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Algorithm: Northern pike eggs are deposited using as a function of mean daily water temperature and vegetation coverage (grasses, sedge meadow, and submerged aquatic vegetation) with a Logistic regression probability model. Vegetation coverage in wetlands is predicted using the ETWG wetland submodel; for elevations less than 74.2 m (243.44 ft) (IGLD 1985) submerged aquatic vegetation was mapped by interpreting high resolution ortho-images of study sites taken in the spring of 2003 (NYS GIS Clearinghouse), and low elevation springtime aerial photographs (SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry). Loss of eggs and yolk larvae by stranding due to water level fluctuation is incorporated in model function. Rate of development and survival of eggs to swim up of larvae are simulated daily as a function of habitat specific water temperature and time (days) determined from laboratory trials (Farrell and Toner 2002). Growth of swim-up larvae, following complete yolk absorption and start of exogenous feeding, is simulated using a temperature and consumption driven bioenergetics model. A habitat specific proportion of maximum consumption achieved was fit with field estimates of northern pike growth. Habitat specific mean daily survival of YOY northern pike is predicted as a function of body length and was determined from field studies and literature values. Production for each habitat is the simulated product of growth and abundance for August 23.
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