With all this data that has been collected it is only natural to follow up with questions as to how one can help to conserve the native species. It is clear that the hatchery raised rainbow trout are becoming a threat to the native cutthroat trout species (Allendorf 1980) so one must consider what can be done to once again bring these two populations into balance.
My first suggestion would be to have more monitoring in streams and lakes to see how populations of cutthroat trouts are being affected by rainbow trout. It is possible that other factors could also be affecting cutthroat trout population such as the loss of habitat and food (Wildlife Habitat Management Institute 2000, Hitt 2003). Based on current data it appears so because the two species are similar in many ways so both should also be affected by the environmental changes; however, it's also possible that the cutthroat trout are unable to adapt as easily to the environmental changes compared the the rainbow trout.
My other suggestion would be that hatcheries stop introducing their fish into rivers and lakes in large quantities. It is true that this practice is done mainly for sporting reasons, giving fly fishers enough fish to catch as a sport, but this population of fish have already become well adapted to the habitats on their own (Hitt 2003), they do not require more introduction of fish. I believe that further research must be carried out to see if it is even necessary for hatcheries to continue releasing these fish into the wild.
I think is a really interesting and great topic because even though rainbow trout are native they could cause the other native competitors, cutthroat trout to potentially become endangered. Your graphics that apply different genetic concepts on hybridization and predation are great supplements to your blog. It would be interesting to to know what kind of opposition you would get from fly fishers if you stopped the introduction of rainbow trout. Even though rainbow trout seem to be the better survivor in fisheries, are there any changes or studies that could help promote survival of cutthroat trout in fisheries so that they can be released instead of rainbows?
ReplyDeleteMake sure you include a source page at the end. Using the software we did in an earlier lab was a nice touch. You could also add some graphics to this page if you feel the need.
DeleteI'm having trouble making independent comments on blogs(sorry again Ana) so this is just a reply.
DeleteI think its a great website so far. I will copy everyone else's comments and say you need source citations. Also perhaps you could put something to make this last slide more exciting. Don't lose the professionalism of your website, that is a strength. Just liven it up a bit.
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ReplyDeleteYour site is very well-written. Though I find your hybridization tab a bit dense, I think it has some fantastic synthesis material. If your intended audience is more to the public, I'd simplify a few things and maybe add some summaries after the dense parts. Though I think you don't technically need more graphics, adding a bit more to break up the text couldn't hurt. The only major critique I have, which some people have already said, is citing your resources. Overall, your site is incredibly solid.
DeleteI enjoyed your topic! You addressed the issue very well in your intro; however, when you hit your hybridization page, the use of words like genotype and allele frequency is useful to biology people, but the problem is getting your message across to people who have no clue what that even means. Adding a few simple definitions could be helpful! Also, your first page is the only place where we even get to see what the trouts look like and they are illustrations. More pictures please!
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