形状不规则、离散和破碎化程度高,严重威胁蒙古野驴生存。矿区生态修复和道路建设后,大多数已修复的矿区重新成为蒙古野驴的适宜生境,保护区内蒙古野驴适宜生境面积较矿业开发时增加了556.31 km²,但仍处于破碎隔离状态;道路沿线适宜生境丧失严重,蒙古野驴对其明显回避。基于上述研究结果,针对蒙古野驴生境保护提出了具体措施,为卡山保护区蒙古野驴生境恢复及保护提供了科学依据。     

大兴安岭北坡火烧迹地森林景观恢复及其影响因子——以郁闭度指标为例

197年发生在大兴安岭北坡的特大火灾造成了森林资源的巨大损失,森林景观恢复一直是人们关注的热点.本研究选取与森林生产力密切相关的郁闭度因子作为研究对象,以ArcView、ArcGIS等地理信息系统软件为研究平台,采用1987年和2000年两期森林资源二类调查数据,对郁闭度、火烧强度、抚育类型和地形因子等进行分级,利用Kendall等级相关分析、相似性分析等方法,探讨了森林郁闭度格局的恢复状况以及火烧强度、更新类型、地形因子对郁闭度恢复的影响.结果表明,2000年郁闭度等级构成与1987年火前相比发生了明显变化,无林地以及高郁闭度等级比重明显下降,较低郁闭度等级比重显著上升;火烧强度对火后恢复的影响最为关键,火烧强度与郁闭度等级呈负相关;更新措施短期内对郁闭度恢复影响不显著,但可以缩短森林演替的周期,对未来针叶林群落生产力恢复具有重要的促进作用;地形因子中坡度对郁闭度恢复影响最为明显,其次为坡位,坡向影响最弱.     

大兴安岭北坡火烧迹地森林景观恢复及其影响因子——以郁闭度指标为例

1987年发生在大兴安岭北坡的特大火灾造成了森林资源的巨大损失,森林景观恢复一直是人们关注的热点.本研究选取与森林生产力密切相关的郁闭度因子作为研究对象,以ArcView、ArcGIS等地理信息系统软件为研究平台,采用1987年和2000年两期森林资源二类调查数据,对郁闭度、火烧强度、抚育类型和地形因子等进行分级,利用Kendall等级相关分析、相似性分析等方法,探讨了森林郁闭度格局的恢复状况以及火烧强度、更新类型、地形因子对郁闭度恢复的影响.结果表明,2000年郁闭度等级构成与1987年火前相比发生了明显变化,无林地以及高郁闭度等级比重明显下降,较低郁闭度等级比重显著上升;火烧强度对火后恢复的影响最为关键,火烧强度与郁闭度等级呈负相关;更新措施短期内对郁闭度恢复影响不显著,但可以缩短森林演替的周期,对未来针叶林群落生产力恢复具有重要的促进作用;地形因子中坡度对郁闭度恢复影响最为明显,其次为坡位,坡向影响最弱.     

大兴安岭北坡火烧迹地森林郁闭度恢复及其影响因子

1987年发生在大兴安岭北坡的特大森林火灾,总过火面积达1.33×106 hm²,形成了各种火烧强度区与未火烧区构成的异质镶嵌体。火烧强度、地形以及火后人类的恢复干预都不同程度地对火后森林恢复产生了影响。研究目的有二：一是为了揭示火后森林恢复状况;二是探寻火烧强度、地形以及火后更新措施等因素对火后森林恢复的影响程度。选取了位于火烧区的图强林业局中部的育英和图强两林场为研究区,选取反映森林景观质量的郁闭度指标作为研究对象,利用地理信息系统软件,将1987年火前与2000年的郁闭度等级分布图叠加,分析火后森林质量的恢复状况;利用多元线性回归法对火烧强度、海拔、坡度、坡向、坡位等地形因子以及各种更新方式对郁闭度恢复的影响程度进行了定量研究。结果显示,2000年郁闭度等级与火前相比发生了明显变化,2000年各林型郁闭度优势等级均由较高的等级4,5降为等级3;而等级1的比重也有所降低。表明,火后森林总体生长状况良好,无林地比重降低,但由于恢复时间较短,具有较高郁闭度的森林所占比重仍较低。多元线性回归显示,各因子均对火后郁闭度恢复产生了显著性影响。其中,海拔影响最大,与郁闭度等级呈正相关;其次是火烧强度,呈负相关;其它地形因子以及更新方式影响较小。     

