Difference between revisions of "Steelhead"

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An [[Summaries of Environmental Topics on the Central Coast of California|environmental summary]] created by the [[ENVS 560/L Watershed Systems]] class at [[CSUMB]].
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===Classification===
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[[File:Steelhead.jpg|thumb|270px|right|Steelhead: ''Oncorhynchus mykiss''
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<ref>NOAA fisheries http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/stories/2014/14_stearns_dam_removal.html</ref>]]
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{|style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto;"style= width="25%"
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|Kingdom ||Animalia
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|-
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|Phylum ||Chordata
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|-
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|Class ||Actinopterygii
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|-
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|Order ||Salmoniformes
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|-
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|Family ||Salmonidae
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|-
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|Genus ||''Oncorhynchus''
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|-
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|Species ||''mykiss''
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|}
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==Steelhead Life History==
 
==Steelhead Life History==
  
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<ref name="UCDavis">[http://sns.ucdavis.edu/index.php/salmon_and_steelhead_life UC Davis Salmon and Steelhead life history]</ref>]]
 
<ref name="UCDavis">[http://sns.ucdavis.edu/index.php/salmon_and_steelhead_life UC Davis Salmon and Steelhead life history]</ref>]]
  
Steelhead (''Oncorhynchus mykiss'') in the Monterey Bay Region are listed as "Threatened"  under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and occupy many rivers and streams flowing into the Monterey Bay. ''O. mykiss'' are distinct among salmonid species because the are both facultativly anadromous and iteroparous. Anadromous fish are those that spend most of their life in the ocean and spawn in freshwater. Iteroparous fish are that can reproduce multiple times in their life. ''O. mykiss'' also have populations which reside in freshwater and are called rainbow trout. <ref name="Satt"> Satterthwaite WH, Beaks MP, Collins EM, Swank DR, Merz JE, Titus RG, Sogard SM, Mangel M. 2009.  Steelhead life history on California's Central Coast: insights from a state-dependent model.  Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 138:532-548. </ref>. The photo to the right represents the life cycle of salmon and steelhead.
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Steelhead (''Oncorhynchus mykiss'') is the name for [[Anadromous Fishes of California's Central Coast Region | anadromous]] rainbow trout. Generally, anadromous fish spend the majority of their lives in the ocean and spawn in fresh water, but mature steelhead have been observed to remain in freshwater environments for multiple seasons. Steelhead are distinct among Pacific salmonid species because they are both anadromous and [[iteroparous]]. Iteroparous fish are capable of reproducing multiple times over the course of their lifespans.
  
==Critical Habitat==
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Steelhead exhibit a wide range of life histories and development is dependent on the local environment <ref name="Satt"> Satterthwaite WH, Beaks MP, Collins EM, Swank DR, Merz JE, Titus RG, Sogard SM, Mangel M. 2009.  Steelhead life history on California's Central Coast: insights from a state-dependent model. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 138:532-548 </ref>. After hatching, juvenile steelhead generally spend 2-4 years maturing before migrating to the ocean. However, on occasion an individual will remain in freshwater environment for up to 7 years before moving to an estuarine environment to mature. Mature adults do not reproduce every year; when they do, they will return to the stream of their birth. The maximum lifespan for steelhead is estimated to be around 11 years <ref name="NOAA">NOAA Fisheries: Steelhead trout information http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/fish/steelheadtrout.htm </ref>.
  
A "critical habitat" must be designated for species listed under the ESA. A critical habitat is an area that is essential habitat for the existence of a species. Areas designated as critical habitat are subjected to increased regulations to limit degradation of the health of the environment. This helps to ensure that the species listed under the ESA is not heavily impacted by changes made within their habitat. <ref>U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Critical Habitat; what is it? http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/wildlife/tes/docs/esa_references/critical_habitat.pdf </ref>
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==Habitat==
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[[File:Steelhead CritHab 2005.png|thumb|270px|right|Steelhead critical habitat<ref name="NOAA"/>]]
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Steelhead are capable of surviving in a wide range of habitats, but prefer streams with a dissolved oxygen content of at least 7 ppm. They spawn in fast flowing streams with a gravel substrate with low silt content.
  
