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Stable isotopes in fish as indicators of habitat use
Citation:
CHURCH, M., J. L. EBERSOLE, B. Miller, AND P. J. WIGINGTON JR. Stable isotopes in fish as indicators of habitat use. Presented at Isotope hydrology and biogeochemistry workshop, Corvallis, OR, June 09, 2009.
Impact/Purpose:
In our isotopic studies of fish in Oregon Coast Range streams we have found stable isotopes of carbon, oxygen and sulfur to be surprisingly useful in identifying and discriminating specific habitat or tributary use by a variety of fish species.
Description:
In our isotopic studies of fish in Oregon Coast Range streams we have found stable isotopes of carbon, oxygen and sulfur to be surprisingly useful in identifying and discriminating specific habitat or tributary use by a variety of fish species. Stable isotopes of carbon can be useful in discriminating between upstream (or cooler) and downstream (or warmer) sites used by fish. Sulfur isotopes can discriminate between use of sites with fine grained sediments and more chemically reducing condition (e.g., beaver ponds) versus more free flowing sites. Isotopes of oxygen show a remarkably rapid incorporation into fish tissues and may prove to be very useful in identifying fish that have moved between sites of different evaporative conditions (e.g., between intermittent and perennial streams). The analysis of these stable isotopes either alone or as a suite of analyses may serve as a novel and powerful tool to identifying fish habitat use and switching.