Document Type
Article
Abstract
Amphipod occurrence and abundance has declined in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR). Wildlife managers have stocked prairie pothole wetlands with Gammarus lacustris since 2018 to establish self-sustaining populations. G. lacustris have been detected in only 2 of 22 stocked basins, suggesting that they have died or failed to reproduce in most stocking attempts. Aquatic plant surveys were conducted in stocked wetlands and compared to data from surveys of wetlands with naturally occurring populations to understand if G. lacustris would be expected to survive in stocked wetlands based on characteristics of the aquatic vegetation communities. SAV coverage was significantly higher in stocked basins (P = 0.03) and is likely positively correlated with G. lacustris. Floating biomass (P < 0.01) and floating coverage (P < 0.01) were significantly higher in stocked basins. Floating species were only found in 5% of natural wetlands and 33% of stocked wetlands. Communities were similar apart from a few species including Lemna trisulca which is known to have a positive relationship with G. lacustris abundance. These preliminary results suggest that aquatic plant communities may be correlated with lack of G. lacustris establishment in some stockings, but not most.
Publication Date
2021
Recommended Citation
Taylor, Alaina, "Is There a Relationship Between Aquatic Vegetation and Amphipod Stocking Mortality?" (2021). Journal of Earth and Life Science. 10.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/j-earth-life-sci/10
Included in
Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons, Biodiversity Commons, Biology Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Laboratory and Basic Science Research Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons, Water Resource Management Commons
Comments
Faculty Sponsors: Dr. Megan Fitzpatrick (MNDNR) and Dr. Andrew W. Hafs (BSU)