8272

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8272
• Author: Wydoski, R. S. and E. J. Wick.
• Title: Flooding and Aquatic Ecosytems.
• USFW Year: 2000.
• USFW - Doc Type: 238-268, Chapter 9
• Copyright Material: YES

254

Figure 9.4. Various floodplain
habitats in the floodplain of the
upper Colorado River basin.
(a) 1993 flooding of a depression
wetland (Wyasket Bottom) on the
Ouray National Wildlife Refuge
along the middle Green River
(potential nursery habitat for
larval razorback suckers).
(b) Shallow embayment along the
Colorado River in Canyonlands
(nursery habitat for Colorado
squawfish). (c) A 147-ha
depression wetland (Old Charley
Wash) in the floodplain of the
middle Green River (larval
razorback suckers survived
through the first summer of life in
this wetland). (d) Flooded
tributary and backwater (Millard
Canyon) in the lower Green River
(ephemeral habitat for larval
razorback suckers).

Flooding and Aquatic Ecosystems

of chironomids than river backwaters because of a longer life cycle of
chironomids compared with the high turnover rate of zooplankton.
Even though survival of larval razorback suckers was high when zoo-
plankton densities were about 60 organisms per fish per day. growth was
less until the zooplankton density was 500 organisms per fish per day or
more (Figure 9.3). Reduced growth of larval razorback suckers may result
in higher mortality through predation by nonnative fishes (Leggett, 1986)
because the larvae are in poor condition (i.e., starved) with less locomotive
ability (Rice et aI., 1987).