大兴安岭北坡火烧迹地森林郁闭度恢复及其影响因子

1987年发生在大兴安岭北坡的特大森林火灾,总过火面积达1.33×106hm2,形成了各种火烧强度区与未火烧区构成的异质镶嵌体。火烧强度、地形以及火后人类的恢复干预都不同程度地对火后森林恢复产生了影响。研究目的有二：一是为了揭示火后森林恢复状况;二是探寻火烧强度、地形以及火后更新措施等因素对火后森林恢复的影响程度。选取了位于火烧区的图强林业局中部的育英和图强两林场为研究区,选取反映森林景观质量的郁闭度指标作为研究对象,利用地理信息系统软件,将1987年火前与2000年的郁闭度等级分布图叠加,分析火后森林质量的恢复状况;利用多元线性回归法对火烧强度、海拔、坡度、坡向、坡位等地形因子以及各种更新方式对郁闭度恢复的影响程度进行了定量研究。结果显示,2000年郁闭度等级与火前相比发生了明显变化,2000年各林型郁闭度优势等级均由较高的等级4,5降为等级3;而等级1的比重也有所降低。表明,火后森林总体生长状况良好,无林地比重降低,但由于恢复时间较短,具有较高郁闭度的森林所占比重仍较低。多元线性回归显示,各因子均对火后郁闭度恢复产生了显著性影响。其中,海拔影响最大,与郁闭度等级呈正相关;其次是火烧强度,呈负相关;其它地形因子以及更新方式影响较小。     

卧龙地区流域土地覆盖变化及其对大熊猫潜在生境的影响

土地覆盖变化作为土地利用驱动的显著结果,是人类活动对环境影响的最显著的表现。为了将土地覆盖变化结果用于探讨大熊猫潜在生境与人为活动导致的环境变化之间的关系,利用1：25万数字高程模型和1：10万土地覆盖分类数据（1990年,2000年两期）,采用流域时空对比和景观格局分析的手段,对卧龙地区两流域土地覆盖变化及大熊猫潜在生境的景观格局变化进行了对比研究,结果表明：①10a间,寿溪流域土地覆盖年变化率（0．33％）低于渔子溪流域（1．02％）,且两流域土地覆盖类型的变化趋势有所不同。主要表现为：在寿溪流域,主要土地覆盖类型的斑块均表现出破碎化的趋势,且森林和灌丛的斑块破碎化趋势更显著;而在渔子溪流域,仅是与人类活动相关的草地、农田斑块破碎化加剧,而森林和灌丛的平均斑块大小反而增加了。②两流域大熊猫潜在生境的景观格局变化趋势有所不同。在渔子溪流域,大熊猫潜在生境的景观多样性指数、均匀度指数、破碎度和森林景观形状指数均高于寿溪流域。而与渔子溪全流域相比,该地区大熊猫潜在生境的森林平均斑块大小较小,并且近十年,在渔子溪流域,大熊猫潜在生境景观的森林面积比重及斑块大小的减少,森林景观形状指数的增加等变化趋势与全流域的相反,间接反映出渔子溪流域的大熊猫潜在生境所受的人类活动的压力更大。③两流域分级集水区的大熊猫潜在生境比重分布与居民点密度分布存在空间上的分异。利用缓冲区分析表明,在渔子溪流域,大熊猫潜在生境与居民点范围的重叠更为严重,约57．7％的人类活动范围处于与大熊猫潜在生境重叠的区域。据此推断,大熊猫潜在生境在流域中的分布与人类活动空间上的交错关系是导致近十年渔子溪流域大熊猫生境受到严重干扰的重要原因。     

