Cohort strength and body size in co-occurring salmonids in a small stream network: variation in space and time

Trout and salmon commonly coexist in stream networks. Exploring similarities differences among species can help explain coexistence invasive ability. Here, we describe spatial distribution, cohort strengths size-at-age of three co-occurring a small network. Spatial distributions varied dramatically species; native brook trout occupied all reaches, naturalized brown were found the mainstem lower portions tributaries fry-stocked Atlantic limited to mainstem. Size-at-age also differed species, consistently smallest, intermediate size largest. Despite differences, mean lengths highly correlated years. Cohort considerably across years but for two suggesting strong environmental control on strength reduced role interactions. At low densities, observed negative effects density body sizes weaker otherwise. Overall, these results suggest distribution combined with response variation contribute this steam