Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Seasonal changes in stream salmonid population densities in two tributaries of a boreal river in northern Japan

  • Full Paper
  • Published:
Ichthyological Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We examined seasonal changes in population densities of stream salmonids (masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou, white-spotted charr Salvelinus leucomaenis, and rainbow trout O. mykiss) in two tributaries of the Shoro River, eastern Hokkaido, Japan. In one small tributary, water temperature was relatively high during the winter, and populations of salmon and trout increased through immigration at this time of the year, becoming dominant components of the salmonid assemblage; the density of charr in this stream decreased during the winter, but charr was dominant during the summer. In another medium-sized tributary, the water temperature fell to close to 0°C during the winter, and densities of salmon and charr decreased in this season, through emigration; trout were very rare in this stream. Seasonal patterns of stream salmonid densities vary among species and between localities, resulting in seasonal changes in species composition. For a comprehensive understanding of population processes, a whole-river survey across seasons will be necessary.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Anderson CS (1995) Measuring and correcting for size selection in electrofishing mark–recapture experiments. Trans Am Fish Soc 124:663–676

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong JD, Griffiths SW (2001) Density-dependent refuge use among over-wintering wild Atlantic salmon juveniles. J Fish Biol 58:1524–1530

    Google Scholar 

  • Bain MB, Finn JT, Booke HE (1985) Quantifying stream substrate for habitat analysis studies. N Am J Fish Manage 5:499–506

    Google Scholar 

  • Baxter CV, Fausch KD, Murakami M, Chapman PL (2007) Invading rainbow trout usurp a terrestrial prey subsidy from native charr and reduce their growth and abundance. Oecologia 153:461–470

    Google Scholar 

  • Benjamin JR, Dunham JB, Dare MR (2007) Invasion by nonnative brook trout in Panther Creek, Idaho: roles of local habitat quality, biotic resistance, and connectivity to source habitats. Trans Am Fish Soc 136:875–888

    Google Scholar 

  • Berger AM, Gresswell RE (2009) Factors influencing coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) seasonal survival rates: a spatially continuous approach within stream networks. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 66:613–632

    Google Scholar 

  • Bramblett RG, Bryant MD, Wright BE, White RG (2002) Seasonal use of small tributary and main-stem habitats by juvenile steelhead, coho salmon, and Dolly Varden in a southeastern Alaska drainage basin. Trans Am Fish Soc 131:498–506

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown RS (1999) Fall and early winter movements of cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarki, in relation to water temperature and ice conditions in Dutch Creek, Alberta. Environ Biol Fish 55:359–368

  • Curry RA, Brady C, Noakes DLG, Danzmann RG (1997) Use of small streams by young brook trout spawned in a lake. Trans Am Fish Soc 126:77–83

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliott JM (1994) Quantitative ecology and the brown trout. Oxford University Press, Oxford

  • Erkinaro J (1995) The age structure and distribution of Atlantic salmon parr, Salmo salar L., in small tributaries and main stems of the subarctic River Teno, northern Finland. Ecol Fresh Fish 4:53–61

  • Fausch KD, Nakano S, Ishigaki K (1994) Distribution of two congeneric charrs in streams of Hokkaido Island, Japan: considering multiple factors across scales. Oecologia 100:1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Gregory JS, Griffith JS (1996) Aggressive behaviour of underyearling rainbow trout in simulated winter concealment habitat. J Fish Biol 49:237–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurst TP (2007) Causes and consequences of winter mortality in fishes. J Fish Biol 71:315–345

    Google Scholar 

  • Huusko A, Greenberg L, Stickler M, Linnansaari T, Nykänen M, Vehanen T, Koljonen S, Louhi P, Alfredsen K (2007) Life in the ice lane: the winter ecology of stream salmonids. River Res Appl 23:469–491

    Google Scholar 

  • Inoue S, Ishigaki K (1968) Notes on the biology of juvenile masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) during winter in the Chihase River, Hokkaido. Jpn J Limnol 29:27–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Inoue M, Miyata M, Tange Y, Tanigushi Y (2009) Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) invasion in Hokkaido streams, northern Japan, in relation to flow variability and biotic interactions. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 66:1423–1434

    Google Scholar 

  • Jakober MJ, McMahon TE, Thurow RF, Clancy CG (1998) Role of stream ice on fall and winter movements and habitat use by bull trout and cutthroat trout in Montana headwater streams. Trans Am Fish Soc 124:223–235

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitanishi S, Yamamoto T, Nakagawa M (2010) Abiotic factors associated with the occurrence of introduced rainbow trout in the Atsuta River. Ichthyol Res 57:305–309

    Google Scholar 

  • Kobayashi M, Shimoda K, Takeuchi K (2007) Winter behavior of juvenile masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) in the stream of southwestern Hokkaido. Sci Rep Hokkaido Fish Hatchery 61:19–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Lobón-Cerviá J, Rincón PA (2004) Environmental determinants of recruitment and their influence on the population dynamics of stream-living brown trout Salmo trutta. Oikos 105:614–646

    Google Scholar 

  • Mac MJ (1985) Effects of ration size on preferred temperature of lake charr Salvelinus namaycush. Environ Biol Fish 14:227–231

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayama H (1992) Studies on the freshwater life and propagation technology of masu salmon, Oncorhynchus masou (Brevoort). Sci Rep Hokkaido Salmon Hatchery 46:1–156

