Floodplain Use Related to Stream Morphology and Fish Populations

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Abstract
For 2 contiguous sections of a Montana stream, the agricultural use of the floodplain was related to cover, stream morphology , and fish populations. In one section the vegetation of the floodplain was reduced by clearing and intensive livestock grazing; in the other section, which had received light use by livestock, vegetation was relatively unchanged. This ungrazed section had 76 [degree]/o more cover (undercut banks, debris, overhanging brush, and miscellaneous) per acre of stream than the grazed section. Brown trout (+ 6 inches) were estimated to be 27 [degree]/o more numerous and to weigh 44 [degree]/o more per acre in the ungrazed section of the stream, although their rate of growth was similar in the 2 stream sections.

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