生境破碎化对生物多样性的影响研究综述

生境破碎化与生物多样性的关系是理论生态学的研究热点。本文在综述国内外相关研究内容的基础上,阐述了生境破碎化的概念内涵与度量,介绍了生境破碎化研究的主要理论基础、研究内容与研究进展;总结了目前生境破碎化研究存在度量破碎景观格局的方法尚未统一、研究方法有待精确以及生境破碎化与生物多样性的阈值效应尚未发现等问题。今后,半干旱地区生境破碎化对生物多样性影响的研究需要加强,空间分析理论和方法将会在生境破碎化对生物多样性影响的研究中得到更多应用。     

向海自然保护区丹顶鹤生境结构空间特征

丹顶鹤为国家一级保护珍稀禽类,是向海自然保护区重点保护对象。在我国乃至世界范围的丹顶鹤保护中占有重要的地位。近年来,由于自然条件和人类活动的干扰,丹顶鹤的天然家园．沼泽湿地发生退化,其生存受到威胁,丹顶鹤的数量波动变化较大。为了有效地保护丹顶鹤有必要详细了解和掌握其生境结构的空间特征和变化特点,以了解丹顶鹤的生境动态。在RS、GIS技术和统计分析方法的支持下,运用景观生态学方法对向海自然保护区丹顶鹤生境空间结构特征从景观特征、生境斑块空间关系和生境破碎化3个方面进行分析。选择景观斑块面积、周长、斑块大小以及斑块密度等描述保护区景观格局基本特征。利用斑块的邻接边界长度和斑块间隙指数分析丹顶鹤生境——沼泽斑块的空间邻接关系和聚集程度,数据表明沼泽斑块与人类活动频繁的耕地邻接较为紧密,而自身的间隙指数自20世纪70年代以来有明显增大趋势。分析了由于自然原因和人为活动影响所造成的丹顶鹤生境斑块的空间破碎化程度。计算结果表明,由于沼泽生境自身条件的限制,研究区内物理性破碎化减少的生境面积为2039．6hm^2,人为破碎化（居民地和道路）减少的生境面积为3845．1hm^2,这样研究区内丹顶鹤适宜生境面积为13680．1hm^2,可见人类活动对丹顶鹤生境影响很大。研究为保护区内丹顶鹤物种的保护和生境管理提供重要的科学依据。     

生境破碎化对动物种群存活的影响

生境破碎是生物多样性下降的主要原因之一。通常以岛屿生物地理学、异质种群生物学和景观生态学的理论来解释不同空间尺度中生境破碎化的生态学效应。生境破碎化引起面积效应、隔离效应和边缘效应。这些效应通过影响动物种群的绝灭阈值、分布和多度、种间关系以及生态系统过程,最终影响动物种群的存活。野外研究表明,破碎化对动物的影响,因物种、生境类型和地理区域不同而有所变化,因此,预测物种在破碎生境中的存活比较困难。研究热点集中于：确定生境面积损失和生境斑块的空间格局对破碎景观中物种绝灭的相对影响,破碎景观中物种的适宜生境比例和绝灭阈值,异质种群动态以及生态系统的生态过程。随着3S技术的发展,生境破碎化模型趋于复杂,而发展有效的模型和验证模型将成为一项富有挑战性的任务。     

High dependence on protected areas by the endangered giant armadillo in Argentina

