Observations on siting, dimensions and structure of salmonid redds

Redds of trout, Salmo trutta L., Atlantic salmon, S. salar L., and rainbow trout, S. gairdneri Richardson, were studied at sites in north-east England, south-west Wales and southern England (Dorset). Spawning females preferred gravels of 20–30 mm diameter and water velocities at 0·6 depth of 15 cm s^-1 and < c. 2·0 body lengths s^-1. After logarithmic transformation the major horizontal dimensions of redds could be related to one another by linear regressions, and redd tail length could, similarly, be related to female fish length. Egg burial depth in upland stony streams in north-east England and south-west Wales could be predicted from a linear regression of mean depth upon female length. Information is also given on gravel composition and redd structure.     

The Abundance of Different Peritrich Ciliates on Stone Surfaces in Contrasting Lowland Streams Throughout the Year

ABSTRACT. Pentrich ciliates attached to small stones from the beds of two streams, one large with hard water, the other small with soft water, were enumerated throughout an annual cycle. Throughout the year, Platycola was the dominant peritrich in both streams, except for a brief period during the spring when Vorticella and Carchesium predominated. Vorticella reached peak levels of 89 ciliates cm² of stone surface, and up to 102 Platycola per cm² of stone surface were found. Mean volumes of samples of the main species were calculated, and used to estimate the standing stock biomasses. using a standard value of dry weight per unit volume. Published values of the growth rates of representatives of the main genera were used to estimate production values, which totalled about 6.5 g dry weight of peritrich cytoplasm/m² of stream bed per annum in the large stream (mean annual density = 8.3 peritrichs/cm² of stone surface), and 33 g dry weight/m² of stream bed per annum in the small stream (mean annual density = 47 peritrichs/cm² of stone surface). Food supply, temperature and predation were the primary factors determining peritrich abundance     

Effects of light and temperature on the cell size and some biochemical components in two freshwater cryptophytes

The effects of light and temperature on cell size and cellular composition (chlorophyll, protein, carbohydrate) of two freshwater cryptophytes were studied with batch cultures. Neither of the species had a constant cell size but the size varied with growth conditions. At each temperature the smallest cells were recorded at the lowest experimental photon flux density. The smallest cells of Cryptomonas 979/67 had an average volume of 232 μm³ and the largest ones 1 020 μm³. In Cryptomonas 979/62 the smallest and largest cells measured 4 306 μm³ and 12 450 μm³. Both species increased their cellular chlorophyll content when PFB dropped below 110–120 μmol m^-2 s^-1. The highest and lowest chlorophyll contents of 979/67 were 7.45 fg μm^-3 and 0.55 fg μm^-2 respectively. For 979/62 the corresponding values were 10.23 fg μm^-3 and 0.93 fg μm^-3. In both species the protein content remained stable at PFDs higher than 110–120 μmol m^-2 S^-1. The highest content of protein measured in 979/67 was 638 fg μm^-3 and the lowest 147 fg μm^-3. For 979/62 these values were 1 036 fg μm^-3 and 148 fg μm^-3 respectively. The carbohydrate results were less clear and no pattern either in response to photon flux density or temperature was obvious. The lowest and highest contents recorded for 979/67 were 62 fg μm^-3 and 409 fg μ^-3 and for 979162, 36 fg μm^-3 and 329 fg μm^-3     

Body temperature and insulation in diving Great Cormorants and European Shags

1. Cormorants are typically considered as wettable diving birds with high thermoregulatory costs and are presumed to exert substantial predatory pressure on fish stocks.
2. The stomach temperatures of seven Great Cormorants and three European Shags were recorded during a total of 108 foraging trips undertaken near the Chausey Islands breeding colony (France).
3. Both species kept a constant body temperature during the dive series which lasted up to 158 min and were conducted in 12°C water. Consequently, assuming that heat loss to the water is equal to heat production in diving Great Cormorants, the minimal insulating plumage air volume was calculated to be 0·371 × 10^–3 m³ (corresponding to a 1·62-mm air layer) in males and 0·347 × 10^–3 m³ (corresponding to a 1·90-mm air layer) in females.
4. Furthermore, it is shown that plumage air volume and dive depth are the major factors influencing heat flux to the water and that the energetics of diving Great Cormorants may also vary substantially according to fat layer thickness, water temperature and body temperature. Swim speed plays only a minor role.
5. Considering these results, it is postulated that Great Cormorants may have optimized plumage air volume so as to minimize both mechanical costs (upthrust) and thermoregulatory costs of swimming in cold, shallow water.
6. Finally, body temperature patterns recorded in different cormorant species while diving are compared.     

