Glacier runoff influences biogeochemistry and resource availability in coastal temperate rainforest streams: Implications for juvenile salmon growth

Meltwater contributions to watersheds are shrinking as glaciers disappear, altering the flow, temperature, and biogeochemistry of freshwaters. A potential consequence of this landscape change is that streamflow patterns within glacierized watersheds will become more homogenous, potentially altering the capacity of watersheds to support Pacific salmon. To assess heterogeneity in stream habitat quality for juvenile salmon in a watershed in the Alaska Coast Mountains, we collected organic matter and invertebrate drift and measured streamwater physical and biogeochemical properties over the main runoff season in two adjacent tributaries, one fed mainly by rain and the other partially by glacier ice/snowmelt. We then used bioenergetic modeling to evaluate how temporal patterns in water temperature and invertebrate drift in each tributary influence juvenile salmon growth potential. Across the study period, average invertebrate drift concentrations were similar in non-glacierized Montana (0.33 mg m(-3)) and glacier-influenced McGinnis Creeks (0.38 mg m(-3)). However, seasonal patterns of invertebrate drift were temporally asynchronous between the two streams. Invertebrate drift and modeled fish growth were generally higher in McGinnis Creek in the spring and Montana Creek in the Summer. For juvenile salmon, tracking these resource asynchronies by moving between tributaries resulted in 20% greater growth than could be obtained within either stream alone. These results suggest that hydrologic heterogeneity within watersheds may enhance the diversity of foraging and growth opportunities for mobile aquatic organisms, which may be essential for supporting productive and resilient natural salmon runs.

Automated summary

Meltwater contributions to watersheds are decreasing as glaciers disappear, altering the flow, temperature, and biogeochemistry of freshwaters. This landscape change may result in more homogenous streamflow patterns within glacierized watersheds, potentially impacting the ability of watersheds to support Pacific salmon.