Gap Analysis Program Ohio Aquatic Gap Analysis—An Assessment of the Biodiversity and Conservation Status of Native Aquatic Animal Species By S. Alex. Covert, Stephanie P. Kula, and Laura A. Simonson Open-File Report 2006–1385 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Mark D. Myers, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 2007 For product and ordering information: World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment: World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS Suggested citation: Covert, S.A., Kula, S.P., and Simonson, L.A., 2007, Ohio Aquatic Gap Analysis: An Assessment of the Biodiversity and Conservation Status of Native Aquatic Animal Species: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2006–1385, 509 p. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report. Contents Executive Summary...........................................................................................................................................1 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................5 Organization of Report..................................................................................................................................5 Gap Analysis Program Concept..................................................................................................................6 General Limitations of Gap Analysis Program..........................................................................................7 Ohio Aquatic GAP Study Area.....................................................................................................................7 2. Stream Classification and Mapping.........................................................................................................10 Stream Classification..................................................................................................................................10 Methods ........................................................................................................................................................10 Mapping Standards and Data Sources ...............................................................................................11 Developing Physical Habitat Types......................................................................................................11 Accuracy Assessment................................................................................................................................14 Results ...........................................................................................................................................................15 Limitations and Discussion ........................................................................................................................18 3. Predicted Animal Species Distributions and Species Richness ........................................................19 Mapping Standards.....................................................................................................................................19 Data Sources............................................................................................................................................19 Mapping Range Extent............................................................................................................................20 Methods ........................................................................................................................................................21 Species Known Occurrences................................................................................................................21 Species Habitat........................................................................................................................................25 Distribution Modeling..............................................................................................................................25 Assessment Units: 14-Digit Hydrologic Units (14-HUs)....................................................................37 Results ...........................................................................................................................................................39 Species Richness ........................................................................................................................................39 Accuracy Assessment................................................................................................................................45 Limitations and Discussion ........................................................................................................................45 Data Timeframe and Implications.........................................................................................................45 Extrapolation Method of Predicting Potential Distributions ............................................................46 Assessment Units: 14-Digit Hydrologic Units (14-HUs).....................................................................46 Additional Abandoned Modeling Methods.........................................................................................46 4. Land Stewardship........................................................................................................................................49 Mapping Standards.....................................................................................................................................50 Methods ........................................................................................................................................................51 Stewardship Mapping.............................................................................................................................51 Management Status Categorization.....................................................................................................53 Results ...........................................................................................................................................................54 iii Statewide Assessment ...........................................................................................................................54 Assessment by Ecoregion......................................................................................................................61 Limitations.....................................................................................................................................................63 5. Analysis Based on Stewardship and Management Status .................................................................64 Methods ........................................................................................................................................................64 Results ...........................................................................................................................................................65 Predicted Animal Species Distributions Analysis..............................................................................65 Species with distributions predicted to be completely outside of protected areas (status 1 or 2) ............................................................................................................................................74 Species with >0 to <1 percent of predicted distribution in status 1 or 2 .......................................75 Species with 1 to <10 percent of predicted distribution in status 1 or 2........................................77 Species with 10 to <20 percent of predicted distribution in status 1 or 2......................................77 Analysis of Ohio Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species...........................................................78 Physical Habitat Type Analysis.............................................................................................................79 Limitations and Discussion ........................................................................................................................79 6. Analysis Based on Aquatic Biodiversity .................................................................................................80 Methods ........................................................................................................................................................80 Species Richness ....................................................................................................................................80 Rare, Threatened, or Endangered (RTE)..............................................................................................90 Coldwater Assemblages.........................................................................................................................94 Results and Discussion ..............................................................................................................................94