Reproductive migration of brown trout in a small Norwegian river studied by telemetry

The movement of 34 large (39–73 cm standard length) brown trout Salmo trutta was monitored using radio telemetry for up to 74 days in Brumunda, a small Norwegian river (mean annual discharge 3·3 m³ s⁻¹) flowing into the large Lake Mjøsa. The maximum range of movement in the river was 20 km. No clear relationships existed between individual movement and water discharge, temperature and barometric pressure. Brown trout migrated at all levels of water discharge. At low discharge (<2 m³ s⁻¹) movements were nocturnal. A weir 5·3 km from the outlet restricted ascending brown trout at low ( c . 6° C), but not at high ( c . 8° C) water temperatures. Spawning occurred in September to October and tagged individuals spent 2–51 days at the spawning sites. Mean migration speed from tagging to when the fish reached the spawning area, and from when they left the spawning areas and reached the lake was 1·0 and 2·3 km day⁻¹, respectively. All tagged brown trout that survived spawning returned to the lake after spawning.     

Habitat selection by grayling—I. Spawning habitats

Grayling spawning sites were investigated in two French rivers, the Pollon (1 year) and the Suran (2 years) and described by current velocity, water depth, and substrate composition, completed by an assessment of bottom shear stress with FST-hemispheres. A comparison was made between used and available habitats, the latter being characterized by random sampling of 300 m long (Pollon) and 510 m long (Suran) river sections, both including three riffle/pool sequences. Mean velocities observed on spawning sites did not differ significantly between rivers or years (overall mean 48–9 cm s^-1 S.D. = 11.9, range 25.8–91.7 cm s^-1, n =150). Most water depths ranged from 10 to 40 cm in both rivers, but mean depths were significantly different ( P <0.05). Substratum of spawning grounds was dominated by gravel and pebbles (2–64 mm) in both rivers. Most spawning sites (99%) were characterized by a narrow range of hemispheres (nos 9–13), i.e. a range of shear stress of about 5–16 dyn m^-2. In the Pollon, spawners between spawning acts were found in a resting pool located immediately downstream from the spawning area and characterized by slow-flowing water (mainly <20 cm s^-1) and great depth (mainly >60 cm), with cover provided by overhanging branches and tree roots.     

Thermal dependence of swimming endurance in juvenile brown trout

The maximum swimming stamina of hatchery reared juvenile brown trout Salmo trutta , swimming against a fixed-velocity water flow of 36·6 cm s^-1 (6·97 L s^-1), was achieved at 16·1° C, and a 90% performance level occurred over a breadth of 7·7° C (12·2–19·9° C). The wide range of temperatures at which swimming performance is close to the maximal capacity could be a consequence of the implications for survival of this function.     

Comparative primary productivity of algal epiphytes on three species of macrophyte in the littoral zone of Lake Ohrid, Yugoslavia

Primary productivity of algal epiphytes on the surfaces of Phragmites, Potamogeton , and Nuphar was measured seasonally from June 1978, through June 1979, in the littoral zone of Lake Ohrid, using ¹⁴C methodology. Surface areas of individual macrophytes were determined throughout the study period through the use of a non-miscible surfactant and a calibration curve of surfactant weight versus known, calculated surface areas.
Mean total surface area available for epiphytic colonization during the study period was 1.032 m² macrophyte surface per m² of littoral zone for Phragmites , 0.810 m² for Potamogeton , and 0.167 m² for Nuphar . Seasonal rates of mean primary productivity of algal epiphytes on Phragmites from the surface to the light-compensation depth ranged from 84–1406 mg C m⁻² littoral zone d⁻¹; ranges for epiphytes on Potamogeton and Nuphar were 77–586 and 69–268 mg C m⁻² littoral zone d⁻¹, respectively. Maximum rates were observed typically during June; minimum rates were observed typically during August to December. Mean daily productivity rates over the 12 month period were for epiphytes on Potamogeton 167.0, on Nuphar 100.4 and on Phragmites 671.2 mg C m⁻² littoral zone d⁻¹. Calculated annual production for epiphytes on Nuphar was 36.65, on Potamogeton 60.95 and on Phragmites 245.0 g C m⁻² littoral zone yr⁻¹. Epiphytic production data were typically considerably higher than production data obtained for littoral and pelagial planktonic algae and compare favorably with published data for epiphytic and periphytic production in Lawrence Lake, Marion Lake, and Borax Lake.     

