River Ecosystems

What are River Ecosystems? Tennessee not only has the greatest Rare and Unique Plants and Animals Rivers are more than just the water diversity of freshwater fish species in Generally disregarded and unknown, flowing between their banks. The the country, but it also supports an non-game freshwater aquatic species health of the land surrounding rivers abundance of crayfish, mollusks, and are part of the web of life that directly affects the water quality and some aquatic insects. There are over supports the game species we enjoy the life that exists in and around 300 fish species in Tennessee, fishing for and eating and the wildlife them. Tennessee's rivers are home to 71 crayfish, 129freshwater mussels, we enjoy watching. Non-game fish a rich and diverse natural heritage and 96 freshwater snails. In fact, the species represent an important food and support a wealth of cultural Ohio River basin, which encompasses source for fishes, birds, and history, with important archaeological most of Tennessee, contains the mammals. Freshwater mussels are and historical sites. There are more world's richest diversity of freshwater filter feeders, acting like miniature than 15,000miles of tremendously mussels. The Nature Conservancy, in water purifiers. They capture and diverse rivers that flow across their report entitled Rivers of Life, remove large quantities of tiny algae the state. found that the center for aquatic and plankton that most other aquatic biodiversity is largely concentrated in animals cannot eat. They, in turn, Why are River Ecosystems the Tennessee, Cumberland, Ohio, become food for river otters, Important? and Mobile River basins, ofwhich muskrats, fishes, and other wildlife An extraordinary variety of aquatic sizeable portions of each flow through species. Crayfish are the scavengers creatures, largely unseen and Tennessee (Figure 1). They identified of the underwater world, feeding on unfamiliar to most people, is hidden numerous Tennessee River dead and decaying animals and beneath the shimmering surface of watersheds that are treasure-troves plants. They recycle decaying Tennessee's rivers. Though many of biologicaldiversity in critical need material into food for themselves and people are devoted to the beauty and of protection. In addition, they then become food for larger animals. recreational values of Etreams, creeks, identified the Clinch River, in Abundant and diverse aquatic insect and rivers, few of us know that northeastern Tennessee and populations often indicate that Tennessee's stream life is exceptional southwestern Virginia, as the most thriving populations of sport fishes, on a global level, even when compared biologically diverse river in the birds, and mammals are also present. with the Tropics. This remarkable United States. In fact, the Clinch and freshwater diversity should be a great Powell Rivers are home to the most Freshwater mussels, non-game source of pride for Tennesseans. endemic federally listed species of fishes, and aquatic insects are freshwater mussels remaining in sensitive to environmental and the world. chemical changes in our rivers and are waterways. Rivers also provide a can absorb some stresses but not on a excellent indicators of water quality. highway to transport our goods and continuing and increasing basis. Where there is a high diversity of generate electricity. Finally, common What we gain in the short term from aquatic species, there is also clean species of freshwater mussels from altering rivers to serve our needs may water for wildlife and people. Where the Tennessee, Cumberland, and Ohio come at the long-term expense of diversity and numbers of aquatic Rivers are at the center of a multi- river health and aquatic life. species has declined, there is generally million-dollar freshwater cultured trouble in the river and, thus, trouble pearl industry. Freshwater mussel Overall, species that depend on clean for the wildlife and people that use shells are used as the nucleus for water are in trouble. In fact, of all the the river. cultured pearls. animal groups in the United States, mollusks, non-game fishes, crayfish, Rivers also have significant, but often Threats to River Ecosystems and amphibians, are the most overlooked, economic values. Although Native Americans used imperiled. This far exceeds the loss of Tennesseans consider rivers and their mussels for food and fashioned mussel birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects. surrounding landscapes among the shells for tools and adornments, they Tennessee has the second highest state's most scenic areas. In fact, the had little impact on the freshwater number of freshwater species (66) beauty of a river can greatly affect the aquatic life of Tennessee's rivers. considered to be threatened or appeal and value of the surrounding However, as European settlers endangered in the United States. land. We use rivers not only for their moved into the area, river ecosystems life supporting values, like drinking were dramatically altered, and the To understand why aquatic species water and crop irrigation, but also for diverse river life that once flourished are declining so sharply, we must step recreation. The 1996Survey of began to decline. River ecosystems back and look at the big picture the Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife are dynamic systems that include all landscape. When we refer to rivers Associated Recreation found that living plants and animals and their and the surrounding