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Spatially explicit measures of production of young alewives in Lake Michigan: Linkage between essential fish habitat and recruitment

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Abstract

The identification and protection of essential habitats for early life stages of fishes are necessary to sustain fish stocks. Essential fish habitat for early life stages may be defined as areas where fish densities, growth, survival, or production rates are relatively high. To identify critical habitats for young-of-year (YOY) alewives (Alosa pseud oharengus) in Lake Michigan, we integrated bioenergetics models with GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to generate spatially explicit estimates of potential population production (an index of habitat quality). These estimates were based upon YOY alewife bioenergetic growth rate potential and their salmonine predators’ consumptive demand. We compared estimates of potential population production to YOY alewife yield (an index of habitat importance). Our analysis suggested that during 1994–1995, YOY alewife habitat quality and yield varied widely throughout Lake Michigan. Spatial patterns of alewife yield were not significantly correlated to habitat quality. Various mechanisms (e.g., predator migrations, lake circulation patterns, alternative strategies) may preclude YOY alewives from concentrating in areas of high habitat quality in Lake Michigan.

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Author notes

  1. Timothy J. DeSorcie

    Present address: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-National Marine Fisheries Service, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, 98112, Seattle, Washington

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Fisheries Research, University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment, 212 Museums Annex Building, 48109, Ann Arbor, Michigan

    Tomas O. Höök, Edward S. Rutherford & Shannon J. Brines

  2. Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2205 Commonwealth Boulevard, 48105, Ann Arbor, Michigan

    Doran M. Mason, David J. Schwab & Michael J. McCormick

  3. Great Lakes Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey-Biological Resources Division, 48105, Ann Arbor, Michigan

    Timothy J. DeSorcie

Authors
  1. Tomas O. Höök
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  2. Edward S. Rutherford
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  3. Shannon J. Brines
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  4. Doran M. Mason
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  7. Timothy J. DeSorcie
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Correspondence to Tomas O. Höök.

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Höök, T.O., Rutherford, E.S., Brines, S.J. et al. Spatially explicit measures of production of young alewives in Lake Michigan: Linkage between essential fish habitat and recruitment. Estuaries 26, 21–29 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02691690

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