Burbot resource selection in small streams near the southern extent of the species range

Abstract

Abstract – Burbot Lota lota are of global conservation concern particularly near the southern extent of the species range. Populations in small streams lack quantitative descriptions of resource selection. Microhabitat and reach‐scale habitat were surveyed at occupied and unoccupied locations. Data were analyzed with logistic regression to develop resource selection function models which predicted the probability of occurrence and abundance categories for microhabitat and reach‐scale habitat, respectively. Information‐theoretic model selection methods were used in an exploratory context, and four competing models were multi‐model averaged to create a microhabitat resource selection function. The sum of Akaike’s Information Criterion weights across the four competing models indicated that substrate type, substrate embeddedness, and depth were equally the most important microhabitat explanatory variables. At the reach scale, high correlation among explanatory variables precluded multivariate model development. Stream‐reach gradient was the most supported univariate model. Three additional models competed as important; mean summer temperature, sinuosity, and dominant substrate type. The created resource selection functions can be used in ranking potential translocation sites, used in instream flow assessments, and provide habitat selection information that can provide context for habitat management decisions.