The populations of fish in the River Tees system on the Moor House National Nature Reserve, Westmorland

The age, growth, population densities and annual production of an isolated population of brown trout ( Salmo trutta L.) and bullhead ( Coitus gobio L.) were investigated over a 5 year period in Trout Beck in the northern Pennines. Additional data were obtained from two other sites; Great Dodgen Pot Sike and the River Tees.
Trout growth rates were low, particularly in Dodgen Pot Sike, but ages up to VIII were recorded. Bullhead growth rates were similar to those in the Tees at Cow Green (Crisp et al. , 1974), though the Moor House bullheads had a higher survival rate. Population densities of trout ranged from 0.10–0.22/m², with a fry contribution of 0.80%. The bullhead population in Trout Beck was sparse, generally 0.1/m², though an 0 group value of 0.46/m^a was estimated in 1967. At Tees Bridge values ranged from 2.5–7/8/m². Most trout matured by age III, though in Great Dodgen Pot Sike only half of the females were mature at age IV.
Annual production was estimated from Allen graphs. Trout production ranged from 1.02–3.50 g/m²/year, the fry contributing up to 51.5% of the total. A value of 0.48 g/m²/year was obtained for bullheads in the Trout Beck system in a year of good recruitment, whilst bullhead production at Tees Bridge was 7.43 g/m²/year, with fry and I group contributing 48.7 and 37.5% respectively. The high survival rate, irregular recruitment, and poor growth of these high altitude populations is discussed. Growth and reproductive peculiarities of the Great Dodgen Pot Sike trout are also discussed.     

An investigation of the factors influencing mean cell volume in populations of the ciliate Colpidium campylum

Within the temperature range 10°C-20°C, temperature had no effect on the mean cell size of C. campylum. Population density also exerted no noticeable effect on mean cell volume. The quantity of energy consumed, however, had a marked effect. In experiments where less than 8000 μJ were consumed/individual/24 h, the mean cell volume decreased. Above this level of energy consumption mean cell volume maintained a constant level.
The maximum values obtained for cell sizes were 160–190 × 10³μm³ and the minimum values 40–100 × 10³μm³. A response to decreased food concentration and hence decreased energy consumption was obtained within the 24 h experimental period, indicating a rapid response to changed environment by the ciliates.     

Effect of fire on the topsoil seed banks of rehabilitated bauxite mine sites in the jarrah forest of Western Australia

Summary Germinable seed stores of 5- and 8-year-old rehabilitated bauxite mine pits in south-west Western Australia were assessed before and after burning. These seed stores were compared to those of adjacent unmined Jarrah ( Eucalyptus marginata ) forest, to identify at what age fire can be reintroduced, in order to measure restoration success and reduce fire hazard. Soils were sampled in early summer (before fire) and late autumn (after fire). Before fire, the mean topsoil seed bank of 5-year-old sites was 2121 seeds per m² while 8-year-old sites had a mean of 1520 seeds per m². Only the 5-year-old sites were significantly different from the forest mean of 1478 seeds per m² for the same season. After summer burns (and possibly due to seasonal effects) topsoil seed banks of rehabilitated areas (sampled in autumn) decreased by an average of 53 per cent. Topsoil seed banks of 5–8-year-old sites were resistant to lower intensity burns, with 362 seeds per m² of native species surviving mild burns and 108 seeds per m² of native species surviving after an intense summer fire. The topsoil seed reserve of 5–8-year-old rehabilitated areas had a high proportion of annual weed species while the forest sites had high levels of subshrubs and native annuals. Low-intensity burns did not alter the composition of life-forms in the soil seed bank, while intense burns favoured annual weed and shrub species. The results indicate that it is not appropriate to introduce fire to rehabilitated areas before 8 years, due to limited fuel reduction benefits and possible adverse effects on obligate seeding species. The large proportion of weed species in the soil seed bank of young rehabilitated areas is a concern, and remains a major consideration for future disturbance of these areas.     