  • Meyer KA, Gregory JS (2000) Evidence of concealment behavior by adult rainbow trout and brook trout in winter. Ecol Fresh Fish 9:138–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Miyakoshi Y, Hayano H, Omori H, Nagata M, Irvine JR (2002) Importance of instream cover for young masu salmon, Oncorhynchus masou, in autumn and winter. Fish Manage Ecol 9:217–223

  • Miyakoshi Y, Yabe H, Urabe H, Mano S, Kawamura H, Yamashita S (2007) Autumnal instream migration of juvenile masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou in the Shiribeshi-Toshibetsu River. Monthly Rep Civil Engineering Res Inst Cold Region 646:9–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Morita K (2001) The growth history of anadromous white-spotted charr in northern Japan: a comparison between river and sea life. J Fish Biol 59:1556–1565

    Google Scholar 

  • Morita K, Morita SH (2002) Rule of age and size at maturity: individual variation in the maturation history of resident white-spotted charr. J Fish Biol 61:1230–1238

    Google Scholar 

  • Morita K, Nagasawa T (2010) Latitudinal variation in the growth and maturation of masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) parr. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 67:955–965

    Google Scholar 

  • Morita K, Tsuboi J, Matsuda H (2004) The impact of exotic trout on native charr in a Japanese stream. J Appl Ecol 41:962–972

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagasawa T, Morita K, Tsuboi J (2009) Longitudinal distribution and changes in the fish fauna of a mid-scale river, Shoro River system, eastern Hokkaido, with notes on signal crayfish. Jpn J Ichthyol 56:31–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Nagayama S, Nakamura F (2007) Juvenile masu salmon in a regulated river. River Res Appl 23:671–682

    Google Scholar 

  • Niemelä E, Julkunen M, Erkinaro J, Mäkinen TS (2001) Seasonal variation in density of juvenile Atlantic salmon in fluvial shoreline habitats of a large subarctic river. J Fish Biol 59:555–568

    Google Scholar 

  • Nishikawa U, Nakano S (1998) Temporal variation in foraging group structure of a size-structured stream fish community. Environ Biol Fish 52:357–370

    Google Scholar 

  • Nomoto K, Omiya H, Sugimoto T, Akiba K, Edo K, Higashi S (2010) Potential negative impacts of introduced rainbow trout on endangered Sakhalin taimen through redd disturbance in an agricultural stream, eastern Hokkaido. Ecol Fresh Fish 19:116–126

    Google Scholar 

  • Palm D, Brännäs E, Nilsson K (2009) Predicting site-specific overwintering of juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta) using a habitat suitability index. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 66:540–546

    Google Scholar 

  • Rieman BE, Peterson JT, Myers DL (2006) Have brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) displaced bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) along longitudinal gradients in central Idaho stream? Can J Fish Aquat Sci 63:63–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Sato T, Nagoshi M, Mori S, Watanabe K, Kano Y (2006) Long-term population fluctuation and present status of Kirikuchi char (Salvelinus leucomaenis japonicus). Jpn J Conserv Ecol 11:13–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Taniguchi Y, Miyake Y, Saito T, Urabe H, Nakano S (2000) Redd superimposition by introduced rainbow trout, Oncorhyncus mykiss, on native charrs in a Japanese stream. Ichthyol Res 47:149–156

    Google Scholar 

  • Thurow RF (1997) Habitat utilization and diel behavior of juvenile bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) at the onset of winter. Ecol Fresh Fish 6:1–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Tsuboi J, Morita K, Matsuishi T (2002) Effects of catch-and-release angling on growth, survival and catchability of white-spotted charr Salvelinus leucomaenis in wild streams. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 68:180–185

  • Vøllestad LA, Olsen EM (2008) Non-additive effects of density-dependent and density-independent factors on brown trout vital rates. Oikos 117:1752–1760

    Google Scholar 

  • Watanabe K, Nakamura F, Kobayashi M, Yanai S, Yoneda T, Watanabe Y, Maruoka N, Kitaya H (2006) Winter habitat environment for juvenile masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) focusing on stream hierarchical structures—suggestions to river management in winter habitat environment. Ecol Civil Engineering 9:151–165

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank Mr. Konishi of Hokkaido Regional Forest Office for permission to enter a state forest, and Kazumasa Ohkuma and Yasutaka Okamoto for obtaining the sampling permit issued by the Governor of Hokkaido. We also thank Masa-aki Fukuwaka, Norio Yamashita, Kaoru Hattori, Haruhi Morita, Yuki Morita, and Jun-ichi Tsuboi for help with fieldwork. This work was supported by KAKENHI (no. 19780155).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hokkaido National Fisheries Research Institute, Fisheries Research Agency, Kushio, Hokkaido, 085-0802, Japan

    Kentaro Morita & Shoko H. Morita

  2. National Salmon Resources Center, Fisheries Research Agency, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 062-0922, Japan

    Toru Nagasawa

Authors
  1. Kentaro Morita
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Shoko H. Morita
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Toru Nagasawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kentaro Morita.

About this article

Cite this article

Morita, K., Morita, S.H. & Nagasawa, T. Seasonal changes in stream salmonid population densities in two tributaries of a boreal river in northern Japan. Ichthyol Res 58, 134–142 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-010-0201-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10228-010-0201-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation