Date of Award
Fall 12-16-2017
Semester of Degree
December
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
M.S. in Environmental and Forest Biology
Department
Environmental and Forest Biology
Steering Committee Member
John Farrell
Steering Committee Member
Kimberly Schulz, James McKenna
Steering Committee Member
John Stella, Robin Hoffman
Abstract
We explored several aspects of the northern pike larval period including the abiotic and biotic dynamics of spring nursery marshes, prey selection in two common nursery habitats, and physical conditions, diet, and survival rates in enhanced wetlands. These findings highlight the importance of physical conditions of nursery marshes on the development of eggs and larvae and production of abundant zooplankton prey. In laboratory experiments, larvae displayed greater prey selection for zooplankton originating in flooded wetlands than nearshore bays. A greater proportion of large cladocerans were selected by larvae given a wetland assemblage. In a mark and recapture study, larval pike survival rates were higher in enhancement sites when compared with those in existing sites, possibly due to more suitable environmental conditions. This research on pike ecology in coastal wetlands may help managers and researchers to better understand larval requirements and devise effective solutions to environmental problems affecting their recruitment.
Recommended Citation
Augustyn, Ericka, "Larval Northern Pike (Esox lucius) Ecology in Natural and Restored Coastal Wetlands of the Upper St. Lawrence River" (2017). Dissertations and Theses. 4.
https://digitalcommons.esf.edu/etds/4