Biological Condition Gradient (BCG) Attribute Assignments for Macroinvertebrates and Fish in the Mid-Atlantic Region (Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland)
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The Effects of Low-Head Dams and Land Use Change on North Carolina Atlantic Slope Fish Community Structure
THE EFFECTS OF LOW-HEAD DAMS AND LAND USE CHANGE ON NORTH CAROLINA ATLANTIC SLOPE FISH COMMUNITY STRUCTURE A Thesis by JORDAN M. HOLCOMB Submitted to the Graduate School Appalachian State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE August 2013 Department of Biology THE EFFECTS OF LOW-HEAD DAMS AND LAND USE CHANGE ON NORTH CAROLINA ATLANTIC SLOPE FISH COMMUNITY STRUCTURE A Thesis by JORDAN M. HOLCOMB August 2013 APPROVED BY: Dr. Michael M. Gangloff Chairperson, Thesis Committee Dr. Robert P. Creed Member, Thesis Committee Dr. Steven W. Seagle Member, Thesis Committee Dr. Sue L. Edwards Chairperson, Department of Biology Dr. Edelma D. Huntley Dean, Research and Graduate Studies Copyright by Jordan M. Holcomb 2013 All Rights Reserved Abstract Effects of Low-Head Dams on North Carolina Atlantic Slope Fish Community Structure Jordan M. Holcomb B.S., Appalachian State University M.S., Appalachian State University Chairperson: Dr. Michael M. Gangloff, Ph.D Dams impound streams, alter sediment regimes and other physicochemical characteristics, and fragment populations. Low-head dams (<15m height) are ubiquitous in eastern North America and impact communities across broad geographic scales. We sampled fish at 25 dams (9 breached, 7 relict, 9 intact) in the Tar, Neuse and Roanoke basins including reaches upstream, immediately downstream (mill reach) of and >500m downstream from each dam (n=75 reaches). Analyses revealed fish CPUE, taxa richness, percent intolerant taxa, individual intolerant taxa and eel abundance were significantly higher in intact dam mill reaches and upstream of breached dams compared to other reaches. Relict dams had no between reach differences. -
Fish Relationships with Large Wood in Small Streams
Amencan F~sheriesSociety Symposium 37:179-193, 2003 Fish Relationships with Large Wood in Small Streams USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Department ofFisheries and Wildlife Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060, USA USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station 1000 Front Street, Oxford, Massachusetts 38655, USA Abstracf.-Many ecological processes are associated with large wood in streams, such as forming habitat critical for fish and a host of other organisms. Wood loading in streams varies with age and species of riparian vegetation, stream size, time since last disturbance, and history of land use. Changes in the landscape resulting from homesteading, agriculture, and logging have altered forest environments, which, in turn, changed the physical and biological characteristics of many streams worldwide. Wood is also important in creating refugia for fish and other aquatic species. Removing wood from streams typically results in loss of pool habitat and overall complexity as well as fewer and smaller individuals of both coldwater and warmwater fish species. The life histories of more than 85 species of fish have some association with large wood for cover, spawning (egg attachment, nest materials), and feeding. Many other aquatic organisms, such as crayfish, certain species of freshwater mus- sels, and turtles, also depend on large wood during at least part of their life cycles. Introduction Because decay rate and probability of displace- ment are a function of size, large pieces have a Large wood can profoundly influence the struc- greater influence on habitat and physical processes ture and function of aquatic habitats from head- than small pieces. In general, rootwads, branches, waters to estuaries. -
Information on the NCWRC's Scientific Council of Fishes Rare
A Summary of the 2010 Reevaluation of Status Listings for Jeopardized Freshwater Fishes in North Carolina Submitted by Bryn H. Tracy North Carolina Division of Water Resources North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Raleigh, NC On behalf of the NCWRC’s Scientific Council of Fishes November 01, 2014 Bigeye Jumprock, Scartomyzon (Moxostoma) ariommum, State Threatened Photograph by Noel Burkhead and Robert Jenkins, courtesy of the Virginia Division of Game and Inland Fisheries and the Southeastern Fishes Council (http://www.sefishescouncil.org/). Table of Contents Page Introduction......................................................................................................................................... 3 2010 Reevaluation of Status Listings for Jeopardized Freshwater Fishes In North Carolina ........... 4 Summaries from the 2010 Reevaluation of Status Listings for Jeopardized Freshwater Fishes in North Carolina .......................................................................................................................... 12 Recent Activities of NCWRC’s Scientific Council of Fishes .................................................. 13 North Carolina’s Imperiled Fish Fauna, Part I, Ohio Lamprey .............................................. 14 North Carolina’s Imperiled Fish Fauna, Part II, “Atlantic” Highfin Carpsucker ...................... 17 North Carolina’s Imperiled Fish Fauna, Part III, Tennessee Darter ...................................... 20 North Carolina’s Imperiled Fish Fauna, Part -
Final Report- HWY-2009-16 Propagation and Culture of Federally Listed Freshwater Mussel Species
Final Report- HWY-2009-16 Propagation and Culture of Federally Listed Freshwater Mussel Species Prepared By Jay F- Levine, Co-Principal Investigator1 Christopher B- Eads, Co-Investigator1 Renae Greiner, Graduate Student Assistant1 Arthur E- Bogan, Co- Investigator2 1North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine 4700 Hillsborough Street Raleigh, NC 27606 2 NC State Museum of Natural Sciences 4301 Reedy Creek Rd- Raleigh, NC 27607 November 2011 Technical Report Documentation Page 1- Report No- 2-Government Accession No- 3- Recipient’s Catalog No- FHWA/NC/2009-16 4- Title and Subtitle 5- Report Date Propagation and Culture of Federally Listed Freshwater November 2011 Mussel Species 6-Performing Organization Code 7- Author(s) 8-Performing Organization Report No- Jay F- Levine, Co-Principal Investigator Arthur E- Bogan, Co-Principal Investigator Renae Greiner, Graduate Student Assistant 9- Performing Organization Name and Address 10- Work Unit No- (TRAIS) North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine 11- Contract or Grant No- 4700 Hillsborough Street Raleigh, NC 27606 12- Sponsoring Agency Name and Address 13-Type of Report and Period Covered North Carolina Department of Transportation Final Report P-O- Box 25201 August 16, 2008 – June 30, 2011 Raleigh, NC 27611 14- Sponsoring Agency Code HWY-2009-16 15- Supplementary Notes 16- Abstract Road and related crossing construction can markedly alter stream habitat and adversely affect resident native flora. The National Native Mussel Conservation Committee has recognized artificial propagation and culture as an important potential management tool for sustaining remaining freshwater mussel populations and has called for additional propagation research to help conserve and restore this faunal group. -
Endangered Species
FEATURE: ENDANGERED SPECIES Conservation Status of Imperiled North American Freshwater and Diadromous Fishes ABSTRACT: This is the third compilation of imperiled (i.e., endangered, threatened, vulnerable) plus extinct freshwater and diadromous fishes of North America prepared by the American Fisheries Society’s Endangered Species Committee. Since the last revision in 1989, imperilment of inland fishes has increased substantially. This list includes 700 extant taxa representing 133 genera and 36 families, a 92% increase over the 364 listed in 1989. The increase reflects the addition of distinct populations, previously non-imperiled fishes, and recently described or discovered taxa. Approximately 39% of described fish species of the continent are imperiled. There are 230 vulnerable, 190 threatened, and 280 endangered extant taxa, and 61 taxa presumed extinct or extirpated from nature. Of those that were imperiled in 1989, most (89%) are the same or worse in conservation status; only 6% have improved in status, and 5% were delisted for various reasons. Habitat degradation and nonindigenous species are the main threats to at-risk fishes, many of which are restricted to small ranges. Documenting the diversity and status of rare fishes is a critical step in identifying and implementing appropriate actions necessary for their protection and management. Howard L. Jelks, Frank McCormick, Stephen J. Walsh, Joseph S. Nelson, Noel M. Burkhead, Steven P. Platania, Salvador Contreras-Balderas, Brady A. Porter, Edmundo Díaz-Pardo, Claude B. Renaud, Dean A. Hendrickson, Juan Jacobo Schmitter-Soto, John Lyons, Eric B. Taylor, and Nicholas E. Mandrak, Melvin L. Warren, Jr. Jelks, Walsh, and Burkhead are research McCormick is a biologist with the biologists with the U.S. -
Stability, Persistence and Habitat Associations of the Pearl Darter Percina Aurora in the Pascagoula River System, Southeastern USA
Vol. 36: 99–109, 2018 ENDANGERED SPECIES RESEARCH Published June 13 https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00897 Endang Species Res OPENPEN ACCESSCCESS Stability, persistence and habitat associations of the pearl darter Percina aurora in the Pascagoula River System, southeastern USA Scott R. Clark1,4,*, William T. Slack2, Brian R. Kreiser1, Jacob F. Schaefer1, Mark A. Dugo3 1Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406, USA 2US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Environmental Laboratory EEA, Vicksburg, Mississippi 39180, USA 3Mississippi Valley State University, Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, Itta Bena, Mississippi 38941, USA 4Present address: Department of Biology and Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA ABSTRACT: The southeastern United States represents one of the richest collections of aquatic biodiversity worldwide; however, many of these taxa are under an increasing threat of imperil- ment, local extirpation, or extinction. The pearl darter Percina aurora is a small-bodied freshwater fish endemic to the Pearl and Pascagoula river systems of Mississippi and Louisiana (USA). The last collected specimen from the Pearl River drainage was taken in 1973, and it now appears that populations in this system are likely extirpated. This reduced the historical range of this species by approximately 50%, ultimately resulting in federal protection under the US Endangered Species Act in 2017. To better understand the current distribution and general biology of extant popula- tions, we analyzed data collected from a series of surveys conducted in the Pascagoula River drainage from 2000 to 2016. Pearl darters were captured at relatively low abundance (2.4 ± 4.0 ind. -
Reproductive Ecology and Habitat Preference of the Leopard Darter, Percina Pantherina
REPRODUCTIVE ECOLOGY AND HABITAT PREFERENCE OF THE LEOPARD DARTER, PERCINA PANTHERINA By PAUL WILLIAM /~AMES Bachelor of Science University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas 1981 ·4::er of Science ...1.issouri State University 3pringfield, Missouri 1983 Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate College of the Oklahoma State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the·Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY July, 1989 . - ~· ,• ) "' Oklahoma State Univ. Lihra1 REPRODUCTIVE ECOLOGY AND HABITAT PREFERENCE OF THE LEOPARD DARTER, PERCINA PANTHERINA Thesis Approved: ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to thank my advisor, Dr. o. Eugene Maughan, for giving me the opportunity to work on this project and for his encouragement throughout my graduate program. I would also like to thank the members of my graduate committee, Dr. William A. Drew, Dr. Anthony A. Echelle, Dr. Rudolph J. Miller, and Dr. Alexander v. Zale, for their professional and personal advice throughout the course of the study. I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to the u. s. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, and the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit for providing financial and technical support for the study. I am especially grateful to Mr. Frank James of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's McCurtain County Wilderness Area for his friendship and hospitality during extended field trips. A sincere thanks goes to Rick Horton, Steve O'Donnell, and Todd Phillips for their help in the field and laboratory. A special thanks goes to Stuart Leon for helping with the development of many of the field and data analysis techniques used in this study. -
New York and New York and Long Island Field Offices Strategic Plan
New York and Long Island Field Offices Strategic Plan FY2012 Table of Contents Page Strategic Plan Introduction 6 New York Focal Area Map 8 ALLEGHENY FOCAL AREA 9 Allegheny Focal Area Map 10 Bald Eagle Species Action Plan 11 Broad-winged Hawk Species Action Plan 19 Brook Trout Species Action Plan 27 Cerulean Warbler Species Action Plan 35 Clubshell Species Action Plan 43 Eastern Hellbender Species Action Plan 51 Rayed Bean Species Action Plan 63 Spotted Darter Species Action Plan 70 FINGER LAKES ONONDAGA FOCAL AREA 78 Finger Lakes/Onondaga Focal Area Map 79 American Hart’s-tongue Fern Species Action Plan 80 American Black Duck Species Action Plan 86 Bog Turtle Species Action Plan 95 Brook Trout Species Action Plan 103 Cerulean Warbler Species Action Plan 113 Chittenango Ovate Amber Snail Species Action Plan 122 Indiana Bat Species Action Plan 129 Lake Sturgeon Species Action Plan 139 Leedy’s Roseroot Species Action Plan 148 Massasauga Rattlesnake Species Action Plan 154 GREAT LAKES FOCAL AREA 160 Great Lakes Focal Area Map 162 American Woodcock Species Action Plan 163 ii Bald Eagle Species Action Plan 173 American Black Duck Species Action Plan 182 Bobolink Species Action Plan 192 Bog Turtle Species Action Plan 199 Broad-winged Hawk Species Action Plan 205 Brook Trout Species Action Plan 212 Cerulean Warbler Species Action Plan 221 Common Tern Species Action Plan 229 Houghton’s Goldenrod Species Action Plan 237 Indiana Bat Species Action Plan 244 Lake Sturgeon Species Action Plan 253 Massasauga Rattlesnake Species Action Plan 262 Piping -
Species of Greatest Conservation Need
APPENDIX A. VIRGINIA SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED Taxa Common Scientific Name Tier Cons. Opp. Habitat Descriptive Habitat Notes Name Ranking Amphibians Barking Hyla gratiosa II a Forest Forests near or within The Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information System indicates treefrog shallow wetlands the loss suitable wetlands constitute the greatest threats to this species. DGIF recommends working to maintain or restore forested buffers surrounding occupied wetlands. These needs are consistent with action plan priorities to conserve and restore wetland habitats and associated buffers. Recently discovered populations within its known range, may indicate this species is more abundant than previously believed. An in-depth investigation into its status may warrant delisting. This species will be prioritized as Tier 2a. Amphibians Blue Ridge Desmognathus IV c Forest High elevation seeps, This species' distribution is very limited. Other than limiting dusky orestes streams, wet rock faces, logging activity in the occupied areas, no conservation salamander and riparian forests actions have been identified. Unless other threats or actions are identified, this species will be listed as Tier 4c. Amphibians Blue Ridge Eurycea III a Wetland Mountain streams and The needs of this species are consistent with priorities for two-lined wilderae adjacent riparian areas maintaining and enhancing riparian forests and aquatic salamander with mixed hardwood or habitats. This species will be listed as Tier 3a. spruce-fir forests up to 6000 feet. Amphibians Carpenter Lithobates III a Wetland Freshwater wetlands with The needs of this species are consistent with action plan frog virgatipes sphagnum moss priorities to preserve and restore aquatic and wetland habitats and water quality. -
RESTORATION and COLONIZATION of FRESHWATER MUSSELS and FISH in a SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES Tailwatery
RIVER RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS River Res. Applic. 22: 475–491 (2006) Published online 21 March 2006 in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI: 10.1002/rra.919 RESTORATION AND COLONIZATION OF FRESHWATER MUSSELS AND FISH IN A SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES TAILWATERy JAMES B. LAYZERa* and EDWIN M. SCOTT, Jr.b a U.S. Geological Survey, Tennessee Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN 38505, USA b Tennessee Valley Authority, Resource Stewardship, 17 Ridgeway Road, Norris, TN 37828, USA ABSTRACT The French Broad River originates in North Carolina, flows west into Tennessee and at its confluence with the Holston River forms the Tennessee River. Douglas Dam, located on the French Broad River 52 km