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Disturbance of freshwater habitats by anadromous salmon in Alaska

  • Ecosystem Ecology
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Abstract

High densities of habitat modifiers can dramatically alter the structure of ecosystems. Whereas spawning sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) dig nests that cover over 2 m2 and are at least 20 cm deep, and can spawn at high densities, relatively little attention has been devoted to investigating the impacts of this disturbance. We hypothesized that this temporally and spatially predictable bioturbation has large impacts on the coastal aquatic habitats used by sockeye. We experimentally investigated the impacts of disturbance caused by spawning sockeye in two streams and two lakes in Alaska by excluding salmon from 2.25 m2 plots where they traditionally spawn. We sampled exclusions and control plots before, during, and after spawning. During sockeye spawning, fine sediment accumulated in areas where sockeye were excluded from spawning. In addition, sockeye spawning significantly decreased algal biomass by 80% compared to exclusion plots. We found mixed effects of spawning on the invertebrate assemblage. Tricladida and Chironomidae densities increased by 3x in exclusion plots relative to control plots in one creek site. However, for most taxa and sites, invertebrate densities declined substantially as spawning progressed, regardless of experimental treatment. Habitat modification by spawning salmon alters both community organization and ecosystem processes.

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Acknowledgements

This is a contribution from the Alaska Salmon Program at the University of Washington. This work was supported in part by grants from the National Science Foundation, funding from the Bristol Bay salmon processors, as well as fellowships to J.W. Moore from the ARCS foundation, the National Science Foundation, and the department of Zoology at the University of Washington. Jenn Anson, Chris Boatright, Anne Carlson, Brandon Chasco, Tessa Francis, Karen Knirsken, Wendy Palen, and Laura Payne provided critical field or laboratory assistance. Eric Buhle, Stephanie Hampton, Jennifer Ruesink, Amanda Stanley, and two anonymous reviewers provided helpful feedback on earlier drafts of this manuscript.

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  1. Daniel E. Schindler

    Present address: School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences, University of Washington, Box 355020, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA

  2. Mark D. Scheuerell

    Present address: Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 2725 Montlake Blvd E., Seattle, WA, 98112, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Washington, Box 351800, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA

    Jonathan W. Moore, Daniel E. Schindler & Mark D. Scheuerell

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  1. Jonathan W. Moore
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Correspondence to Jonathan W. Moore.

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Moore, J.W., Schindler, D.E. & Scheuerell, M.D. Disturbance of freshwater habitats by anadromous salmon in Alaska. Oecologia 139, 298–308 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-004-1509-3

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