What are fallbacks in the context of salmon?5 answersFallbacks in the context of salmon refer to the downstream movement of adult salmonids after being transported or passing through obstacles like hydroelectric dams. This phenomenon can have detrimental effects on population productivity. Factors influencing fallback include fish characteristics like fork length, transport conditions, and environmental variables. Studies have shown that fallback rates can vary between dams, with higher rates observed at more complex fishways. Additionally, injuries, such as head injuries, can increase the likelihood of fallback in salmon. Telemetry studies have been crucial in documenting fallback behavior and its implications for salmon populations, aiding in the design of effective fish passage solutions and management strategies.
How does the construction of hydroelectric dams impact the ecosystem and wildlife?5 answersThe construction of hydroelectric dams significantly impacts ecosystems and wildlife. Dams alter river flow, sediment flux, water temperature, and habitat structure, leading to reduced biodiversity, habitat fragmentation, and blocked migration routes. Studies show that dam development reduces fish biodiversity, especially for migratory and threatened species, while increasing diversity in less regulated rivers. Dam construction in the Yangtze River has caused a decrease in reproduction suitability for major Chinese carps, leading to a shift in spawning grounds and a net loss of spawning areas with larger dams. Immediate effects of dam construction activities like blasting and quarrying cause severe disturbances to biodiversity, with long-term impacts on ecological integrity and environmental health. To mitigate these impacts, exploring new reservoir management strategies, banning fishing activities, and removing unnecessary dams are crucial for ecosystem restoration.
What is the minimum distance between salmon production sites in norway according the mattilsynet regulations?5 answersAccording to regulations by Mattilsynet, the minimum distance between salmon production sites in Norway is not explicitly mentioned in the provided contexts. However, the spatial distribution of salmon farming sites in Norway is influenced by various factors such as water quality, exposure to waves and currents, temperature regimes, and management regimes. The aquaculture industry in Norway has seen a trend of relocating salmon farming sites to more wave and current-exposed areas due to better water quality, despite the increased structural loads. The distribution planning for fish feed delivery to salmon farms is optimized to reduce travel distance and increase vessel fill-rate, leading to fuel savings and environmental benefits. The impact of temperature variations on productivity and the potential for license relocation between counties also play a role in the spatial distribution of salmon production sites in Norway.
What is the leading cause of mortality in smolt salmonid?4 answersThe leading cause of mortality in smolt salmonid is avian predation. Multiple studies have shown that during their initial riverine transitional phase, smolts are particularly vulnerable to avian predators, with avian predation accounting for a significant proportion of smolt mortality. Piscine predation events were also found to contribute to smolt mortality, although to a lesser extent. Additionally, there is evidence that tagging-induced mortality, both direct and indirect, can increase predation vulnerability and impact migration success. The specific species of avian predators and their locations can vary, with some studies highlighting the higher predation probabilities by American white pelicans and double-crested cormorants. Overall, avian predation is the primary cause of mortality in smolt salmonid, emphasizing the need for management actions to mitigate population declines.
How are landscape scale variables used to predict smolt densities of migrating fish?5 answersLandscape-scale variables are used to predict smolt densities of migrating fish by examining habitat characteristics at a larger spatial scale. Studies have shown that studying landscape-scale processes improves our understanding of what drives species assemblages and distribution patterns across the landscape. In the case of fish habitat requirements, landscape-scale variables such as presence in a major drainage basin, presence in a physiographic region, median watershed slope, level of watershed disturbance, and watershed-stream size have been used to predict fish habitat. These variables are used to create habitat profiles for fish species and predict their potential distribution across a watershed. The size and shape of habitat patches, as well as proximity to patch edges, have also been found to influence the density, diversity, and length frequency of fish assemblages. By considering these landscape-scale variables, fisheries managers can develop models to predict smolt abundance based on physiographic characteristics of watersheds.
How does low discharge affect the ability of fish to pass through the weir?5 answersLow discharge has been found to affect the ability of fish to pass through the weir. Fish movements and successful upstream passages were generally increased with the addition of substrates to the ramp, compared to a smooth bottom. Fish passage performance was enhanced by enabling faster negotiations with the Nature design. However, increasing discharge resulted in reductions in fish movements. The passage performance of fish was influenced by both ramp length and slope, with attraction efficiency increasing with increasing length and slope. The number of successful passages and passage efficiency decreased with increasing ramp length. It was also found that both the number of successful passages and passage efficiency peaked at an intermediate slope level. These findings suggest that low discharge can have a negative impact on fish passage through the weir, and that both ramp length and slope play a role in fish passage performance.