Modeling the Size Spectrum for Macroinvertebrates and Fishes in Stream Ecosystems

Summary

This is a protocol to model the size spectrum (scaling relationship between individual mass and population density) for combined fish and invertebrate data from wadable streams and rivers. Methods include: field techniques to collect quantitative fish and invertebrate samples; lab methods to standardize the field data; and statistical data analysis.

Abstract

The size spectrum is an inverse, allometric scaling relationship between average body mass (M) and the density (D) of individuals within an ecological community or food web. Importantly, the size spectrum assumes that individual size, rather than species’ behavioral or life history characteristics, is the primary determinant of abundance within an ecosystem. Thus, unlike traditional allometric relationships that focus on species-level data (e.g., mean species’ body size vs. population density), size spectra analyses are ‘ataxic’ – individual specimens are identified only by their size, without consideration of taxonomic identity. Size spectra models are efficient representations of traditional, complex food webs and can be used in descriptive as well as predictive contexts (e.g., predicting responses of large consumers to changes in basal resources). Empirical studies from diverse aquatic ecosystems have also reported moderate to high levels of similarity in size spectra slopes, suggesting that common processes may regulate the abundances of small and large organisms in very different settings. This is a protocol to model the community-level size spectrum in wadable streams. The protocol consists of three main steps. First, collect quantitative benthic fish and invertebrate samples that can be used to estimate local densities. Second, standardize the fish and invertebrate data by converting all individuals to ataxic units (i.e., individuals identified by size, irrespective of taxonomic identity), and summing individuals within log₂ size bins. Third, use linear regression to model the relationship between ataxic M and D estimates. Detailed instructions are provided herein to complete each of these steps, including custom software to facilitate D estimation and size spectra modeling.

Introduction

Body size scaling relationships, such as the positive association between body mass and metabolic rate, are well-known at the individual organism level and are now being studied at higher levels of organization^1,2,3. These allometric relationships are most often power-law functions of the form Y = aM^b, where Y is the variable of interest (e.g., metabolism, abundance, or home range size), M is the body mass of a single or average individual, b is a scaling coefficient, and a is a constant. For statistica....

Protocol

All methods described here have been approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of Virginia Commonwealth University.

1. Collection and processing of fish samples

1. Isolating fishes within the study reach to create a closed fish assemblage
   1. Identify the upstream and downstream (direction is relative to a surveyor facing ‘upstream’ and against the water current) ends of the study reach then mark the ends with removable flagging tape.
      NOTE: The total length of the study reach is arbitrary but should be long enough to encompass a representative s....

Results

Exemplar results, including original field data, are presented for Slaunch Fork, West Virginia, a small stream in southern West Virginia. Additional size spectra model results are also presented for two other streams in the same region: Camp Creek and Cabin Creek, West Virginia. These are the three study sites included in McGarvey and Kirk¹⁷, but data presented here are from new samples collected in May 2015. A fully worked, manual example of the size spectra modeling process is included for the S.......

Discussion

This ataxic size spectra protocol can be used to quantify and model size structure within communities of stream fishes and invertebrates. Previous size spectra studies in stream ecosystems have ranged from basic descriptive research^39,40 to comparisons along a longitudinal river profile⁴¹ and among distinct biogeographic regions⁴². Seasonal comparisons have been performed^43,

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Chest waders	Multiple options	n/a	Personal protective equipment for use during electrofishing. Do NOT use 'breatheable' waders as electrical current will pass through them.
Rubber lineman's gloves	Multiple options	n/a	Personal protective equipment for use during electrofishing.
Dip nets with fiberglass poles	Multiple options	n/a	Used to capture stunned fishes during electrofishing.
Backpack electrofishing unit	Smith-Root; Halltech; Midwest Lake Management; Aqua Shock Solutions	www.smith-root.com; www.halltechaquatic.com; https://midwestlake.com; https://aquashocksolutions.com/	Backpack electrofishers are currently manufactured and distributed by four independent companies in North America. Prices and warranty/technical support are the most important factors in choosing a vendor.
Block nets/seines (×2)	Duluth Nets	https://duluthfishnets.com/	Necessary length will depend on stream width. 3/8 inch mesh is recommended.
Cam-action utility straps with 1 inch nylon webbing (×4)	Multiple options	n/a	Used to secure/anchor block nets. Available at auto supply, hardware, and department stores.
Large tent stakes (×4)	Multiple options	n/a	Used to secure/anchor block nets. Available at camping and department stores.
5 gallon plastic buckets (×5)	Multiple options	n/a	Used to hold and transport fish during electrofishing. Available at hardware and paint supply stores.
10-20 gallon totes (×3)	Multiple options	n/a	Used as livewells, sedation tanks, and recovery bins for captured fishes. Available at hardware and department stores.
Battery powered 'bait bucket' aeration pumps	Cabelas	IK-019008	Used to aerate fish holding bins during field processing.
Fish anesthesia (Tricaine-S)	Syndel	www.syndel.com	Used to sedate fishes for field processing. Tricaine-S is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Folding camp table and chairs	Cabelas	IK-518976; IK-552777	Used to process fish samples.
Pop-up canopy	Multiple options	n/a	Used as necessary for sun and rain protection.
Fish measuring board	Wildco	3-118-E40	Used to measure fish lengths.
Battery powered field scale with weighing dish	Multiple options	n/a	Used to weigh fishes. Must weigh be accurate to 0.1 or 0.01 grams.
Clear plastic wind/rain baffle	Multiple options	n/a	Used to shield scale in rainy or windy conditions. Must be large enough to cover the scale and a weighing dish.
White plastic or enamel examination trays	Multiple options	n/a	Trays are essential for examining fishes in the field.
Stainless steel forceps	Multiple options	n/a	Forceps are helpful when examining small fishes and in transfering invertebrates to specimen jars.
Hand magnifiers	Multiple options	n/a	Magnification is often helpful when identifying fish specimens in the field.
Fish identification keys	n/a	n/a	Laminated keys that are custom prepared for specific locations are most effective.
Datasheets printed on waterproof paper	Rite in the Rain	n/a	Waterproof paper is essential when working with aquatic specimens.
Retractable fiberglass field tapes	Lufkin	n/a	Used to measure stream channel dimensions.
Surber sampler or Hess sampler	Wildco	3-12-D56; 3-16-C52	Either of these fixed-area benthic samplers will work well in shallow streams with gravel or pebble substrate.
70% ethanol or isopropyl alcohol	Multiple options	n/a	Used as invertebrate preservative.
Widemouth invertebrate specimen jars (20-32 oz.)	U.S. Plastic Corp.	67712	Any widemouth plastic jars will work but these particular jars are durable and inexpensive.