Dataset

Database Code

AS014

Title

Drought experiment on aquatic vertebrate populations in McRae Creek, HJ Andrews Experimental Forest, 2022

Abstract

Three distinct reaches in McRae Creek west tributary (MCTW) within the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest in western Oregon were designated for manipulation and data collection. Manipulations included increasing the temperature (T), reducing streamflow (Q), and a reference (R reach). Population estimates of vertebrates, specifically Coastal Cutthroat Trout and Coastal Giant Salamander, were obtained using three-pass depletion methods in each reach. A Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) design was implemented, distinguishing between the "Before" and "After" periods. "Before" surveys were conducted from July 18th to 20th, 2022, while "After" surveys occurred from September 8th to 9th, 2022. During the surveys, each species was identified, noting life stage, and relevant measurements were taken. For trout, these included the length from the snout to the tail fork (Length_Fork_Vent), the snout to the tail (Length_Tail), and weight. In the "Before" survey, all trout were tagged with elastomer tags: red for the T reach, yellow for the Q reach, and orange for the R reach. Trout larger than 80 mm also received PIT tags in their abdominal cavities. Salamanders were measured similarly, not elastomer or PIT tags were applied. During the "After" survey, no new elastomer or PIT tags were inserted; only previously tagged fish were recorded. Additionally, stream cross-sections were surveyed every 5 meters to document stream dimensions. Recorded data included the location, reach, sample date, BACI status, and distance downstream from the upstream cross-section (0 meters). Measurements at each cross-section included wetted width, bankfull width, and depths at five evenly spaced points. Furthermore, pools were identified and measured in each reach, noting the maximum pool depth, depth at the outflow, width, and length. Temperature sensors were installed in each reach, recording stream temperature every 15 minutes. Sensor locations were recorded as the distance downstream from the top of each reach.

Keywords

stream ecology; droughts; community composition; streams; salamanders; trout

Date begin

2022-07-18

Date end

2022-10-19

Principal Investigator

Dana Richard Warren Catalina Segura

Entities

1. Vertebrate numbers and size
2. Cross-section measurements
3. Pool measurements
4. Stream temperature

1. Vertebrate numbers and size - Attribute list

2. Cross-section measurements - Attribute list

3. Pool measurements - Attribute list

4. Stream temperature - Attribute list

Attribute definitions

BACI

Sample timing to indicate whether it is the before or after survey in the BACI

BANKFUL_WIDTH

Measurement of the stream width across the channel area that is wetted during bankful flow conditions; maximum width

DATE

Date sampled

DATETIME

Date and time (PST) of probe reading

DBCODE

FSDB Database Code

DEPTH_1

When looking upstream from the cross section, depth 1 represents the depth at 0 meters from the left bank

DEPTH_2

When looking upstream from the cross section, depth 2 represents the depth 25% of the channel width from the left bank

DEPTH_3

When looking upstream from the cross section, depth 3 represents the depth 50% of the channel width from the left bank

DEPTH_4

When looking upstream from the cross section, depth 4 represents the depth 75% of the channel width from the left bank

DEPTH_5

When looking upstream from the cross section, depth 5 represents the depth at the right bank

ELASTOMER_COLOR

Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) Tag colors (red, yellow, or orange)

ENTITY

Entity number

LENGTH_FORK_VENT

Measurement from the tip of the snout to the fork of tail (trout) or middle of vent (salamander)

LENGTH_TAIL

Measurement from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail

LIFESTAGE

Life stage of species sampled

MAX_POOL_DEPTH

Maximum depth within the identified pool

PASS

Electoshocking pass number

POOL_LENGTH

Length of the pool parallel to the flow of the water

POOL_NUM

Pool number sampled starting upstream and moving downstream

POOL_OUTFLOW

Depth at the outflow (downstream) section of the pool

POOL_WIDTH

Width of the pool perpendicular to the flow of the water

POSITION

Distance downstream from the top of the reach

REACH

Reach sampled

SAMPLEDATE

Date sampled

SPECIES

Vertebrate species sampled

STREAM

Stream name

STREAM_TEMP

Stream temperature

TAG

PIT tag number installed during the "Before" survey or recaptured during the "After" survey

VERT_INDEX

Unique numerical index of vertebrates measured (for creating key field)

WEIGHT

Weight of individual organism

WETTED_WIDTH

Measurement of the stream width across the channel area that is wetted

Enumerated domains

Enumerated domain for attribute: DBCODE

Enumerated domain for attribute: STREAM

Enumerated domain for attribute: REACH

Enumerated domain for attribute: BACI

Enumerated domain for attribute: SPECIES

Enumerated domain for attribute: LIFESTAGE

Enumerated domain for attribute: ELASTOMER_COLOR