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Habitat Mapping and Predator-Prey Dynamics in Ohio Resevoirs

May, Cassandra J.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1364461349

Abstract Details

2008, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology.
Mechanisms associated with habitat choice in fish are often unknown, and require exploration of many different abiotic and biotic habitat features. The importance of finding these drivers lies in helping to explain population variation. Saugeye Sander vitreum ¿ X S. canadense ¿ are stocked with varying success in Ohio reservoirs. As a step toward understanding what might be limiting saugeye in some reservoirs, we used spatially explicit information about temperature, prey availability, depth, slope, and substrate to predict saugeye habitat use. Using telemetry we mapped saugeye locations to assess factors that influence saugeye habitat use. Saugeye were tagged with a radio tag for location. Hydroacoustics were used to map prey densities and biomass, and to map substrate type. Akaike's Information Criterion (AIC) was used to determine which habitat variables are the most important for explaining the presence or absence of saugeye. In general, saugeye favored steeper slopes in nearshore areas with sand, gravel, and rock, and shallower depths during April -October, and over a 24-h period. Saugeye habitat suitability maps were created from AIC parameters. To determine how prey availability influences saugeye habitat choice, we created a spatially explicit growth rate potential (GRP) model. Using a saugeye bioenergetics model, we combined spatially referenced prey biomass and water temperature to determine potential growth of saugeye during the months of April - October. Overall, we found that GRP was low in the spring, before their main prey item, gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum, spawn, and saugeye GRP peaked, post-spawn, in August. When comparing GRP in 3-5m to 10-12m we found that the shallower depths have a bioenergetic advantage over the deeper waters. This information can be used to influence stocking rates of saugeye by considering both the temporal availability of gizzard shad and the amount of suitable habitat in a reservoir.
Elizabeth Marschall, Dr. (Advisor)
79 p.
Ecology; Organismal Biology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • May, C. J. (2008). Habitat Mapping and Predator-Prey Dynamics in Ohio Resevoirs [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1364461349

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • May, Cassandra. Habitat Mapping and Predator-Prey Dynamics in Ohio Resevoirs. 2008. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1364461349.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • May, Cassandra. "Habitat Mapping and Predator-Prey Dynamics in Ohio Resevoirs." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1364461349

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2008, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.