What ecological role did the migrating bull trout historically fulfill across the watershed between different elevations?
Answer
Acting as a biological link between the valley floor and high alpine lakes
The life strategy of the bull trout, particularly for anadromous populations that move between large water bodies and freshwater streams, enabled them to function as a vital connector species within the entire river network. By migrating between distant feeding grounds, often found in valley floors or large lakes, and their natal headwater spawning grounds high in the mountains, they facilitated the transfer of nutrients and genetic material across vast distances. This connection helped maintain the overall health and genetic flow throughout the interconnected segments of the river system, ensuring ecological resilience across the varied elevations of the watershed.
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