land they drain, Tennesseans and visitors spent interactions with the nonliving parts, we call it a watershed. The 475 million dollars on fishing and such as the soil, climate, minerals, and watershed is an easy concept to other recreational activities related to water. These systems are flexible and understand if we just remember that water flows downhill and empties enormous habitat loss and decline of into common points -rivers. Think species, and channelization has caused Establish and maintain of the rain flowing offyour roof, the loss of recreational opportunities. down your gutter, down the street Impoundments have also stream-side buffers of trees, drain, into a small creek, into a permanently flooded important shrubs, and gra.')ses.Several stream, and, finally, into a river. historical and ecological resources. federa~ state and private Now think of this same concept on a The loss of forested riverbanks has programs are available to much larger scale, including caused property loss from stream agricultural land, forests, parks, banks that have eroded into rivers assist landowners, both shopping malls, and communities, all and habitat loss from eroding soil that technically and financially, in the same drainage area and all has turned gravel riverbeds into mud with restoring and protecting draining into the same river. The beds. Eroding soil enters our rivers, area of land that collects this run-off suffocating aquatic life and hindering stream-side buffers and is the watershed, or natural drainage their reproduction. Moreover, more eroding riverbanks. basin. Because water runs downhill, pollutants go directly into the river Implement and maintain changes in water flow,temperature, because there is no buffer of trees and measures for controlling and chemistry can be passed grass to filter them out. The throughout the watershed, nonnative zebra mussel is invading erosion and storm water negatively impacting miles and miles our rivers, clogging water intake during and after land- of a river and gallons and gallons of pipes, and suffocating and out- clearing and disturbance water. Therefore, human activities competing native aquatic life for food activities. Be careful with the directly up slope or upstream may and space. affect stream life and water quality use and disposal of for the neighbors downstream. When rivers are polluted, everyone is fertilizers, pesticides, and affected. Pollution from a pipe or other chemicals. Remember, sediment from an eroding riverbank what you put on your land or What are the human activities that causes obvious problems for people are adversely affecting our rivers living downstream and for everyone dump down the drain may and river life? They are varied and else. This results in higher eventually end up in nearby come from many activities, like non- maintenance costs that water waters. Support loca~ state, point source pollution, which includes treatment plants charge for cleaning residential, construction, municipal, dirty, polluted water. Polluting a and national clean water and commercial storm-water run-off watershed is like trashing a legislation. Report illegal and agricultural run-off (containing neighborhood-it's unsightly dumping activities and sediment, pesticides, herbicides, and and costly! erosion problems. Recycle fertilizers); impoundments; as much as you can, deforestation of river banks; channel What is Being Done to Protect alterations; and the invasion of These Rare Places? eliminating the needfor new nonnative species. These threats Communities are banding together landfills. Get involved with a directly and indirectly affect our with public and private agencies to local water conservation natural and cultural heritage, and, protect and restore rivers in their ultimately, public health and our watershed. Working together, group and participate in a quality of life. communities are able to support and stream or river cleanup. make greater improvements on the Volunteer to monitor water Ten percent of Tennessee's rivers ground. Livestock owners are quality in local rivers for are of such poor quality that they do helping to reduce the amount of soil not meet their designated uses, and that enters our rivers by fencing your county water authority. 110miles are actually posted to stream banks, which prevents warn against any human contact. livestock from trampling streambeds Twenty percent of the Tennessee and shorelines. In many cases these River system has been impounded, actions can improve the health and and most of the rivers ofwest productivity of the land. Many crop Tennessee have been turned into farmers and gardeners are helping by straight-line drainage ditches. Both using the best management practices of these activities have resulted in recommended by the state when applying fertilizers and by maintaining wide vegetated buffer strips along rivers. Many home builders and others involved in construction are helping to stabilize soils exposed during building activities so that the amount of soil washing into the river is minimized. City planners are helping when they implement ways to slow storm-water run-off into natural waterways. Homeowners and managers of recreational land are pitching in to protect water quality by maintaining native plants along the river and by reducing the amount of fertilizers and pesticides used on their lawns. By working together we can improve our rivers and maintain our rich cultural and natural heritage for our use and enjoyment today and tomorrow.