A combination of technics was used to assess landscape variables associated with the presence of the globally vulnerable giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) in its southernmost distribution in the Chaco region of Argentina. Between 2017 and 2019, 369 km of foot and vehicle transects were run to search and record indirect evidence of the species (burrows and feeding excavations) in areas with different level of protection, including two national parks, three provincial parks, and non-protected areas. Distance sampling was used to estimate density of excavations and effective strip width sampled to estimate the surveyed area. Resource selection functions (RSFs) were used to assess the variables associated to its presence by comparing locations of excavations with available habitat within surveyed areas. In these RSF models covariates that may affect habitat use and survival of giant armadillos were included: three categorical ones: soil type, vegetation cover (forests vs. grasslands), protection level (national park, provincial park, non-protected), and five continuous variables: distance to nearest river, distance to nearest national park, distance to closest protected area, distance to nearest transformed area, and distance to natural grasslands. Habitat use was modelled pooling together burrows and feeding excavations, and models were validated with a pool of records previously excluded from the analysis. A total of 104 records of burrows and 344 of feeding excavations were recorded. The probability of occurrence of giant armadillo excavations was much higher within forests, within or near protected areas, and increased with the distance to rivers, to transformed areas, and to grasslands. In the study area, only 10% of the landscape surveyed has good- to high-probability of occurrence of giant armadillos. The maintenance of large surfaces of native forests and the consolidation, improvement, and connectivity among protected areas seem to be essential for the long-term survival of the endangered giant armadillo in Argentina.     

The Chilean coastal range: a vanishing center of biodiversity and endemism in South American temperate rainforests

Temperate forests of southern South America are globally important because of their high level of endemism. I argue here that within southern South America, rainforests of the Chilean Coastal Range should be the primary target for new conservation efforts. Historically, most protected areas in southern South America have been designated to preserve forests above 600 m, mainly in the Andes. However, Coastal Range forests have higher species richness and are under greater threat than Andean forests at similar latitudes. Coastal forests are characterized by the presence of numerous narrow-range endemics, among them two monotypic plant families. The higher frequency of endemic species in Coastal Range forests is attributed to its more stable biogeographic history compared to the Andes, particularly during the glacial events of the Quaternary. Due to the extent of human impact, the remaining fragments of coastal forests are quite distant from one another, and are disconnected from the larger protected areas of Andean forests. Only 439000 ha of Valdivian coastal forest still remain, including some remnants of primary forest. New private or public reserves should be created to protect the last remnants of continuous forest remaining on the Coastal Range of the Valdivian region (40–42° S). A different conservation strategy should be applied north of 40° S, where protected areas are too small and fragments are too scattered to maintain viable populations of most vertebrates. In this latter area, I recommend expanding existing reserves, restoring native forests, and interconnecting remnant forests through a corridor network.     

中国濒危兽类栖息地评估与保护研究进展与展望

目前全球物种正以前所未有的速度灭绝,对野生动物栖息地开展有效的评估与科学的保护是阻止濒危物种走向灭绝,保持其可持续生存与发展的重要前提和手段。本文针对我国的食肉类、有蹄类、灵长类、小型兽类、海洋兽类5个类别的濒危兽类,综述了其栖息地评估与保护研究进展的现状和成果,对相关学术成果进行了归纳与分析,以期为栖息地的科学保护与管理梳理出系统、可供借鉴的研究方法和技术手段,并对其理论和技术的挑战进行了展望,提出了我国濒危兽类栖息地评估和保护研究应走向整体化、定量化、智能化,以及多学科交叉融合应用的“精准化”发展方向,为国家生态建设工程的有效实施提供重要技术支撑。     

Vegetation characteristics influence fine-scale intensity of habitat use by wild turkey and white-tailed deer in a loblolly pine plantation

Habitat quality is often evaluated based on food availability. However, ecological theory suggests cover should be a more important decision rule when food is not a proximate threat to fitness, as cover mediates predation risk as well as other important factors of fitness. In reality, vegetation characteristics related to food availability and cover are rarely coupled with animal use in the same space and time to determine their relative influences on habitat use. Using an array of 81 camera traps in a matrix of forest management strategies used to deliberately cause a wide disparity in vegetation characteristics, we monitored intensity of use by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo). We measured vegetation characteristics related to food and cover at each camera trap location then used a generalized additive model to determine how vegetation characteristics specific to the location affected intensity of habitat use by animals at the location. Consistent among both species, cover best explained intensity of habitat use. Contrastingly, food did not explain intensity of habitat use well for either species. Some vegetation simultaneously provides cover and food, and our data indicate that areas with vegetation characteristics providing both resources had the greatest influence on intensity of habitat use by both species. Our results suggest deer and turkey may perceive cover as a more important habitat component when food is not a proximate fitness threat.     