Benthic macroinvertebrates of a fluctuating reservoir

SUMMARY. Benthic macroinvertebrate distribution, abundance, and composition were observed in a fluctuating (7.7 m) central Wisconsin, U.S.A., reservoir during 1973–74. Chironomidae and Oligochaeta represented 98% of the total fauna by number. The chironomid, Chironomus plumosus , and an oligochaete, Limnodrilus , each averaged 36% of the total benthic biomass. Annual mean numbers and biomass in areas exposed to air, exposed to ice cover, or remaining inundated were 3025/m² (1.8g/m²), 4311/m² (4.5g/m²), and 8558/m² (16.0 g/m²), respectively. A substantial portion of the benthic fauna was stranded and subsequently decreased rapidly in drying and frozen substrates exposed to air. Total benthic numbers and biomass were greatest immediately below the drawdown limit.
Recolonization required 3 months (mid-March to mid-June, 1974) to attain pre-drawdown values for numbers and biomass, and subsequently both were greater after reinundation than before the substrate was exposed. Recolonization of areas exposed to the air was greater in substrates containing large amounts of organic matter than in sandy areas containing little organic matter. Sorting and transportation of sediments redistributed organic materials from the regulated zone to below the drawdown limit, and macrophytes were eliminated from the regulated zone. When compared to other reservoirs and lakes, the density of benthos in the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir is neither high nor low. However, when compared with non-fluctuating reservoirs the number of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Amphipoda, and Gastropoda was low.     

Trends and temperature response in the phenology of crops in Germany

The phenology of 78 agricultural and horticultural events from a national survey in Germany spanning the years 1951–2004 is examined. The majority of events are significantly earlier now than 53 years ago, with a mean advance of 1.1–1.3 days per decade. The mean trends for 'true phases', such as emergence and flowering, of annual and perennial crops are not significantly different, although more trends (78% vs. 46%) are significant for annual crops. We attempt to remove the influence of technological advance or altered farming practices on phenology by detrending the respective time series by linear regression of date (day number) on year. Subsequently, we estimate responses to mean monthly and seasonal temperature by correlation and regression in two ways; with and without removing the year trend first. Nearly all (97%) correlation coefficients are negative, suggesting earlier events in warmer years. Between 82% and 94% of the coefficients with seasonal spring and summer temperatures are significant. The conservative estimate (detrended) of mean temperature response against mean March–May temperature (−3.73 days °C⁻¹) is significantly less than the full estimate (−4.31 days °C⁻¹), the 'true' size of phenological temperature response may lie in between. Perennial crops exhibited a significantly higher temperature response to mean spring temperature than the annual crops.     

The ecology of three communities of small mammals at different altitudes in Malawi, Central Africa

This study compares the results of three studies and assesses the effects of seasonal changes in the environment on populations of small mammals at three altitudes in Malawi (Zomba Plateau [1900 m], Liwonde National Park [550 m] and Lengwe National Park [100 m]). Zomba Plateau had a higher annual rainfall (mean 2244 mm), longer wet season, shorter dry season, cooler temperatures and smaller water deficit than either Liwonde NP or Lengwe NP (which had similar climates). Maximum grass biomass (and fluctuation index) was 814 g/m² (1.7) on Zomba Plateau, 1066 g/m² (2.7) at Liwonde, and 854 g/m² (30.5) at Lengwe. Sixteen species of rodents were recorded, 7–9 at each study area; the species on Zomba Plateau did not occur at the lower altitudes, and the lower altitude species did not occur on Zomba Plateau. Percentage Similarity and Coefficients of Community showed that there was considerable similarity between Liwonde and Lengwe, but no similarity between either of them and Zomba Plateau. Mean population densities of small rodents (range, fluctuation index) were 23/ha (15–35, 2.3) on Zomba Plateau, 12.6 (2.7–19.1, 7.1) at Liwonde, and 14.5 (0.9–30.9, 33.9) at Lengwe. Stability of the environment tends to confer stability in demographic characteristics. Reproduction was mainly confined to the wet season (December to April) at all altitudes. Comparison of the proportion of new individuals each month, and the duration of residence by individuals, suggests that turnover of the population was slowest on Zomba Plateau and fastest at Lengwe. There was no evidence for reduced litter size, reduced opportunity for reproduction, or increased age to maturity at the highest altitude compared with the lower altitudes as has been recorded in temperate environments.     

