Anadromous Fish as Keystone Species in Vertebrate Communities

Abstract

Many wildlife species feed on anadromous fishes of several life‐history stages. There is evidence for some wildlife species that the availability of anadromous fish is critically important for survival or reproduction. In some regions anadromous fishes in fresh water appear to be keystone food resources for vertebrate prediators and scavengers, forging an ecologically significant link between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The spatial distribution of anadromous fish in fresh water, including the occurrence of runs in very small streams, has important consequences for wildlife biology (social interactions, distribution, activity patterns, possibly survivorship) and conservation of biodiversity.