Mapping habitat indices across river networks using spatial statistical modelling of River Habitat Survey data

Freshwater ecosystems are declining faster than their terrestrial and marine counterparts because of physical pressures on habitats. European legislation requires member states to achieve ecological targets through the effective management of freshwater habitats. Maps of habitats across river networks would help diagnose environmental problems and plan for the delivery of improvement work. Existing habitat mapping methods are generally time consuming, require experts and are expensive to implement. Surveys based on sampling are cheaper but provide patchy representations of habitat distribution. In this study, we present a method for mapping habitat indices across networks using semi-quantitative data and a geostatistical technique called regression kriging. The method consists of the derivation of habitat indices using multivariate statistical techniques that are regressed on map-based covariates such as altitude, slope and geology. Regression kriging combines the Generalised Least Squares (GLS) regression technique with a spatial analysis of model residuals. Predictions from the GLS model are ‘corrected’ using weighted averages of model residuals following an analysis of spatial correlation. The method was applied to channel substrate data from the River Habitat Survey in Great Britain. A Channel Substrate Index (CSI) was derived using Correspondence Analysis and predicted using regression kriging. The model explained 74% of the main sample variability and 64% in a test sample. The model was applied to the English and Welsh river network and a map of CSI was produced. The proposed approach demonstrates how existing national monitoring data and geostatistical techniques can be used to produce continuous maps of habitat indices at the national scale.     

Microhabitat segregation and cannibalism in an endangered freshwater isopod, Thermosphaeroma thermophilum

Intraspecific microhabitat segregation is expected to arise when there are age- or sex-specific differences in predation risk. The degree to which conspecific predation (cannibalism) can generate this risk, however, is poorly understood. In this paper, we examine microhabitat use, cannibalism, and individual responses to the presence of conspecifics in Thermosphaeroma thermophilum, an endangered isopod crustacean species that is endemic to a single, thermal spring in Socorro, N.M. USA. In samples from the natural habitat, juveniles (mancas) were found mainly on vegetation, whereas adults were found predominantly on bottom sediments. Females were found on vegetation more often than males. In laboratory containers without refuges, males cannibalized females, males and females cannibalized mancas, and mancas cannibalized each other, even in the presence of alternative food. When placed in containers provided with refuges, mancas actively avoided adults. We suggest, therefore, that cannibalism in T. thermophilum generates age-, size-, and sex-specific predation risks which are responsible for microhabitat segregation between mancas and adults, and between males and females. Since interspecific predation in the spring is negligible, cannibalism appears to play a significant role in population regulation and behavioral evolution in this species. We recommend, given the current “endangered” status of this species, that microhabitat heterogeneity be maintained in its native spring because it provides refuges from cannibalism and may support a larger and more viable natural population. Received: 28 June 1996 / Accepted: 24 February 1997     

The influence of predator presence on utilization of artificial seagrass habitats by juvenile walleye pollock,Theragra chalcogramma

Synopsis Behavioral preference for a structured habitat (artificial seagrass) by juvenile walleye pollock,Theragra chalcogramma, was tested in controlled laboratory experiments. We monitored position of fish in 2000 1 tanks with and without artificial seagrass present in one half of the tank. In addition, we exposed walleye pollock to a predator model, assessing their response when a grass plot was available or unavailable as a potential refuge. In the absence of predators, the fish avoided the artificial seagrass, displaying a preference for the open water side of the experimental tanks. In the presence of a predator model, however, juvenile walleye pollock readily entered the artificial seagrass plots. In addition, they often remained in the grass canopy in proximity to the predator instead of moving out of the grass to avoid the predator (when no grass was present they consistently moved to the opposite side of the tank from the predator). The behavioral choices exhibited in this study suggest that juvenile walleye pollock modify habitat selection in response to perceived predation risk, and recognize the structure provided by artificial seagrass as a potential refuge.     