above its mouth, is operated primarily for peaking hydroelectric power and flood control. Prior to completion of the dam in 1943, the lower French Broad River contained about 53 species of freshwater mussels and 100 species of fish. By 1977, the fauna in the 52-km-long tailwater was reduced to 12 species of mussels and 42 native species of fish. Improvements in tailwater conditions occurred following initiation of mini- mum flows in 1987, and consistent reaeration of discharge in 1993. From 1988 to 2002, we sampled three sites (4, 28, and 39 km downstream of the dam) to monitor the fish assemblage. Each year since 1988, we have collected one or more additional spe- cies, indicating continued immigration. We collected 82 native and 9 exotic species of fish overall, but the maximum of 67 species in 1 year suggests that some species reside in the tailwater at low densities or all immigrants may not successfully colonize the tailwater. -
Geological Survey of Alabama Calibration of The
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF ALABAMA Berry H. (Nick) Tew, Jr. State Geologist ECOSYSTEMS INVESTIGATIONS PROGRAM CALIBRATION OF THE INDEX OF BIOTIC INTEGRITY FOR THE SOUTHERN PLAINS ICHTHYOREGION IN ALABAMA OPEN-FILE REPORT 1210 by Patrick E. O'Neil and Thomas E. Shepard Prepared in cooperation with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Tuscaloosa, Alabama 2012 TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ............................................................ 1 Introduction.......................................................... 2 Acknowledgments .................................................... 6 Objectives........................................................... 7 Study area .......................................................... 7 Southern Plains ichthyoregion ...................................... 7 Methods ............................................................ 9 IBI sample collection ............................................. 9 Habitat measures............................................... 11 Habitat metrics ........................................... 12 The human disturbance gradient ................................... 16 IBI metrics and scoring criteria..................................... 20 Designation of guilds....................................... 21 Results and discussion................................................ 23 Sampling sites and collection results . 23 Selection and scoring of Southern Plains IBI metrics . 48 Metrics selected for the -
Kyfishid[1].Pdf
Kentucky Fishes Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Kentucky Fish & Wildlife’s Mission To conserve, protect and enhance Kentucky’s fish and wildlife resources and provide outstanding opportunities for hunting, fishing, trapping, boating, shooting sports, wildlife viewing, and related activities. Federal Aid Project funded by your purchase of fishing equipment and motor boat fuels Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources #1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601 1-800-858-1549 • fw.ky.gov Kentucky Fish & Wildlife’s Mission Kentucky Fishes by Matthew R. Thomas Fisheries Program Coordinator 2011 (Third edition, 2021) Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources Division of Fisheries Cover paintings by Rick Hill • Publication design by Adrienne Yancy Preface entucky is home to a total of 245 native fish species with an additional 24 that have been introduced either intentionally (i.e., for sport) or accidentally. Within Kthe United States, Kentucky’s native freshwater fish diversity is exceeded only by Alabama and Tennessee. This high diversity of native fishes corresponds to an abun- dance of water bodies and wide variety of aquatic habitats across the state – from swift upland streams to large sluggish rivers, oxbow lakes, and wetlands. Approximately 25 species are most frequently caught by anglers either for sport or food. Many of these species occur in streams and rivers statewide, while several are routinely stocked in public and private water bodies across the state, especially ponds and reservoirs. The largest proportion of Kentucky’s fish fauna (80%) includes darters, minnows, suckers, madtoms, smaller sunfishes, and other groups (e.g., lam- preys) that are rarely seen by most people.