Examining the effect of geomorphic characteristics on pool temperatures for native fish habitat management in mountainous stream networks

摘要: Stream temperature is a critical habitat parameter for cold-water fish, many species of which now exist in geographically fragmented populations within the western United States. To assist managers identifying thermally suitable fish habitat, we used data from 31 pools on streams White River National Forest Colorado, USA to create multiple regression models predict summer pool metrics related lethal and sublethal thermal tolerances fish. We modeled 7-day mean daily maximum warmest 7 days month, using air several geomorphic parameters. The strongest predictor variables these were drainage area, discharge, residual volume. Most previous studies found be variable temperature, but mountain this study, stream flow volume morphology had better predictive power. models, created tested against field data, able explain 66% 51% variability monthly temperatures, respectively, prediction errors less than 2°C. reach-scale approach developed here, includes geomorphically relevant predictors should applicable other mountainous river networks. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.