Position: Graduate Research Assistant
Where: University of Alaska Fairbanks When: January 2021-August 2022 Collaborators: Graduate Advisor Dr. Jeff Falke, USFWS Fish Biologist Kevin Kappenman, ADFG Invasive Species Biologist Kristine Dunker, and many more Publication: www.proquest.com/openview/0b9c1b80a634e5190a1a54c83f2c0405/1.pdf?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y Presentations: Cubbage, T. L., Falke, J., Kappenman, K., Dunker, K. and M. Blank. 2022. Factors affecting the leaping ability of Northern Pike (Esox lucius): implications for barrier design in invaded systems. Mat-Su Salmon Science and Conservation Symposium, Palmer, AK. November 14-15, 2022. Cubbage, T. L., Falke, J., Kappenman, K., Dunker, K., and P. Westley. 2022. Factors affecting the leaping ability of Northern Pike (Esox lucius): implications for barrier design in invaded systems. American Fisheries Society 152nd Annual Meeting, Spokane, WA. August 21-25, 2022. Summary: Northern Pike are a widespread aquatic invasive species throughout southcentral Alaska and elsewhere in the lower 48 United States, where they predate upon and cause declines in native fish populations via predation. Many agencies, universities, and non-profit conservation organizations are working together to combat the issue of invasive pike in Alaska. One proposed management tactic is the use of selective vertical drop barriers; structures that could block the movement of pike for more targeted removal efforts while preserving essential habitat connectivity for native fishes with strong leaping abilities such as salmonids. For this chapter of my master's research, I collaborated with several project partners to assess factors that affect the leaping ability of pike, to determine if vertical drop barriers could be a viable option to stop pike movement. Working at the USFWS Bozeman Fish Technology Center in Montana, I conducted leaping experiments with pike in a state-of-the-art flume system to determine how barrier height, pool depth, and flow rate affected pike leaping ability. Pike were tagged with PIT tags and their lengths, weights, sex, body condition, growth, and metabolic capacities were also evaluated as factors that could affect leaping ability. After all experiments were complete, I used logistic modeling to determine that pike are unable to ascend barriers under certain height and depth scenarios that adult and some juvenile salmonids can ascend with relative ease. These models can be utilized by project partners to potentially design and implement barriers that prevent the spread of invasive pike in Alaska and elsewhere they are invasive. Check out the full project background, methods, and results in my published master's thesis: www.proquest.com/openview/0b9c1b80a634e5190a1a54c83f2c0405/1.pdf?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y |