Our Rivers: So Much TTHEHE VVALUEALUE OFOF SSTREAMSIDETREAMSIDE FFORESTORESTSS // FFISHESISHES OFOF THETHE MMAHONINGAHONING RRIVERIVER More Than Water

The undisturbed forested land you see along the river, or riparian HIO S TREAMSIDE ORESTS HE ITAL ENEFICIAL ESOURCE enter the stream as a form of nonpoint pollution. Silt, as a pollutant, acts to degrade the O ’ S F : T V , B R MAINTAINING AQUATIC POPULATION zone (Prefix “ripa”- Latin, meaning aquatic environment in several ways resulting in a decline in the diversity and number of Streamside forests (riparian buffer zones) are highly productive and diverse “bank”), provides numerous, yet Forested banks help make streams suitable for many kinds of fish and other aquatic creatures. Tree roots aquatic animal species present. Silt settles out on the stream bottom smothering the insect systems which provide many important benefits. These benefits include maintaining often overlooked benefits to both help stabilize stream banks and provide cover for fish, crayfish and aquatic insects. Leaves and other vegetation larva and other aquatic invertebrates which are the food supply for many of the fish present in high water quality and providing habitats for a diverse population of wildlife and fish, wildlife and people. The riparian that fall into the stream constitute the primary food source for many aquatic organisms. the stream. Stream siltation also reduces spawning success by smothering fish spawning including some threatened and endangered species. However, few people realize the zone provides important habitat S Aquatic insect larvae, crayfish and other invertebrates break down the plant material into small particles. habitat. Heavy silt loads can also smother and kill aquatic vegetation which is also important overall importance and long-term effects of these forested buffer zones. The quality F where animals can find food and Bacteria and aquatic fungi also break down the leaf material into smaller pieces. This very fine plant material, in the life cycle of many species of fish and aquatic invertebrates. and productivity of our rivers and lakes have declined because their natural shelter year round. Just as known as detritus, is used as food by many characteristics have been altered. Suitable habitat is the single most important factor highways are important to humans small aquatic animals including insect larvae determining the existence of a diverse wildlife population. SING TREAMSIDE ORESTS FOR ECREATION traveling in cars from point “A” to such as caddisflies, stoneflies, mayflies and U S F R Forested buffer zones, along all waterways, act in many subtle ways to protect a point “B”, forested riverbanks are blackflies. Streamside forests are beneficial to people not only for maintaining biological diversity river’s environment. The character of Ohio’s rivers, streams and groundwater have equally important to birds and Minnows also eat detritus and small and water quality, but also because they provide other opportunities. Hunters will find a wide changed greatly over the last 200 years due to man’s activities. Forests and prairie Overhanging vegetation helps maintain proper water temperature and provides Aquatic life observation other creatures as they journey up insects. Larger gamefish species such as bass leaf litter as a food source for the aquatic environment. variety of game animals including white-tailed deer, rabbit, squirrel, raccoon, woodcock and in a tributary lands kept the streams narrower and deeper by holding the banks intact. The water and down the river. The riparian and sunfish eat the smaller fish as well as the wood duck. These species can thrive in Ohio because of the diverse variety of plants they utilize for their food and shelter requirements. was cooler and clearer and provided for a greater diversity of species. S zone is a sort of “natural highway” insects that fall into streams from overhanging The waterways alongside these forests provide anglers with a wide variety of fish. Inland rivers and streams usually contain large or small-mouth bass, sunfish, Tiling and draining of the land coupled with the loss of forested buffer zones has which provides animals a safe vegetation. The detritus that is not immediately used flows on downstream where it is available for use by other catfish and crappie. Riparian forests provide “living classrooms” for the study of nature, especially the life history and behavior of aquatic and terrestrial plants and caused our rivers and streams to run wider, shallower and more turbid. passageway through our cities, organisms. animals. These