Modelling fine scale route choice of upstream migrating fish as they approach an instream structure

Kerr, J.R.; Tummers, J.S.; Benson, T.; Lucas, M.C.; Kemp, P.S.

Abstract

This study used pattern-oriented modelling (POM) to investigate the space use and behavioural response of upstream migrating European river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) to the two-dimensional hydrodynamic conditions created by an instream structure (triangular profile gauging weir). Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) and acoustic telemetry were used to map the spatial-temporal distribution patterns of lamprey as they migrated upstream. Acoustic Doppler velocimetry and computer modelling were used to quantify the hydrodynamic environment. In adherence with the POM methodology, multiple movement models, incorporating increasingly complex environmental feedback mechanisms and behavioural rules were created and systematically assessed to identify which factors might reproduce the observed patterns. The best model was a spatially explicit Eulerian-Lagrangian Individual Based Model (IBM) that included two simple behaviours: 1) tortuous non-directed swimming when in low flow velocity (< 0.1 m s−1) and 2) persistent directed (against the flow) swimming in moderate to high flow velocity (≥ 0.1 m s−1). The POM indicated that flow heterogeneity was an important influence of lamprey space use and that simple behavioural rules (i.e. two separate movement behaviours in response to flow velocity) were sufficient to reproduce the main movement pattern observed: avoidance of flow recirculating regions near the banks. The combination of field telemetry, hydrodynamic modelling and POM provided a useful framework for systematically identifying the key factors (hydrodynamic and behavioural) that governed the space use of the target species and would likely work well for investigating similar relationships in other aquatic species.

Citation

Kerr, J., Tummers, J., Benson, T., Lucas, M., & Kemp, P. (2023). Modelling fine scale route choice of upstream migrating fish as they approach an instream structure. Ecological Modelling, 478, Article 110210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2022.110210

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 4, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Jan 23, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Deposit Date: Jan 27, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 27, 2023
• Journal: Ecological Modelling
• Print ISSN: 0304-3800
• Electronic ISSN: 1872-7026
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 478
• Article Number: 110210
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2022.110210
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1182354