Benthos in Brushy and Meadow Habitats of a Central Wisconsin Trout Stream
File(s)
Date
1977-08Author
Scullin, Timothy J.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Monthly benthos samples were collected in an upstream Meadow Zone
and in two downstream Brushy Zones of a small brook trout (Salvelinus
fontinalis) stream from April 1972 through April 1973. Benthic density
and biomass were much higher in the Meadow Zone than in both Brushy Zones.
The total and [weighted] mean number of organisms was 1430/m^2 [322/m^2]
in the Meadow Zone and they decreased to 440/m^2 [1.37 /m^2] in the adjacent
downstream Brushy Control Zone. The total and weighted mean biomass in
the Meadow Zone was 15.71g/m^2 [3.47g/m^2] and lowest in the Brushy Control
Zone, 4.51g/m^2 [1.36g/m^2]. Benthic density and biomass were highest
in vegetation and gravel substrates, found only in the Meadow Zone, and
they decreased in detritus and sand substrates, respectively. Mean
density and biomass in detritus and sand substrates were also highest in
the Meadow Zone compared to downstream Brushy Zones. Flooding, which
occurs infrequently, resulted in the lowest numbers and biomass encountered
during the study. Results from. this study support brush removal as a
management technique for improving the food base for trout in small
heavily shaded streams.