How Does Beta Diversity of Aquatic Invertebrates Affect Abundance of Trout

Summary

In this project I will be looking at the relationship between the beta diversity aquatic invertebrates and trout* species in the foothills of Alberta. More specifically, I will be exploring whether the beta diversity of aquatic invertebrates based on the Sørensen index affect the abundance of trout as a whole as well as split up into individual species. Results from this project could potentially help us better understand the relationship between aquatic invertebrates and trout, and perhaps even lead to a new way of assessing habitat quality for trout in the foothills of Alberta.

The approach chosen for this project was centered around regression analysis, in order to determine any correlations between trout abundance, either as a total or split into the three different species; Bull trout, Brown trout and Brook trout, and the beta diversity of aquatic invertebrates, either a total or split into its two components; replacement and nestedness. What was found was that total beta diversity of aquatic invertebrates is positively correlated with trout abundance with 98% confidence at an adjusted R² of 0.6171 and replacement of aquatic invertebrates is positively correlated with trout abundance with 99% confidence at an adjusted R² of 0.7743, as long as Burnt Timber is an outlier. However, more sampling is needed to determine if Burnt Timber is in fact a true outlier.

*Note that "trout" in this project will include fish in both the Salvelinus (Char) genus and the Salmo (Atlantic salmon) genus

Disclaimer: this is a class exercise with simulated datasets for the purpose of completing RENR 480 at the University of Alberta.