Longitudinal distribution patterns and habitat associations of juvenile coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch in tributaries of the Little Susitna River, Alaska
dc.contributor.author | Foley, Kevin Michael | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2014-10-25T00:29:40Z | |
dc.date.available | 2014-10-25T00:29:40Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2014-05 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/11122/4544 | |
dc.description | Thesis (M.S.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2014 | |
dc.description.abstract | Understanding how headwater streams function as rearing habitats for juvenile coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch is essential for effective population management and conservation. To inform habitat restoration activities within the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Alaska, I determined upstream distribution limits, validated abundance estimates, and established fish habitat relationships in two headwater stream tributaries of the Little Susitna River in 2010-11. Using a low-effort, spatially continuous sampling approach and linear mixed-effects models, I related local- and landscape-scale habitat associations to abundance estimates. All-aged coho salmon composed approximately 98% of all fish sampled and inhabited the entire stream length to their upstream limits. Age-1+ fish resided in 64% and 44% of the stream length for the two sampled streams. The mean upstream elevation limit for all-aged fish in these streams was 278m and 267m. For age- 1+ fish, the upstream elevation limit in the two streams was 275m and 238m. Percent slope at the distribution limit of all-aged fish was consistent across streams at 5%, whereas percent slope for age-1+ fish correspond to 4% and 6%. Elevation and percent slope consistently described upstream distribution limits among age classes. Therefore, we must consider these landscape features when prioritizing restoration projects in headwater streams. | |
dc.title | Longitudinal distribution patterns and habitat associations of juvenile coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch in tributaries of the Little Susitna River, Alaska | |
dc.type | Thesis | |
dc.type.degree | ms | |
dc.identifier.department | School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences | |
dc.contributor.chair | Rosenberger, Amanda E. | |
dc.contributor.committee | Gerkin, Jonathon | |
dc.contributor.committee | Verbyla, David L. | |
dc.contributor.committee | Mueter, Franz J. | |
refterms.dateFOA | 2020-03-06T01:59:19Z |