Juvenile Salmonid Electrofishing Surveys in Cape Breton Highlands

Electrofishing surveys monitor juvenile salmonid densities in rivers within Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Data collection occurs annually in late summer or early fall when water temperatures drop below 20°C. The dataset includes species identification and morphometric measurements for captured fish.

Use Cases

• Analyze juvenile salmonid density trends over time using annual survey data.
• Model relationships between species distribution and environmental conditions like water temperature.
• Assess morphometric data to monitor fish condition and population health for species like Atlantic salmon and brook trout.

Strengths

• Data is collected through a standardized electrofishing method over a 300-second sampling period.
• Surveys are conducted annually, providing a time series for population monitoring.
• Focuses on specific sport fish species important for resource management, including Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis).

Limitations

• Unknown sample size or number of survey records limits assessment of statistical power.
• Geographic scope is restricted to rivers within a single national park, limiting broader ecological inference.
• Data availability and specific measured variables beyond species and morphometrics are not detailed.

Provenance

Source

Parks Canada

Collection Method

Electrofishing surveys in open sample plots, with stunned fish captured for species and morphometric data collection before release.

Time Range

Annual surveys in late summer/early fall.

Freshness

Updated annually in late summer/early fall.

Geography

Rivers within Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Canada.