Assessing the freshwater distribution of yellow eel

• Published in: Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems
• Main Authors: Lasne, Emilien, Laffaille, Pascal
• Other Authors: Biodiversité fonctionnelle et gestion des territoires, Université de Rennes (UR), Écologie et santé des écosystèmes (ESE), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-AGROCAMPUS OUEST
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2009
• Subjects: Population management; Logistic model; Size classes; Colonization; Anguilla anguilla; [SDV.EE]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Ecology; environment; [SDV.EE.ECO]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Ecology; environment/Ecosystems; European eel
• Online Access: https://hal.science/hal-00744162; https://hal.science/hal-00744162/document; https://hal.science/hal-00744162/file/lasne_6213.pdf; https://doi.org/10.1051/kmae/2009004

Sp. Iss. SI04 International audience In the global context of the decline in wild species, modeling the distribution of populations is a crucial aspect of ecological management. This can be a major challenge, especially for species, such as the European eel, that have complex life cycles, exhibit cryptic behavior, or migrate over long distances. A review of the literature suggests that eel size data could be used to assess and analyze freshwater distribution of eel. We argue that analyses based on small yellow eels (≤ 300 mm) along the longitudinal course of rivers could provide a valuable tool for population monitoring. We propose a standardized catchment recruitment index and a colonization index based on the probability of occurrence (presence/absence data) using logistic models for different size classes. The model developed here provides a convenient guide for assessing yellow eel stages in freshwater areas, and should have concrete applications for management of the species.