forests have a great variety of birds making them favorite sites for birdwatchers. Flooding was not as prevalent as it is today. The practice of straightening Ohio’s towns, and countrysides. Forested buffer zones also serve an important function in the moderation of summer water temperatures. streams removes vegetation and also causes water to flow much faster; thus Without the benefit of shading from streamside vegetation, water temperatures may increase, resulting in compounding the effects of flooding in downstream reaches. Riparian zones also improve the detrimental effects to the aquatic communities. As water temperatures rise, the amount of dissolved oxygen quality of our drinking water by present in the stream is reduced at the same time the demand for this dissolved oxygen by the aquatic organisms is REMEMBER THAT FOREST BUFFER ZONES: •Filter and reduce soil, nitrogen, phosphorous and other pollutants from functioning as a gigantic natural IMPROVING WATER QUALITY increased. If the oxygen demand by the aquatic community exceeds the amount present in the stream, a die-off of the fish and other aquatic organisms in the stream will occur. In Ohio, this situation is most likely to occur during entering bodies of water and thus greatly assist in controlling nonpoint water filter. Harmful rainstorm The purity of water in our lakes and streams can be protected from the effects of nonpoint source pollution by the presence of forested buffer strips late summer when temperatures are highest and streams are in low flow conditions. The lack of shade also allows source pollution. runoff from parking lots and roads along them. The trees and shrubs filter and trap sediments and absorb nonpoint pollutants from overland run-off and from the shallow groundwater zone. increased amounts of sunlight to enter the stream resulting in abnormal growths of aquatic algae, particularly may carry oil and other pollutants Two of the major pollutants are nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrients occur naturally in the environment and are essential for the growth and • Produce a variety of vegetation which provides habitat and food for many when coupled with the presence of excess nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen in the stream. As the in it, which the riparian zone development of all plants. However, an overabundance of either one will upset the delicate balance of the plant-nutrient-water relationship and can birds, animal and aquatic organisms. T aquatic algae dies, large amounts of dissolved oxygen are utilized in the decomposition further reducing the vegetation and soil can assist in actually become toxic to plants and animals. amount available to the rest of the aquatic community. • Provide recreational opportunities for hunters, anglers, hikers, campers, filtering before the runoff reaches Nitrogen and phosphorus are used extensively in chemical fertilizers. When people add too much Agricultural activities and urban Streamside forests are also critical in reducing stream siltation which often results from the erosion of croplands development have contributed to birdwatchers and other outdoor enthusiasts. the river. In addition, like a fertilizer to their lawns and fields, the excess flows to the nearest stream or lake or infiltrates the shallow ground the loss of streamside forests and enormous sponge, wetlands along and construction sites. The forest corridors act as sediment traps filtering out soil particles that would otherwise increased erosion. •Save landowners from excessive loss of valuable topsoil. water. When they occur in levels in excess of natural a river’s banks help to absorb and conditions in rivers and lakes, these nutrients cause retain floodwater after heavy rains an overabundance of algae growth. Excessive algae or snowmelts. This attribute also reduces light penetration which causes submerged helps in natural water filtration. aquatic plants to die. These plants are essential to fish and other aquatic organisms. Also, bacteria use THE MAHONING RIVER WATERSHED The many trees and plants growing vast amounts of oxygen to decompose the algae and wild along the riparian zone help a subsequent lack of available oxygen causes fish and Fishes of the Mahoning River and its tributaries - approximately 166 species of fish inhabit Ohio Waterways, with the well known game species (Bluegill, Bass, Walleye) comprising about 17% of the population. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency indicates that the : to stabilize erosion sensitive other aquatic organisms to die or relocate. Mahoning River watershed is home to well over 60 species of fish. This number was determined through various collection methods throughout the watershed. Shown below are just some of the many “lesser known indigenous species“ found. Some of these species are excellent riverbank soils. Much like the Preventing the excess nutrients from entering indicators of higher water quality. To lose them could indicate a loss of clean water resources. steel re-enforcement rods in waterways as nonpoint pollutants is an important F Fish kills can occur as a result of algae bloom, concrete highway bridges and caused by an excess of nutrients in rivers and lakes. function of forested buffer strips. They act as filters overpasses help to strengthen and by using the nutrients for growth. hold together the concrete, roots When nutrient-enriched water moves over the Sediment from trees and other vegetation soil, forest roots absorb large amounts of nutrients. TOLEDO along riverbanks serve a similar When the water moves below the surface, COMMON NAME: Pumpkinseed COMMON NAME: Warmouth COMMON NAME: White Sucker COMMON NAME: Rainbow Darter COMMON NAME: Mottled Sculpin function, in holding soil in place, denitrification takes place. ▲ ORESTS OTHER NAMES: Punkys OTHER NAMES: Dogfish, Toadfish Soil runoff CLEVELAND OTHER NAMES: Warmouth Bass OTHER NAMES: Gray Sucker OTHER NAMES: None thereby preventing soil erosion! Denitrification occurs when nitrogen in nitrates SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lepornis gibbosus SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lepomis gulosus SCIENTIFIC NAME: Catostomus commersoni SCIENTIFIC NAME: Etheostoma caeruleum SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cottus bairdi Trees along the river also provide changes to nitrogen gas. The moist soils in riparian shade, preventing the river’s water

areas contain high levels of organic matter (living and F from becoming too warm during dead plant materials) which is necessary for denitrifi- hot weather. Add to that, leaf litter oil particles are dispersed on the cation. Forested buffer strips also filter out phospho- WARREN Sharon falling into the water from these S forest floor and retained there. rous. Phosphorous is primarily attached to small soil Fun Facts about the Mahoning: Newton A forest buffer as narrow as 50 feet can remove the majority of nutrients from Falls Niles trees provides food and habitat for particles which move with surface water runoff. The Hubbard surface and subsurface flow. The Ohio Scenic Rivers Program recommends a COMMON NAME: Green Sunfish COMMON NAME: Bluntnose Minnow COMMON NAME: Northern Hog Sucker minimum buffer of 120 feet for both sediment removal and stream habitat • The Mahoning River basin drains COMMON NAME: Log Perch COMMON NAME: Johnny Darter many aquatic animals. These trees forest buffer is an effective sediment trap. Even Girard OTHER NAMES: Sunfish OTHER NAMES: None OTHER NAMES: None Phosphorus protection. OTHER NAMES: None OTHER NAMES: None approximately 1,073 square miles, SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lepornis cyanellus SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pimephales notatus SCIENTIFIC NAME: Hypentelium nigricans SCIENTIFIC NAME: Percina Caprodes SCIENTIFIC NAME: Etneostoma nigrum can also assist in cleaning the air Phosphorous applied narrow riparian forests strips on flat land are effective YOUNGSTOWN mostly in Mahoning and Trumbull we breathe! as fertilizer filters, particularly when adjacent to cropland. A strip Campbell Counties, which feed the main river. Canfield Struthers as narrow as 50 feet can remove the majority of nitrogen and phosphorus from surface and subsurface runoff. ONOR OF IGN Lowellville D S Most notably, the riparian zones However, wider buffer zones are more desirable for providing other benefits, such as wildlife habitat and flow • The Mahoning River originates southeast provide a wealth of recreational moderation of stormwater. of Alliance, Ohio. From there it flows north and educational opportunities for to Newton Falls, then arcs to the east and Sebring Alliance Columbiana people of all ages. Hiking, fishing, southeast, flowing through Leavittsburg, Salem COMMON NAME: Longear Sunfish COMMON NAME: Fathead Minnow COMMON NAME: Greenside Darter COMMON NAME: Creek Chub MAINTAINING WILDLIFE POPULATION bird watching, hunting, photogra- he forest serves as a sediment OTHER NAMES: None OTHER NAMES: None OTHER NAMES: None OTHER NAMES: Common Chub Warren, Niles, McDonald, Girard, SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lepomis megalotis SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pimephales promelas SCIENTIFIC NAME: Etheostoma blennioides TREAMSIDE SCIENTIFIC NAME: Semotilus atromaculatus T trap and at the same time, The riparian forests are not only vital in improving and maintaining water quality by acting as filters for Youngstown, Campbell, Struthers, and phy, canoeing and even swimming retains and utilizes phosphate onions. nonpoint pollutants, but they generally support a greater variety of wildlife than adjacent upland forests. The Lowellville, before entering Pennsylvania COLUMBUS are a few of the many activities variety of plants and habitats in riparian ecosystems are the main reason why they produce a greater diversity of to join the Shenango River in forming the ★ which can be enjoyed by those Nitrogen S wildlife. Beaver River. The Beaver empties into the who frequent riparian zones in

Nitrogen T S Many kinds of plants including grasses, public areas. When preserved as applied as Ohio River a few miles south of the town

shrubs, vines and trees grow well in the ’ much as possible, these streamside fertilizers of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. www.MahoningRiver.com moist and fertile soils of riparian forests. COMMON NAME: Black Crappie COMMON NAME: Striped Shiner COMMON NAME: Golden Shiner COMMON NAME: Central Stoneroller forests have also been shown to OTHER NAMES: Papermouth, Specks OTHER NAMES: Shiner Trees and shrubs are important for nesting OTHER NAMES: None OTHER NAMES: None enhance property values: Lush •The average discharge of the Mahoning River SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pomoxis nigromaculatus SCIENTIFIC NAME: Luxilus chrysocephalus SCIENTIFIC NAME: Notemigonus crysoleucas SCIENTIFIC NAME: Campostoma anomalum birds and other animals and produce an at Lowellville, Ohio, during the last 46 years, SOURCES AND SPECIAL forests and other habitats create abundance of food for wildlife. The has been 1,118 cubic feet per second. THANKS: areas that are highly desirable for

unbroken riparian forest also forms HIO marginal human settlement. • Ohio Department of Natural itrogen moves off-site via ground water and protective pathways for the safe movement N surface runoff. Streamside forests retain Resources / Division of Wildlife, of migration of animals. Turtles, river Forested riverbanks are scenic nitrogen through plant growth and denitrification. NOTE: The name “Mahoning” - Forestry and Natural Areas otters, beaver, muskrats and mink are just a O CINCINNATI believed to be derived from either & Preserves places year round, add visual few of the animals that thrive in riparian COMMON NAME: Gizzard Shad COMMON NAME: Emerald Shiner COMMON NAME: Golden Redhorse COMMON NAME: Common Shiner appeal to any urban and suburban the Native American word Mahoni, OTHER NAMES: Shad OTHER NAMES: Lake Shiner OTHER NAMES: None OTHER NAMES: None zones. Deer, squirrels, wood ducks and signifying “a lick,” or Mahonink, SCIENTIFIC NAME: Dorosoma cepedianum SCIENTIFIC NAME: Notropis atherinoides SCIENTIFIC NAME: Moxostoma erythrurum SCIENTIFIC NAME: Luxilus Cornutus • Ohio E.P.A. community, and are invaluable cottontail rabbits use the riparian vegetation for resources essential to our environ- “at the salt lick” •The North American Native food and shelter and the forests are home to mental, social, and economic Source: Howe, 1898 Fishes Association – hawks, owls, herons and songbirds. Temporary health. The best part of all of this, Rob Carillio pools formed in the riparian area are excellent www.nanfa.org is that no one is paying any extra breeding sites for frogs, toads and salamanders. Mahoning River taxes for all the above services Species of wildlife that require large • Milton B. Trautman’s provided courtesy of nature, and COMMON NAME: Blacknose Dace COMMON NAME: Southern Redbelly Dace COMMON NAME: Black Redhorse COMMON NAME: Banded Darter riparian forests generally are less common than The Fishes of Ohio Meander / Mosquito OTHER NAMES: None OTHER NAMES: None OTHER NAMES: None OTHER NAMES: None the streamside forests! species that inhabit “edge” areas where two SCIENTIFIC NAME: Rhinichthys atratulus SCIENTIFIC NAME: Phoxinus erythrogaster SCIENTIFIC NAME: Moxostoma duquesnei SCIENTIFIC NAME: Etneostoma zonale habitat types meet. The wider the riparian forest, Source of the Mahoning River: Watercress Marsh Mill Creek Please support riparian zone the greater the number and variety of birds and Other major tributaries not included: restoration efforts in your local other animals it will support. Yellow Creek and Eagle Creek. community!