Introduced Anadromous Salmonids in Patagonia: Risks, Uses, and a Conservation Paradox

Abstract

Because of their peculiar life cycle, introduced anadromous salmonids can have cascading effects on both marine and freshwater communities. From an ecological standpoint, there are three aspects of exotic salmonids that merit special attention: the factors that govern the establishment of wild populations, the impact of the introduced fish on the receiving communities, and their adaptations to the new environments. Here, we examine several case studies dealing with anadromous salmonids introduced in Patagonia, the southern region of Argentina, from these three viewpoints.