Seeing is Believing! Tennessee is lucky to have an abundance of rivers. Take some time to check out a river near you!

Tennessee Watershed Map (Figure 1)

Conasauga 0.5%

Prepared by the Tennessee Rivers Assessment Project

In Tennessee, watersheds are grouped into five large drainage basins. Basins are simply a way of grouping watersheds together based upon the water's destination. Most of the water in Tennessee empties into the Tennessee (55%),Cumberland (22.5%),and Mississippi (21%) River basins. A small amount of water also empties into the Ohio river basin by way of the Barren River in Kentucky and the Mobile River basin by way of the Conasauga River in Georgia. Which watershed do you live in and which river basin does your watershed empty into? Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus)

You Can Help! Status Role in the Ecosystem The pallid sturgeon was listed as All species of sturgeon are an integral Remember, what we put endangered on September 6, 1990. part of the aquatic food web. People on the land may eventually in particular enjoy caviar (sturgeon Description eggs) and eating sturgeon meat ofthe enter the streams! Tell a The pallid sturgeon is a large, long- more common sturgeon species. friend about the pallid lived freshwater fish. It has a sturgeon. Reduce water flattened, shovel-shaped snout and Threats consumption. Protect water five rows of bony plates along the The channelization of rivers and body. The pallid sturgeon is lighter in construction of reservoirs have quality. Participate in a color and grows larger than most drastically altered nearly 80 percent local river cleanup. Use other sturgeons. It has a toothless of the pallid sturgeon's range. The biodegradable soaps. mouth on the underside of its head. It remaining habitat occurs below dams is one of the largest freshwater fish and is affected by decreased water Control erosion on your species in North America; adults can temperatures, reduced silt loads, and property, and report erosion weigh up to 65 pounds. altered water run-off patterns. These sources. Watch for and factors also prevent the fish from report illegal dumping Habitat swimming to their spawning grounds. Pallid sturgeons live in large, High levels of pollutants along streams and rivers. turbid, free-flowing riverine and over-harvesting have also Plant or maintain native ecosystems. They are usually found affected the pallid sturgeon. vegetation along near the bottoms of streams or lakes streams. Take pride in in sand flats or gravel bars. The Recovery pallid sturgeon is almost entirely Eleven states within the pallid Tennessee's wildlife! restricted to the Missouri and lower sturgeon's range have some Mississippi Rivers. regulations that prohibit taking the fish. Commercial fishing has been life History discontinued or restricted in many The pallid sturgeon feeds on small areas on the Mississippi and fishes, aquatic insect larvae, and Missouri Rivers. mollusks. Spawning takes place in spring or summer. Little else is known about the life of the pallid sturgeon. Cumberland Monkeyface Pearlymussel (Quadrula intermedia)

Status silt from the water and serve as a food The Cumberland monkeyface source for fishes, otters, raccoons, Remember, what we put pearlymussel was listed as turtles, and muskrats. endangered on June 14, 1976. on the land may eventually Threats enter the streams! Tell a Description Cumberland monkeyface friend about the Cumberland The Cumberland monkeyface pearlymussels are threatened monkeyface pearlymussel. pearlymussel is a medium-sized (3to primarily by the alteration and 4 - inches) mussel. It has two bowl- destruction of their stream habitats. Reduce water consumption. shaped shells joined together by a The construction of dams, gravel Protect water quality. fleshy hinge. The surface of the shell dredging, strip mining, and pollution Prevent nonpoint source is covered with small bumps. The have all contributed to the decline of pollution. Participate in a shell color is brownish-yellow with this species. Pollution from coal triangular green markings. The mining and other sources of nonpoint local stream or river cleanup. inside of the shell varies in color from source pollution kill freshwater Use biodegradable soaps. salmon to pearly white. mussels. Silt from erosion and poor Control erosion on your land-use practices clogs the mussels' property, and report erosion Habitat gills and smothers them. The spread The Cumberland monkeyface of exotic species, such as the zebra sources. Watch for and pearlymussel is typically found mussel and the Asian clam, is also a report illegal dumping along living in clean, fast-flowing streams threat to freshwater mussels; they springs and streams. with gravel and sandy bottom use up valuable space in freshwater Plant or maintain native habitats. This species occurs within mussel habitat. Zebra mussels also only three rivers in Tennessee - the attach themselves to the shells of vegetation alongside Duck, Powell, and Elk. It also occurs native mussels, covering and streams. Take pride in in Virginia and Alabama. eventually suffocating them. Tennessee's wildlife! Life History Recovery Fertilized mussel eggs develop into Recovery goals include the reduction larvae, called glochidia. One female of factors that have contributed to the may produce hundreds of thousands decline of freshwater mussels. of glochidia. These tiny, bean-shaped Research is needed to determine the glochidia attach themselves to the biological needs of the Cumberland gills of fishes and cling there for a monkeyface pearlymussel. time while they develop into adults. Once this change is completed, the tiny mussels drop to the stream bottom. Adult mussels are filter feeders; they consume tiny creatures by pumping and filtering water through their gills. Using their single "foot," they can move short distances along the streambed. Freshwater mussels can live as long as 50 years.

