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Food for Fish: Challenges and Opportunities for Quantifying Foodscapes in River Networks

Oct 18, 2024

Abstract

Riverine fishes face many challenges including habitat degradation and climate change, which alter the productivity of the riverscapes in which fish live, reproduce, and feed. Understanding the watershed portfolio of foraging and growth opportunities that sustain productive and resilient fish populations is important for prioritizing conservation and restoration. However, the spatiotemporal distribution and availability of fish food are poorly understood relative to other factors such as abiotic habitat quantity and quality (e.g., water temperature). In this paper, we build on the concept of “foodscapes,” and describe three components of food for fish, including abundance, accessibility, and quality. We then discuss methodological advances to help address three key questions: (1) Why is food availability hard to estimate? (2) What are the consequences of uncertainty in food availability estimates? and (3) What approaches are available or emerging for quantifying food available to fish? To address the first question, we characterize data acquisition and analytical challenges; for the second, we demonstrate the importance of evaluating and communicating potential consequences of uncertainty; and for the third, we posit opportunities for future work. Collectively, we highlight the need for greater appreciation of the role food plays in stream fish conservation, especially given its critical influence on responses to warming temperatures.

Other Keywords: food availability, growth, method, prey, production, salmon, synthesis

Authors

Valerie Ouellet, Aimee Fullerton, Matt Kaylor, Sean Naman, Ryan Bellmore, Jordan Rosenfeld, Gabriel Rossi, Seth White, Suzanne Rhoades, David Beauchamp, Martin Liermann, Peter Kiffney, and Beth Sanderson

Citation

Ouellet, V., A.H. Fullerton, M. Kaylor, S. Naman, R. Bellmore, J. Rosenfeld, G. Rossi, S. White, S. Rhoades, D.A. Beauchamp, M. Liermann, P. Kiffney, and B. Sanderson. 2024. Food for fish: Challenges and opportunities for quantifying foodscapes in river networks. WIREs Water: e1752. Online at https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1752.

Date

2024/09/24

Report No.

JournalPost_Quellet_etal2024

Media Type

Journal Article