Effects of Castor canadensis beaver ponds removal on fish diversity, abundance, diet andenergetic density
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25260/EA.24.34.2.0.2358Keywords:
salmonids, Castor canadensis, alien species, fish diversity, Patagonia, Tierra del FuegoAbstract
Since the last century, the aquatic ecosystems of Tierra del Fuego have been impacted by the introduction of exotic species, among which the North American beaver Castor canadensis and salmonids stand out for their dispersion and abundance. This study is part of the project Strengthening Governance for the Protection of Biodiversity Through the Formulation and Implementation of the National Strategy on Invasive Alien Species, for the eradication of C. canadensis from the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego (IGTdF). This work aimed to evaluate the effect of beaver plantation removal on different aspects of the ichthyofauna of the IGTdF. Ichthyological sampling was carried out before and after the beaver ponds in six sites spread across the island. Three species of salmonids (Salmo trutta, Oncorhynchus mykiss and Salvelinus fontinalis) were captured, and an average increase of 43% in their abundance, changes in their diet, and differences in their energy density (higher or lower depending on the species) was observed after the removal of the beaver ponds. No native fish species were recorded before or after the removal of the beaver pond. The results suggest that the beaver ponds impact positively salmonid populations.
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