Response of juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to the addition of salmon carcasses to two streams in southwestern Washington, U.S.A.

Abstract

Availability of organic matter and nutrients transported from the marine environment to streams by spawning salmon was increased in two small streams in southwestern Washington, U.S.A., by adding salmon carcasses from a nearby hatchery. Response of juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) rearing at these sites was compared with nearby streams where few salmon spawned. Densities of age 0+ coho salmon and age 0+ and age 1+ steelhead increased following carcass additions to the treated streams. A similar increase in density was not observed at the reference sites. Condition factors in treated streams increased following carcass addition and remained at high levels while carcasses were present whereas no similar pattern was observed at the reference sites. Stomach contents of fish in streams to which carcasses had been added consisted primarily of salmon eggs and carcass flesh when carcasses were present in the stream. Stable isotope analysis indicated that the proportion of marine-derived nitrogen in the muscle tissue of juvenile salmonids increased as much as 39% following carcass placement. Results suggest that eggs and carcasses of adult salmon provide a very important resource during a period when other food items are often scarce.