Martinson EC, Helle JH, Scarnecchia DL, Stokes HH

Density-dependent growth of Alaska sockeye salmon in relation to climate-oceanic regimes, population abundance, and body size, 1925 to 1998

Density-dependent growth in Alaska sockeye salmon was inferred by Martinson and colleagues using inverse relationships between scale-growth and a population abundance index, based on a 74 yr time series. A multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS) modeling approach suggested that density-dependent growth occurred during the cool regime, at lower population abundances, and at small juvenile body sizes; and that reduced growth was associated with cold years, intra-specific competition, and latitudinal boundary of the sub-arctic current. Long-term monitoring projects provide valuable insight into how species respond to changes in climate and population dynamics and are central to predicting how species will respond to future changes.

Inter-Research Science Publisher is pleased to make this Feature Article openly available for viewing by our readers.

Abstract   Back to contents page   Link to full PDF