The forest of Vorsø, Denmark: Succession towards a natural, decidous boreal forest influenced by breeding cormorants

The forest on the strictly protected island Vorsø in Horsens Fjord has since 1952 been examined every ten years to discover the number, basal area, wood volume and aboveground biomass of the species. This paper describes the results from 1982 and the development up to that. The dominating species are Fraxinus excelsior, Ulmus glabra and Fagus sylvatica. The two forests, "Vesterskov" (6.09 ha) and "Østerskov" (2.48 ha) respectively, were, in 1982, still immature. Their number of stems per ha were: 756 and 509; basal area: 38 m² and 45 m². volume: 544 m³ and 615 m³; biomass 207 t and 268 t. The annual increase 1972–1982 was respectively 8.8 m³/ha and 0.3 m³/ha. The impact of the cormorant ( Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis ) is especially in "Østerskov" increasing, since the colony here was established in 1976. The succession of the forest is discussed in relation to the disturbance by the cormorants.     

EFFECT OF CURRENT VELOCITY ON THE DETACHMENT OF THALLI OF ULVA LACTUCA (CHLOROPHYTA) IN A NEW ZEALAND ESTUARY

Experiments were undertaken in a recirculating flume to determine the relationships among water velocity, thallus area, drag, and the probability of thallus breakage or detachment in the foliose green alga Ulva lactuca L. In all specimens tested to breaking point, thalli detached from their bivalve substrates as a result of stipe breakage rather than in midthallus or by holdfast detachment. There was no relationship between thallus size and drag at which detachment occurred. Rather, the probability of detachment was normally distributed about a mean drag of 0. 70 N (95% confidence limits 0.55–0.85 N). Average breaking stress of stipes was 345 kN.m^-2 (95% cl 250–485 kN.m^-2). Similar results were obtained in field experiments where the horizontal force required to detach thalli was measured directly as 0.93 N (95% cl 0.69–1.15 N). Drag coefficients of plants were not constant with water velocity but increased up to 0.4 m.s^-1, declining exponentially at velocities above this. Empirical relationships were established between coefficient of drag and Reynold's number and, hence, among drag, thallus area and water velocity. These relationships permitted estimation of mean water velocity at which plants of a given area would detach .     

Relative abundance and growth of mussels (Mollusca: Eulamellibranchia) in pools 8,9 and 10 of the Mississippi River

SUMMARY. Twenty-three species of unionid mussels were sampled during the summer of 1975 from a 76-mile reach of the Upper Mississippi River; this represented eight species fewer than were recorded in a 1930–31 survey for the same section of the river. Of the 244 sites sampled in 1975, mussels were found at 116 sites and the ten most productive sites accounted for 40.8% of the 1205 mussels collected. There were as many as thirteen different mussel species taken from one sampling site. The two most abundant species ( Amblema peruviana and Megalonaias gigantea ) constituted 54.5% of the mussels sampled in 1975; these two species made up only 8.3% of the 1930–31 survey. Individuals of the twelve most abundant mussel species were aged, and shell-length growth equations were determined. In addition, shell-free dry weight growth rate and shell weight growth rate was determined for Amblema peruviana . The calculated annual production for A. peruviana (assuming a mean density of 1 per m²) was 482 mg/m² shell-free dry weight, and 14.471 g/m² shell weight.     

