Do trout respond to riparian change? A meta-analysis with implications for restoration and management

Abstract

There are strong conceptual links between riparian zones and freshwater fish via riparian influences on water quality, habitat quality and availability, and trophic dynamics. Many of the world's riparian zones are, however, severely degraded, and the key functions they provide for fish are lost or compromised. In response to their ongoing degradation, extensive works are underway globally to restore the structure and function of riparian zones. Despite intense effort, we lack clear empirical evidence of how fishes respond to changes in riparian zones. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore how trout (specifically brook, brown, cutthroat, rainbow and steelhead), fish wi..