The role of density-dependent and -independent processes in spawning habitat selection by salmon in an Arctic riverscape.

ABSTRACT: Density-dependent (DD) and density-independent (DI) habitat selection is strongly linked to a species' evolutionary history. Determining the relative importance of each is necessary because declining populations are not always the result of altered DI mechanisms but can often be the result of DD via a reduced carrying capacity. We developed spatially and temporally explicit models throughout the Chena River, Alaska to predict important DI mechanisms that influence Chinook salmon spawning success. We used resource-selection functions to predict suitable spawning habitat based on geomorphic characteristics, a semi-distributed water-and-energy balance hydrologic model to generate stream flow metrics, and modeled stream temperature as a function of climatic variables. Spawner counts were predi

SUBMITTER: Huntsman BM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5439693 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature