An Analysis of Lake Morphometric and Land Use Characteristics that Promote Persistence of Cisco in Indiana
AbstractRemnant populations of Cisco Coregonus artedi persist at the southern extent of their range among northern Indiana's glacial lakes, where most of their populations have become extirpated during the past century. Land use practices have likely accelerated lake eutrophication, while climate change threatens to further degrade the habitat necessary to sustain Ciscoes in Indiana. However, because the effects of these stressors have not been ubiquitous, an understanding of the factors that have contributed to either extirpation or persistence of Cisco populations will better inform future conservation practices. We analyzed lake morphometric and land use data to identify lakes that (1) are most likely to sustain Ciscoes, (2) are most likely to lose Ciscoes, and (3) have lost Ciscoes but are similar to current Cisco lakes and hence may be targets for restoration. We found that large, deep lakes located further north were more suitable for Ciscoes in the past, but that smaller lakes with a high ratio of