Inferred Trophic Characteristics and Ecological Roles of Native and Nonnative Fishes in Odell Lake, Oregon

Introduction and establishment of nonnative fishes can negatively affect native species and ecosystems through a variety of ecological interactions. For example, competition between species that occupy a similar trophic guild can result in extirpation or reduced abundance of native fishes. We used a combination of standard sampling methods and stable isotope analysis to evaluate relative abundance and isotopic niche overlap among native and nonnative species in Odell Lake, Oregon. Our primary focus was on interactions between native Bull Trout Salvelinus confluentus and nonnative Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush; however, we also evaluated relative abundance and isotopic niche characteristics of other native and nonnative species. Overall, the relative abundance of nonnative fishes was greater than that of native fishes. For example, Lake Trout outnumbered Bull Trout 27:1, and the numerically most dominant species in our sample was nonnative Tui Chub Siphateles bicolor. We also observed isotopic niche overlap among a variety of native and nonnative fishes. Bull Trout and Lake Trout are both top-level predators in Odell Lake and the probability that Bull Trout were within the isotopic niche of Lake Trout was 0.23. The probability that nonnative kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka and Tui Chub were within the isotopic niche of native Mountain Whitefish Prosopium williamsoni exceeded 0.95, and the probability that Tui Chub were within the isotopic niche of Rainbow Trout O. mykiss was 0.90. Based on data presented here and rangewide patterns for Bull Trout, we conclude that competition with Lake Trout is plausible and has the potential to influence the persistence of Bull Trout in Odell Lake. Further, we discuss ecological interactions potentially influencing the abundance of other native fishes in Odell Lake.

Automated summary

Introduction and establishment of nonnative fishes can negatively affect native species and ecosystems. In Odell Lake, nonnative fishes were more abundant than native fishes, with Lake Trout being the most dominant species. Isotopic niche overlap was observed among various native and nonnative fishes. The study suggests that competition with Lake Trout may impact the persistence of Bull Trout in Odell Lake, and other native fishes may also be influenced by ecological interactions.