DUSTT
 |
Determining substrate use by migratory species and macroinvertebrates – Underwater photogrammetric and multicriteria approaches |
|
Research
Habitat modification in freshwaters is a dominant cause of lamprey populations decline. While adults lamprey are well studied in the literature, we lack information on the ecology of larval stages. Larva, or ammocetes, require specific habitats for their development, but the key characteristics of microhabitats (substrate features, biological interactions) that influence lamprey larva remain poorly understood.
The overarching objective of this study is to explore the suitability of habitats for the establishment and development of lamprey juveniles. To study the substrate features, we developed a non-destructive approach based on subaquatic photogrammetry, which consist in a quantitative assessment of substrat features (e.g. size, relative coverage).
Then we carried surveys of the invertebrate communities to understand how biological interactions may influence lamprey larva. The results obtained from photogrammetry suggest that the thickness of the first substrate layer and its features (e.g., organic deposits, branches) are positively correlated with the presence of lamprey larvae. Our analyses of invertebrate communities show that the presence of Ephemera is negatively correlated with the presence of lampreys in patches. In conclusion, subaquatic photogrammetry stands as a promising, non-destructive and high-frequency approach to assess the habitat suitability for larva lamprey in streams.
Publications issued from the project
People involved
 |
DÉZERALD Olivier, Scientist Phone : +33 2 23 48 54 46 Email : olivier.dezerald@inrae.fr |
 |
FORGET Guillaume, Scientist Phone : +33 2 23 48 56 25 Email : guillaume.forget@inrae.fr |
 |
LASNE Emilien, Scientist Phone : + 33 2 23 48 54 44 Email : emilien.lasne@inrae.fr |
 |
ROUSSEL Jean-Marc, Scientist Phone : +33 2 23 48 57 75 Email : jean-marc.roussel@inrae.fr |
Funding and Support
OFB