Summary: | Abiotic and biotic differences between study sites above and below a northern Michigan dam were evaluated in order to understand the dam's potential impact on fish populations and diet. The dam altered habitat types, substrate, temperature, and invertebrate richness for both sites. The site above the dam was cooler, had a predominantly sand substrate, and greater invertebrate diversity. The site below the dam had warmer water and a rocky substrate, with less invertebrate richness. Both sites included large pools and chemical characteristics were similar. Below the dam we found greater numbers of Cottus cognatus and Salmo trutta as compared to the site above the dam. We discovered larger poulations of Salvelinus fontinalis above the dam, and fewer Cottus cognatus. The invertebrate diversity reflected difference in feeding for both the Cottidae and Salmonidae. The results of this study indicate that the impact of an impoundment on abiotic features in a river, contribute to differences in Cottidae and Salmonidae population and diet. http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/54829/1/3270.pdf Description of 3270.pdf : Access restricted to on-site users at the U-M Biological Station.
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