Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory

30 Jun, 05 PM - 29 Jun, 05 PM

All of the field research associated with this project is conducted in Yosemite National Park. Non-native fishes have been widely introduced into naturally fishless lakes in montane regions throughout the western United States to create recreational fisheries. Although this practice has long been viewed as a purely beneficial activity, recent ecological studies indicate that these introductions have resulted in dramatic alterations of aquatic communities as a result of predation by introduced fishes. In California’s Sierra Nevada, amphibians and large, conspicuous invertebrates have been eliminated from much of their historic range by the introduction of non-native trout species, and as a result, it is likely that one or more of these native species will soon be listed under the Endangered Species Act. In response, land management agencies are increasingly interested in restoring some aquatic habitats by returning them to their natural fishless condition. In Yosemite National Park, where all lentic habitats were naturally fishless, non-native fish are now present in approximately 40% of larger lakes. The effects of these introduced fishes have not been studied in detail, and the current distribution of native and non-native aquatic species remains poorly described. The goal of this study is to survey all lentic water bodies in the Park for fish, amphibians, benthic macroinvertebrates, and zooplankton and to characterize the physical habitats of these water bodies. These data will be used to (1) describe the distribution of introduced trout and native aquatic fauna in lakes and ponds of Yosemite National Park, (2) describe the effects of introduced trout on native amphibians, reptiles, zooplankton, and benthic macroinvertebrates, and (3) evaluate the ability of lake fauna to recover after fish disappearance. This study will provide important baseline information that will be critical in the design of future management strategies aimed at restoring aquatic ecosystems in Yosemite National Park.

Visit #1000 @Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory

Approved

Under Project # 861 | Research

Yosemite Lakes Survey

research_scientist - University of California, Santa Barbara

Reservation Members(s)

Roland Knapp Jun 30, 2003 - Jun 29, 2004 (366 days)
Roland Knapp Jun 30, 2003 - Jun 29, 2004 (366 days)

Reserve Resources(s) | Create Invoice

Lab 2 2 Jun 30, 2003 - Jun 29, 2004