Will Green

Aquatic Ecology ENVS 330

Dr. Susan S. Kilham
Critique of: Challenging convention: the winter ecology of brown trout (Salmo trutta) in a
productive and stable environment
Research on winter salmonids is often conducted in northern temperate and boreal regions.
These regions are dominated with hard rock geology, contain low nutrients, and are influenced
by ice. The study on which this paper was written conversely examines salmon behavior in a
stable groundwater-fed, productive, and comparatively warm southern English chalk stream.
Behavior of the fish were examined in this context. The trout density, daily activity patterns were
recorded as well as the growth of individuals.
The distribution, movement and activity of fish were recorded at coarse and meso-scale
resolution using a combination of electric fishing, mark recapture and telemetry surveys.
The study was done on the River Lambourn. A 500 m section was chosen to be studied. Salmo
trutta of brown trout were studied. The stretch of river was mapped and characterized relating
several physical characteristics. Temperature was logged hourly throughout the study. One
sensor every 20 meters.

Map of river section with physical characteristics

Electric fishing was used to capture fish for data collection, the fish length and weight were
measured and scanned to detect identity tags so individuals could be monitored. Electric fishing
data was also used to calculate the trout density of a area.
This data was used to characterize the behavior of the trout throughout two complete winters.
The data showed that the trout preferred deeper water, as the depth of water was strongly
correlated to trout density.
 Trout Density vs. Water Depth

Individuals typically had one of three movement patterns. Most commonly an individual stayed about a
single area. Less commonly an individual would spend time in a couple of area moving between them.
Even less commonly some trout showed no specific preference for a single location but moved about
seemingly randomly.

Fish movement patterns

Fish growth was also monitored. While the fish growth was still optimal during the winter, it was still
positive.

Growth of Trout vs. Optimal Growth rate

My critique

This paper presented a lot of information and left me with a good idea of how Salmonid populations
vary by region. In the beginning to the article it lays out the differences of the English river to the typical
salmon habitat. This was good and emphasized the contrast the title suggested. What was missing was a
follow up on how the regional differences create behavioral and physiological changes. The authors did
briefly brush upon how the saw differences, but for an article claiming to challenge convention the
argument for why this is a drastic departure from the norm should have been better highlighted.

This article challenged me because it was an in-depth and comprehensive study of fish behavior. While I
think, I learned a lot about fish behavior and the methods in which this research is done. I think
someone with a more suitable background would likely be able to get more form this article.