Quantitative methods for analysing cumulative effects on fish migration success: a review

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Fisheries Science
• Quantitative Biology

Background:

• Assessing cumulative effects of multiple stressors on fish survival is crucial for understanding migration.
• Current fish migration studies often use limited analytical methods, leading to suboptimal analyses.
• A gap exists in applying diverse quantitative methods to fish migration challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize analytical methods for quantifying cumulative effects on fish migration.
• To evaluate the applicability of multivariable methods in fish migration studies.
• To provide a primer for researchers on advanced quantitative techniques for fish survival analysis.

Main Methods:

• Compilation of analytical methods from fish migration literature (Fraser River sockeye salmon).
• Literature review across fisheries science, biology, and medicine for relevant quantitative techniques.
• Evaluation of multivariable analyses for their potential in cumulative effects assessment.

Main Results:

• Limited application of multivariable methods in current fish migration studies.
• Underutilization of advanced quantitative techniques despite their availability in related fields.
• Identification of specific multivariable analyses as promising for future cumulative effects studies.

Conclusions:

• Multivariable analyses offer a more realistic approach to assessing cumulative impacts on fish migration.
• Adoption of diverse quantitative methods can improve the accuracy of fish survival predictions.
• This review serves as a foundational guide for applying advanced analytical techniques in fish migration research.