The influence of groundwater withdrawal and land use changes on brook charr (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvelinus fontinalis</Emphasis>) thermal habitat in two coldwater tributaries in Michigan,U.S.A. |
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Authors: | Kerryann E Waco William W Taylor |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability, Michigan State University, 1405 South Harrison, 115 Manly Miles, East Lansing, MI 48823, USA |
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Abstract: | Brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis) is a sentinel fish species which requires clean, cold water habitats. As such, many jurisdictions in the United States where
brook charr are present use this species as an indicator of ecosystem health. In Michigan, groundwater-dominated streams are
currently being impacted by increased groundwater withdrawal and land use/land cover changes which alter stream temperatures
and their flow, and thus have the potential to significantly influence brook charr production and behavior. We quantified
the influence of groundwater withdrawal and land use alteration on thermal habitat availability for brook charr using a groundwater
modeling tool that estimated changes in baseflow to a stream segment based on changes to the groundwater system due to groundwater
withdrawal and changes in rates of recharge related to landscape changes within a watershed. Projected stream temperature
changes were calculated using a stream temperature modeling tool and compared to the range of temperature preferenda for brook
charr in order to evaluate the potential impact of policy decisions regarding water extraction and land use/cover changes.
The models predicted relatively small changes in both stream baseflow and consequently, stream temperature, with increased
groundwater withdrawal rates. Land use/land cover alterations which we analyzed were shown to either mitigate or enhance the
loss of brook charr thermal habitat as a result of groundwater withdrawal, depending on its relationship to recharge dynamics.
This study emphasizes the importance of collaboration between water, land, and fisheries managers to ensure brook charr population
viability, productivity, and sustainability in the face of environmental change, increasing water use and development in the
watershed. |
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