University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Effects of Avian Predators on Stream Fish Assemblages

Steinmetz, Jeff

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Description

Title
Effects of Avian Predators on Stream Fish Assemblages
Author(s)
Steinmetz, Jeff
Issue Date
2003
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
  • Steven L. Kohler
  • Daniel A. Soluk
Department of Study
Biology
Discipline
Biology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Language
eng
Abstract
The first chapter provides background material. The second chapter focuses on foraging behavior of kingfishers and great blue herons, and shows that netting and perches can be used to successfully manipulate avian predation pressure. The third chapter uses this technique to examine what effects kingfishers and wading birds are having on stream fish assemblages, and shows that there are effects are on two of the most abundant minnow species, striped shiners and central stonerollers. The fourth chapter documents how facilitation occurs between avian and aquatic predators, resulting in more prey being consumed when both predators are together than expected based upon the number of prey each prey consumes in isolation. The last chapter shows that both birds and bass produce non-lethal effects on prey habitat use, movement rates, and foraging activity. Taken together, this work shows that avian predators play an important role in affecting fish populations in aquatic systems.
Graduation Semester
2003
Type of Resource
text
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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/85348

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