Influence of water depth on dispersion of juvenile salmonids, Salmo salar L. and S. trutta L., in a Scottish stream

The dispersion of salmon and trout of 0 +, 1 + and 2 + age classes was examined by electrofishing 12 sections of a stream in Perthshire, Scotland at the end of the growing season in September to October in 1972 and 1976. In 1972 sections ranged in surface area from 21 to 122 m² and had volumes of 5.0–17.3 m³ and when surveyed in 1976 surface areas were 15–106 m² and volumes 2.1–6.7 m³. In 1976 widths and areas of sections were 63–87% of the values for 1972, depths were 39–68% and volumes 28–52% of the earlier values. These differences were due to 1976 being drier and warmer. In both years, all sections contained 0 + and 1 + age classes of salmon and trout and some sections contained 2 + age salmon and trout. The total density of fish in a section ranged from 1.9 to 3.9 m⁻² in 1972 and from 3.72 to 6.08 m⁻² in 1976. There was an inverse relationship, significant in 1972 only, between the density of 0 + salmon and that of 1 + trout in the different sections. Densities of both 0 + and 1 + salmon in the sections were inversely correlated, and those of 0 + and 1 + trout were directly correlated, with area of water deeper than 10 cm.     

Host Search behaviour by Rhagoletis pomonella files: inter-tree movement patterns in response to wind-borne fruit volatiles under filed conditions

Abstract. Responses of Rhagoletis pomonella (Wash) (Diptera: Tephritidae) to synthetic host fruit violates were studied in the field. Individually marked females were released in the centre of a 25 m² patch containing twenty-five host trees ( Crataegus mollis var, toba ) and followed as they moved within and between trees. Fly response to three experimental conditions was studied: (1) 'clean' air; (2) synthetic host fruit violates (apple) permeating the patch; and (3) a single point source of odour placed c 1m away from the edge of the patch. Files in a patch permeated with host odour moved faster, exhibited more straightened-out moves, and reached the edges of the patch more quickly than those exposed to clean air. Flies exposed to a point source of odour exhibited clear orientation responses, arriving consistently at the tree harbouring the source of odour. Odour exposure was intermittent and usually brief ( c . 20s^-1 exposure) with intervals between exposure periods averaging 103s. Wind speed and direction were highly variable. Flies moved during wind ranging in speed form 0.5 to 4.4 m s^-1, with their activity being greatest at winds below 2m s^-1. Strong winds (>3.5 ms^-1) either arrested movement or enhanced downwind displacement. Our observations tend to support the 'series-of-steps' hypothesis reviewed by Gibson & Brandy (1985) as a mechanism of close-range host location (1-5m from odour source). Our findings are discussed with respect to theoretical and practical implications of insect orientation mechanisms to odours, dispersal, and control strategies.     

Leaf Gas Exchange Characteristics in Relation to Leaf Canopy Position of Myrica faya in its Native Environment (Tenerife, Canary Islands)

Abstract: Diurnal courses of gas exchange were measured throughout one year in fully expanded current-year leaves in the uppermost canopy (sun leaves, 18 m above ground) and in the lower canopy (shade leaves, 12 m above ground) of Myrica faya Ait., a dominant component of the Canarian laurel forest in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
M. faya showed large differences between sun and shade leaves in gas exchange characteristics (about 50 % of maximum carbon assimilation rate (A_max) reduction in shade leaves, but this reduction can be higher on specific days) that were modulated by strong light attenuation and high leaf area index (LAI) of the stand. This species presented low A_max, about 10 μmol m^-2 s^-1, high maximum transpiration (E, 8 mmol m^-2 s^-1) and stomatal conductance (g_s, 750 mmol m^-2 s^-1) and very low instantaneous water use efficiency (WUE, mean maximum 1.1 mmol mol^-1) and A/g_s (mean maximum 23.5 μmol mol^-1). M. faya responded to high air vapour pressure deficit (VPD), decreasing its g_s but maintaining relatively high values of A and E during the studied period. Stomatal response to VPD showed a higher sensitivity than its congeners, M. cerifera, and Laurus azorica, tree species co-occurring in the Canarian laurel forest. In general, all these gas exchange characteristics lead us to consider this species more similar to subtropical plants of humid regions than to species of the Mediterranean region.