== Steelhead Management Challenges ==
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In the United States, steelhead are found along the entire west coast. NOAA has designated much of the California coast, as well as sections of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho as [http://www.fws.gov/endangered/what-we-do/critical-habitats.html Critical Habitat] <ref name="NOAA"/>. Some of the designated coastline lies in [[California's Central Coast Region]], supporting multiple populations of steelhead, among other [[Anadromous Fishes of California's Central Coast Region|anadromous species]].
Steelhead emigration age, return age, and probability of repeat spawning are variable. There are 32 identified possible life history trajectories for Steelhead which presents a great challenge for managing the species <ref name="Thorpe"> Thorpe JE. 2007. Maturation responses of salmonids to changing developmental opportunities. Marine Ecology Progress Series 335:285-288 </ref>. Changes in freshwater conditions due to water management or climate change may alter demographic rates along with the current life history trajectories, sending fish on alternative trajectories with radically different demographic results <ref name="Satt"/>.
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== Links ==
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== Conservation ==
[[Steelhead in the Salinas Watershed]]
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Steelhead were first listed as [[Special Status Species of the Central Coast| threatened]] under the [http://www.fws.gov/endangered/ Endangered Species Act] (ESA) in 1998 <ref> U.S. Fish and Wildlife Species Profile: steelhead http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=E08D  </ref>. The complex life cycle for steelhead provide a number of [[Steelhead Management in the Monterey Bay Region|management challenges]].
  
[[Steelhead in the Monterey Bay Region]]
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== Links ==
 
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*[[Steelhead in the Salinas Watershed]]
[[Steelhead Management in the Monterey Bay Region]]
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*[[Steelhead Management in the Monterey Bay Region]]
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*[[Salmonids in California's Central Coast Region: Salmon, Trout, and Steelhead]]
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*[[Anadromous Fishes of California's Central Coast Region]]
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*[[California Natural Diversity Database]]
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*[[Trout Unlimited]]
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*[[Carmel River Steelhead Association]]
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==

Latest revision as of 06:34, 14 April 2020

An environmental summary created by the ENVS 560/L Watershed Systems class at CSUMB.

Classification

Steelhead: Oncorhynchus mykiss [1]
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Order Salmoniformes
Family Salmonidae
Genus Oncorhynchus
Species mykiss

Steelhead Life History

Life cycle of Salmon and Steelhead [2]

Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is the name for anadromous rainbow trout. Generally, anadromous fish spend the majority of their lives in the ocean and spawn in fresh water, but mature steelhead have been observed to remain in freshwater environments for multiple seasons. Steelhead are distinct among Pacific salmonid species because they are both anadromous and iteroparous. Iteroparous fish are capable of reproducing multiple times over the course of their lifespans.

Steelhead exhibit a wide range of life histories and development is dependent on the local environment [3]. After hatching, juvenile steelhead generally spend 2-4 years maturing before migrating to the ocean. However, on occasion an individual will remain in freshwater environment for up to 7 years before moving to an estuarine environment to mature. Mature adults do not reproduce every year; when they do, they will return to the stream of their birth. The maximum lifespan for steelhead is estimated to be around 11 years [4].

Habitat

Steelhead critical habitat[4]

Steelhead are capable of surviving in a wide range of habitats, but prefer streams with a dissolved oxygen content of at least 7 ppm. They spawn in fast flowing streams with a gravel substrate with low silt content.

In the United States, steelhead are found along the entire west coast. NOAA has designated much of the California coast, as well as sections of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho as Critical Habitat [4]. Some of the designated coastline lies in California's Central Coast Region, supporting multiple populations of steelhead, among other anadromous species.

Conservation

Steelhead were first listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1998 [5]. The complex life cycle for steelhead provide a number of management challenges.

Links

References

  1. NOAA fisheries http://www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/stories/2014/14_stearns_dam_removal.html
  2. UC Davis Salmon and Steelhead life history
  3. Satterthwaite WH, Beaks MP, Collins EM, Swank DR, Merz JE, Titus RG, Sogard SM, Mangel M. 2009. Steelhead life history on California's Central Coast: insights from a state-dependent model. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 138:532-548
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 NOAA Fisheries: Steelhead trout information http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/fish/steelheadtrout.htm
  5. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Species Profile: steelhead http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=E08D

Disclaimer

This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.