The relative importance of food and shelter for seagrass-associated invertebrates: a latitudinal comparison of habitat choice by isopod grazers

The generality of mechanisms affecting habitat choice and grazing in seagrass meadows was evaluated in a latitudinal comparison of seagrass grazers from the temperate (60°N) Baltic Sea and the subtropical (30°N) Gulf of Mexico. Using similar habitat choice experiment set-ups in Finland and the USA, the role of food type, habitat complexity and predation hazard on habitat choice of the isopods Idotea baltica (Pallas) and Erichsonella attenuata Harger were tested. When shelter was provided by both living and artificial seagrass, epiphytic food resources on artificial vegetation were clearly preferred by both species, although Idotea was attracted to epiphyte-free seagrass when no alternative food was present. When choosing between food and shelter, both species preferred epiphytic food over shelter. However, under predation hazard of fish, Erichsonella clearly switched to the habitat offering shelter, while the presence of a predatory fish produced no preference for shelter by Idotea. Food type may be considered as an universal mechanism that partly determines the presence of grazers in seagrass habitats and is, in the absence of a predator, more important than shelter. Predation risk affected the behaviour of the grazers, but the response varied between species possibly due to varying importance of fish predation in the areas studied. Received: 16 November 1998 / Accepted: 13 February 1999     

Recent papyrus swamp habitat loss and conservation implications in western Kenya

Papyrus Cyperus papyrus swamps are characteristic of many wetlands of tropical Africa. Like most wetland habitats worldwide, they are under human pressure due to harvesting and reclamation for agriculture. Changes in papyrus cover were assessed using aerial photographs at three Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in the Kenyan sector of Lake Victoria. Papyrus area losses of 50% (Dunga), 47% (Koguta) and 34% (Kusa) occurred between 1969 and 2000. The habitat loss and degradation at the sites appeared purposeful, driven by demand for agricultural land and other papyrus products. Cleared papyrus and cultivated areas around all sites increased over the same period. If papyrus habitat loss continues at current rates, papyrus swamps at Dunga and Koguta will disappear by 2020, and Kusa will be reduced to only 19% of its 1969 area. Human population growth around the sites, with concomitant increase in land use activities and papyrus harvesting are the major factors that account for papyrus area reductions. Loss of total habitat is accompanied by deterioration in habitat quality within remaining areas. Papyrus physical structure (height and density) inversely correlate to human disturbances that include footpaths, cutting, burning, grazing and farming. The continued papyrus habitat loss and degradation represents a significant threat to biodiversity conservation particularly for papyrus-specialist birds and other papyrus-reliant species in western Kenya. The observed pattern of papyrus extents and land use changes at all sites provide the site-scale information necessary for papyrus conservation planning. In particular, conservation action is needed most urgently at Dunga and Koguta as they face severe land use pressures.     

Landscape topography and the distribution of Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi) in a high desert stream

Lahontan cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi, are currently limited in their distribution to a patchwork of small isolated populations, the result of habitat degradation and natural variation in landscape and in-stream conditions. The objectives of this study were to determine if landscape topography influences trout distribution, and if water temperatures control this response. The work was carried out in a sub-basin of the Quinn River system, McDermitt Creek, which drains the sagebrush desert of southeastern Oregon and northern Nevada. Headwater tributaries of this creek consist of alternating canyon-confined and valley bounded reaches. Trout within these systems are challenged by low discharge and high temperatures during the summer, and anchor ice during the winter. Contiguous whole stream surveys were used to look at trout distribution during the summer of 2003 and spring and fall of 2004. Our results suggested that topography can affect trout distribution. Trout numbers were highest in areas with greater numbers of nick-points (the transition zones between less confined and more confined valley segments) and greater valley confinement. Additionally, in the downstream portion of our headwater reaches, more trout were found in nick-points than expected based on the availability of this habitat type. Our data suggest that hyporheic inputs may be high in such areas, thus providing trout with shelter from warm water in the summer, anchor ice in the winter, and shallow stream depths during all seasons. Spatial occurrence of these areas of refugia can be taken into consideration when planning land use activities and restoration efforts. Further research is required to confirm that topography can affect the distribution of Lahontan cutthroat trout in other systems, and to better understand the mechanisms behind these patterns.