Can aspects of the discharge regime associated with juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) and trout (S. trutta L.) densities be identified using historical monitoring data from five UK rivers?

Abstract

Understanding salmonid discharge requirements can help inform management to conserve wild populations in a changing climate. This study developed Bayesian hierarchical mixed-effects models relating 0+ Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) and trout (Salmo trutta L.) densities to different aspects of river discharge. Associations between these densities and nine hydrological variables representing the magnitude, frequency and duration of discharge events were evaluated using historical monitoring data from 36 sites on five rivers in England and Wales. All hydrological variables had weak associations with 0+ salmonid densities. More frequent high discharges between spawning and emergence were positively and negatively associated with 0+ salmon and trout densities, respectively. High discharges might increase spawning site availability for salmon and decrease egg-to-fry survival for trout. However, overall, only equivocal evidence was found regarding which discharge aspects affect juvenile salmonid densities. Therefore, a strategic review of juvenile salmonid monitoring programmes integrating environmental data collection is recommended.