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Key Question #5:
Does fire favor non-native fish through expansion or displacement of native fishes, both resident and anadromous? Do context issues such as connectivity, isolation, location within a watershed, and gene flow matter in terms of risk of extinction?
Nonanadromous Lead Scientist: Michael Young, RMRS-Missoula, (406)542-3254 mkyoung@fs.fed.us
Anadromous Lead Scientist: Russ Thurow, RMRS-Boise, (208)373-4377 rthurow@fs.fed.us
Proposals selected: P31, P95
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Addressing the Key Question:
Although scientists have gained a better understanding of the post-fire changes in physical changes of streams, the response of the aquatic biota is less well known. Resident or anadromous fish species native to these waters – such as bull trout, cutthroat trout, steelhead, or chinook salmon – may avoid extinction by occupying refugia or by rapidly recolonizing streams as a result of complex life history strategies. Yet many of the changes in stream environments caused by fire are similar to those that favor nonnative species such as brook trout, brown trout, or rainbow trout, – or may promote invasions by such species. Because previous research has evaluated waters where only native or only nonnative species were present (and typically only 1-3 streams in any study), whether fire favors reestablishment of native or nonnative fish species is unknown.
Study and Sampling Design:
We propose to conduct comprehensive sampling on a number of previously investigated burned and unburned streams on the Bitterroot National Forest from summer 2001 through 2003 (for nonanadromous fish responses) and on the Salmon-Challis National Forest from summer 2002 through 2004 (for mixed anadromous and nonanadromous fish responses). Since the early 1990s on the Bitterroot National Forest, biologists from the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and the Bitterroot National Forest have been monitoring particular reaches on over 30 streams. These reaches were not monitored annually, but periodically during that decade.
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A stream crew measuring channel characteristics and coarse woody debris in Chicken Creek. A team from the Rocky Mountain Research Station is trying to identify the links between stream channel structure, riparian vegetation, and upland vegetation as they relate to fire history in the first of a 5-year study. For details, email Dr. Michael K. Young |
Measured variables included fish species composition and population size structure, habitat characteristics (using the R1/R4 methodology and suite of variables), and water temperature. Before the fires, most of these streams contained mixed communities of native and nonnative trout species and a variety of native nongame species. During 2000, different portions of about half these watersheds burned. Similarly, on the Salmon-Challis National Forest, multiple pre-fire samples were also collected by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Salmon-Challis National Forest, Rocky Mountain Research Station, and Shoshone-Bannock Tribes on a number of streams containing communities of resident and anadromous native fishes and resident nonnative species. Data were also collected on intragravel sediment, water temperature, water quality, and benthic macroinvertebrates. Portions of many of these watersheds also burned in 2000.
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In both regions, we intend to sample all of the previously sampled reaches in burned and unburned watersheds. We'll examine the differences in fish community composition between burned and unburned streams and evaluate habitat variables related to community composition and population characteristics in the burned systems. We'll apply this information to assist development of rigorous aquatic inventory and monitoring programs.
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Sediment collected in a water sample from Reimel Creek during a "blackwater" event in July 2001. The effects of suspended sediment and other factors on the balance between native and nonnative fish species in burned and unburned watersheds is being evaluated in over 30 streams on the Bitterroot National Forest by biologists from the Rocky Mountain Research Station, Bitterroot National Forest, and Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. For details, email Dr. Michael K. Young |
Field Data Collection:
All sampling will follow previously used protocols to maintain consistency, but will introduce new techniques and designs as needed. In addition, on three burned and three unburned streams on the Bitterroot National Forest, we will conduct more spatially extensive fish sampling to assess basinwide changes in fish populations in the aftermath of the fires. A similar approach may also be used in some watersheds in the Salmon-Challis National Forest.
Products, Data Analysis, and Results:
We expect three products from this research:
- a determination of how fire affects the composition of mixed communities of native and nonnative fish
- an evaluation of the changes in fish communities and stream habitats between burned and unburned watersheds
- an assessment of how stream channel and fish community and populations change with increases in fire extent and severity.
We will evaluate and select the most appropriate statistical procedures for comparing burned and unburned systems before and after the disturbance. Results will be disseminated via progress reports, informal meetings, presentations at professional meetings, a final report, and publication in peer-reviewed outlets.
| Budget |
Nonanadromous | Anadromous |
| FY2001 |
| Salary (Crew leader and field crews, 2.5 months) | $ 22,500 | |
| Travel and vehicle |
5,000 |
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| Equipment and supplies |
2,500 |
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| FY2002 |
| Salary (crew leader and field crews) |
23,175 |
21,665 |
| Travel and vehicle |
5,150 |
4,814 |
| Equipment and supplies |
2,575 |
2,407 |
| FY2003 |
| Salary (crew leader and field crews) |
23,870 |
22,315 |
| Travel and vehicle |
5,305 |
4,959 |
| Equipment and supplies |
2,652 |
2,479 |
| FY2004 |
| Salary (crew leader and field crews) |
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22,984 |
| Travel and vehicle |
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5,108 |
| Equipment and supplies |
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2,555 |
| Subtotal |
92,727 |
89,286 |
| RMRS contributed funding |
30,000 |
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| Subtotal |
62,727 |
89,286 |
| Administrative overhead @12 percent |
7,527 |
*10,714 |
| Total requested: |
$70,254 |
$100,000 |
Personnel:
Michael Young, RMRS-Missoula, (406)542-3254 mkyoung@fs.fed.us
Russ Thurow, RMRS-Boise, (208)373-4377 rthurow@fs.fed.us
Dan Duffield, Region 4
Mike Jakober and Rob Brassfield, Bitterroot National Forest
Robert Rose, Dan Garcia, and Tom Montoya, Salmon-Challis National Forest
* Administrative overhead amounts are removed from the estimate because emergency fire funds are excluded from overhead. (6/01)
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