Impacts of highway crossings on density of brook charr in streams

1. Habitat degradation and fragmentation are growing concerns in ecology, yet distinguishing between the effects of these processes can be a challenging task. In riverine landscapes, roads impact fish populations mainly through: (i) restriction of passage of individuals (fragmentation) and (ii) reduction in habitat quality downstream by increases in sediment load (habitat degradation). These two processes can be differentiated during road construction projects. 2. This study examines the impacts of a highway expansion and the presence of existing highway crossings on local population density of brook charr Salvelinus fontinalis in stream reaches traversed by the highway. Density was estimated on three consecutive summers in 212 sections distributed among 36 streams. This extensive sampling design focused on replicated comparison of sites upstream and downstream of highway crossings and included different stages of highway construction (before, during and after) and types of highway crossing (low, intermediate and high passability). Mixed models were used to examine the impacts of the highway on population density. 3. Highway construction activities had no detectable effect on density. However, existing highway crossings appeared to have a strong effect on density, which differed markedly between upstream and downstream sites near highway crossings of intermediate and low passabilities. 4. A Markovian movement model yielded estimates of passability that were consistent with the classification of crossing types and provided evidence for the restriction of upstream movement at crossings as a plausible explanation for observed differences in local population density. 5. Synthesis and applications. Habitat fragmentation resulting from restriction of passage at highway crossings had markedly greater effects on local population density than short-term impacts arising from construction activities. The modelling approaches used in this study can be useful management tools for the conservation of mobile fish species in fragmented riverine landscapes.