Role in the Ecosystem The presence of the Cumberland monkeyface pearlymussel and other freshwater mussels indicates good water quality. Mussels help remove Smoky Madtom (Noturus baileyi)

Remember, what we put on the land may eventually enter the streams! Tell a friend about the smoky madtom. Avoid disturbing stream rocks along Citico and Abrams Creeks; a smoky madtom may be hiding underneath! Protect water quality. Participate in a local stream cleanup. Use biodegradable soaps. Plant Status and are prey for sport fishes, birds, or maintain native The smoky madtom was listed as and other wildlife. They are also vegetation along springs and endangered on October 26, 1984. important indicators of water quality streams. Reduce water and ecosystem health. Description consumption. Take Pride in The smoky madtom is a light brown Threats Tennessee's v.rildlife! catfish that grows to be about The limited distribution of the smoky 3 inches long. It has a relatively madtom makes it very vulnerable to large, rounded head and small eyes. extinction. Logging, mining, road and Four dark, saddlelike markings cross bridge construction and maintenance, its back. Like other catfish species, mineral exploration, and other the smoky madtom has "whiskers." projects within the watershed are all potential threats to this species and Habitat and Biology its habitat. It is thought that much of The smoky madtom is restricted to the smoky madtom's historical range only about 6 miles of Citico Creek in was destroyed by dam and reservoir the Cherokee National Forest in construction on the Little Tennessee Tennessee. This secretive fish lives in River; poor forestry practices were shallow riffles underneath palm-sized also a contributing factor. slab rocks. During colder months the fish moves to shallow pools but still Recovery spends most of its time under small Smoky madtom recovery efforts are slab rocks. The smoky madtom eats underway. Researchers collect small insect larvae and may feed by smoky madtom eggs and young from picking up food items from the stream Citico Creek each spring and rear the bottom. The smoky madtom spawns young in captivity. Each fall they are in late spring and early summer. returned to Citico Creek to help There are 30 to 40 eggs in a cluster, increase that population. They are which are deposited under large flat also placed into Abrams Creek within rocks. Male smoky madtoms remain the Great Smoky Mountains National at the nest site to guard the eggs and Park, where the smoky madtom once newly hatched young. lived. For some good news about the smoky madtom, see the success Role in the Ecosystem story-Abram's Creek: Nongame fish species like the smoky Reintroduction of Four Listed madtom are a critical ecologicallink in Fishes-found in this guide. the food chain. They feed on insects Nashville Crayfish (Orconectes shoupi)

Status Threats The Nashville crayfish was listed as The Nashville crayfish is a hardy Remember, what we put on endangered on October 24, 1986. species. It has survived stream the land may eventually channelization, stream-side Description vegetation removal, trash along the enter the streams! Tell a The Nashville crayfish can grow to a banks of Mill Creek, soil erosion and siltation, and toxic chemical spills. No friend about the Nashville length of 7 inches and has large claws with orange and black tips. The body species can endure such treatment crayfish. Avoid disturbing forever; thus, this species is now covered, vegetated areas color of this crayfish is variable, with light saddlelike markings over the end~ngered. Should habitat quality along Mill Creek. Protect back and down the sides. contmue to decrease, the species' water quality. Participate in chances of survival are slim. a local stream cleanup. Use Habitat The Nashville crayfish lives only Recovery biodegradable soaps. Plant Recovery goals include limiting or maintain native in Mill Creek, partly in a highly urbanized area of the city of further siltation and pollution in the vegetation alongside springs Nashville. It lives in a wide variety of Mill Creek watershed. More research and streams. Reduce water stream habitats from pools to riffles in is needed to determine the biological areas where stream-bank vegetation needs and life history of the consumption. Take pride in Nashville crayfish. has not been removed. The Nashville Tennessee's wildlife! crayfish spends the day hiding, usually under rocks and vegetation. Crayfish are opportunistic eaters and feed on a wide variety of both plant and animal material. Little is known about the life history of this rare species.

Role in the Ecosystem Crayfish serve as important links in the food chain, feeding on plants, invertebrates, and dead fishes, while serving as food for sport fishes, birds, and other wildlife species. They are also indicators of environmental quality and health, flourishing in clean water and perishing in polluted water. Did you know that in the Southeast nearly 75,000 tons of crayfish, with an estimated value of $50 million, are farmed in ponds or trapped from wetlands to be sold as gourmet food!