page_title: Introduced trout in lake ecosystems
section_title: Salamanders
hierarchical_section_title: Introduced trout in lake ecosystems / Impacts on lake species via competition or predation / Salamanders
caption_attribution_description: English: A salamander egg mass in a mountain lake with introduced trout.
context_page_description: Since the recession of the last glaciation, isolated bodies of water high in mountain crevasses have been topographically separated from fish. Within Washington state a number of lakes in the Olympic and Cascade Mountains have been stocked since the early 20th century. Prior to the existence of a state wildlife management agency, the U.S. Forest Service stocked mountain lakes with rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and eastern brook trout. High lake management of this era largely focused on improving sport fishing opportunities and secondarily establishing ecological balance. Natural reproduction of fish species, especially eastern brook trout, has led to overpopulation and “stunting” from starvation in low nutrient environments. The result has been decreased interest from fishermen, while causing large, negative impacts on natural lake biota. Addressing concerns for biodiversity can positively impact agendas for the conservation of species, as well as high lakes fishery management.
context_section_description: Studies conducted in the North Cascades National Park Service Complex examined impacts on larval stage long-toed salamanders through snorkel observations. The long-toed salamander is considered the top vertebrate predator in high-elevation fishless lakes, but the presence of fish species often equates to lower densities of larvae.  While fish impact is a notable factor, fish predation is more commonly linked to changes in salamander behavior, particularly nocturnal tendencies. As lakes decrease in elevation and Scientists have examined additional abiotic and biotic factors that lead to declines of salamanders in lake ecosystems. Elevation, water temperature, lake area and depth, as well as availability of suitable food resources, are all factors that interact with fish introductions to influence impacts. Amphibian declines have become a worldwide issue that is most commonly attributed to chemical pollution, acid rain, ozone depletion, habitat destruction, as well as introductions of exotic species Recent studies have shown correlations of decline among amphibians to a chytrid fungus, which causes chytridiomycosis. The pathogen is one of many emerging infectious diseases that largely threaten amphibian populations, especially salamanders. Primarily spread through the import/export of live animals the threat lies when infected animals escape or are released into the wild.
caption: A salamander egg mass in a mountain lake with introduced trout.
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