A 15-year Study of the Spatial Distribution of Rutilus rutilus and Perca fluviatilis in Late Summer in Two Shallow Lakes With Contrasting Trophic State

Authors : Zeynep Pekcan Hekım, Torben Lauridsen, Martin Søndergaard, Liselotte Johansson, Tserenpil Shurkhuu, Erik Jeppesen

Pages : 185-197

Doi:10.17216/limnofish.893563

View : 321 | Download : 1627

Publication Date : 2021-12-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Roach (Rutilus rutilus) and perch (Perca fluviatilis) are dominant species in northern-temperate lakes of Europe, their relative importance depending on trophic state and habitat complexity. We studied the habitat distribution of roach and perch over a 15-year period in two Danish lakes, Lake Væng, undergoing major changes in water clarity and macrophyte coverage, and the permanent turbid Lake Søbygård. We used multi-mesh sized gill nets in 5-6 different sections of the lakes following the same program in all years. Both species were evenly distributed in the sections and among habitats, in Lake Væng during the turbid period and in Lake Søbygård during the whole study period. During the clear-water period in Lake Væng, however, the distribution of roach and perch was uneven and the density negatively correlated with macrophyte coverage and density, but the strength of the relationship differed between the two species and between small (≤ 8 cm for roach and <10 cm for perch) and larger fish. Our results suggest that water clarity and macrophyte density were of key importance in determining roach and perch distribution in these two shallow lakes.
Keywords : Kızılgöz balığı, tatlısu levreği, habitat dağılımı, bulanıklık (türbidite), ötrofikasyon

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