Abstract
The accuracy of two trout biomass (standing stock) prediction models, developed for Wyoming streams by Binns & Eiserman (1979), was evaluated for New Mexico streams inhabited by brown trout, Salmo trutta L. and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum. Thirty-two representative sites in 15 different streams were sampled under summer low-flow conditions in 1988 and 1989. The 11 phyiscal, chemical, and biological variables used in original models were used as independent variables for simple and multiple regression analysis designed to predict total trout biomass. Model I of Binns and Eiserman proved to be of limited utility; it explained 53% of the variation in total trout biomass at each of the New Mexico sites (kg ha−1 = 8.916 + 0.830/Model U). Only 9.5% of the biomass variations was explained by Model II. Statistical analysis showed that trout biomass was significantly correlated with nitrate-nitrogen concentration and macroinvertebrate diversity in Model I. Because both variates are time consuming to estimate, Model I may not be any more cost-effective than sampling trout directly. The low predictive power of Model II probably indicates that it is limited to the geographical area of field measurement origin.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Annear, T. C. & A. L. Conder, 1983. Evaluation of instream flow methods for use in Wyoming. U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Cheyenne. Report YA-512-CT92–26, 248 pp.
American Public Health Association, 1976. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 14th edn. APHA, Washington D.C., 1193 pp.
Binns, N. A., 1979. A Habitat quality index for Wyoming trout streams. Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Cheyenne. Fishery Research Report 2, 75 pp.
Binns, N. A. & F. M. Eiserman, 1979. Quantification of fluvial trout habitat in Wyoming. Trans. am. Fish. Soc. 108: 215–228.
Bowlby, J. N. & J. C. Roff, 1986. Trout biomass and habitat relationships in southern Ontario streams. Trans. am. Fish. Soc. 115: 503–514.
Brower, J. E. & J. H. Zar, 1984. Field and Laboratory Methods for General Ecology. Wm. C. Brown Publishers, Dubuque, Iowa: 12–13.
Burns, J. W., 1971. The carrying capacity for juvenile salmonids in some northern California streams. Calif. Fish. Game 57: 44–57.
Edmunds, G. F., S. L. Jensen & L. Bergner, 1976. The mayflies of North and Central America. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, 330 pp.
Elliott, A. C., 1988. Kwikstat-Data analysis for IBM PC and compatible computers. Cedar Hill, Texas.
Hamilton, A. L., 1969. On estimating annual production. Limnol. Oceanogr. 14: 771–782.
Hawley, J. W., 1986. Physiographic Provinces. In J. L. Williams (ed.), New Mexico in Maps. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque: 7–45.
Hynes, H. B. N. & M. J. Coleman, 1968. A simple method of assessing the annual production of stream benthos. Limnol. Oceanogr. 13: 569–573.
Lamberti, G. A. & V. H. Resh, 1983. Stream periphyton and insect herbivores: an experimental study of grazing by a caddisfly population. Ecology 64: 1124–1135.
Leiner, S., 1990. Energy flow in light of the river continuum concept. Ichthyos 9: 14–27.
Leiner, S., 1992. Brown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Population metrics and biomass prediction models in New Mexico Streams. New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, Dissertation, 132 pp.
Ludwig, J. A. & J. F. Reynolds, 1988. Statistical Ecology. J. Wiley & Sons, New York, 339 pp.
Mason, R. J. & M. T. Mattson, 1990. Atlas of United States Environmental Issues. McMillan Publishing Co., New York, 328 pp.
McHenry, M. L., 1986. A test of the Habitat Quality Index in forested headwater streams of the Gila National Forest, New Mexico. In W. S. Platts & M. L. McHenry (1988), Density and Biomass of Trout and Char in Western Streams. Intermountain Research Station, Ogden. General Technical Report INT-241: 1–17.
Merritt, R. W. & K. W. Cummins (eds), 1978. An Introduction to the Aquatic Insects of North America. Kendell-Hunt Publishing Co., Dubuque, 441 pp.
Neter, J., W. Wasserman & M. H. Kutner, 1989. Applied Regression Models. Irwin, Homewood: 241–242.
Platts, W. S., W. F. Megahan & G. W. Minshall, 1983. Methods for evaluating stream, riparian, and biotic conditions. Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden. General Technical Report INT-138: 1–71.
Scarnecchia, D. L. & E. P. Bergersen, 1987. Trout production and standing stock in Colorado's small streams, as related to environmental features. N. Am. J. Fish. Mgmt. 7: 315–330.
Snedecor, G. W. & W. G. Cochran, 1967. Statistical Methods. The Iowa State University Press, Iowa, 593 pp.
Solomon, J. D.& D. Paterson, 1980. Influence of natural and regulated stream flow on survival of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) in a chalkstream. Envir. Biol. Fishes 5: 379–382.
Vannote, R. L., G. W. Minshall, K. W. Cummins, J. R. Sedell & C. E. Cushing, 1980. The river continuum concept. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 37: 130–137.
Walls, M., I. Kortelainen & J. Sarvala, 1990. Prey responses to fish predation in freshwater community. Ann. zool. fenn. 27: 183–199.
White, J. R., 1973. Stream channel suitability for coldwater fish. Proceedings, 28th Annual Meeting of Soil Conservation Society of America, Hot Springs, Arkansas: 61–79.
White, J. R., J. D. Wells & M. E. Peterson, 1983. Effects of urbanization on physical habitat for trout in streams. Montana Water Resources Research Center, Montana State University, Bozeman. Research Report A-134-MONT: 41 pp.
Zippin, C., 1958. The removal method of population estimation. J. Wildl. Manage. 22: 82–90.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Leiner, S. The habitat quality index applied to New Mexico streams. Hydrobiologia 319, 237–249 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00013736
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00013736