Transcript UCA Presentation

Effects of Physical Habitat Alteration on Fish Communities in the Middle Fork
Saline River, AR.
Chad Blackburn, Lainy Burkard, Leslie Patrick, Sarah Scroggins, Richard Walker
Faculty Mentor: Ginny Adams
Environmental Science, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR 72035
Introduction
Riparian vegetation is a vital element of aquatic
ecosystems, providing bank stabilization, topsoil
filtration, habitat structure canopy cover, and
organic input necessary for aquatic species. The
Middle Fork Saline River provides an interesting
model to examine impacts of urban development
and human population growth on aquatic systems
due to its close proximity to Hot Springs Village.
The resulting loss of riparian zones, sedimentation,
and embeddedness in the river have negatively
altered the aquatic ecosystem. The objectives for
this study were to examine potential biotic and
physical habitat modification associated with
disturbance. This project was conducted in
conjunction with The Nature Conservancy to
provide repeatable, baseline data for a planned
restoration project.
High Impact Site
Low Impact Site
Methods
Sites were selected based on landowner relations
and potential for restoration by The Nature
Conservancy. They were then grouped based on
level of impact: high (2 and 3C) and low (3A, 3B,
and 8).
At each site a standard riffle habitat area (for an average
total of 105 m per site?) was sampled using a combination
of electroshocking, dip nets, and block-nets. Fishes were
collected in the field and returned to the laboratory for
identification.
Results
Central Stoneroller
Bigeye Shiner
Figure 1. Total rank abundance of fish communities for all five
sites in the Middle Fork Saline River. A total of 2,197
individuals, encompassing 8 families and 23 fish species were
collected. The two most abundant species found at all sites
were Central Stoneroller and Bigeye Shiner.
T-test: Ouachita Madtom abundance
P= 0.0244
Low impact (2 & 3C)
High impact (3A,3B,& 8)
Mean: 7.43 + 1.36
Mean: 2.46 + 1.20
Discussion
The Nature Conservancy categorized sites based on
level of impact using quantitative methods. In our
study we implemented more qualitative methods to
support categorization of high and low impacted
sites. We found ubiquitous species (e.g. Central
Stoneroller and Bigeye Shinner) as well as unique,
sensitive species (e.g. Ouachita Madtom and
Banded Darter). The Ouachita Madtom is an
endemic species whose abundance was significantly
lower in high impact sites. Based on our data, The
Nature Conservancy’s habitat restoration is expected
to increase the Ouachita Madtom’s abundance.
These baseline data will be utilized by the Nature
Conservancy for a comparison of fish communities
during and after restoration on the Middle Fork
Saline River.
Striped Shiner
Redspot Darter
Northern Studfish
Bluntnose Minnow
Greenside Darter
Longear Sunfish
Low Impact:
High Impact:
Sites 2 and 3C
Sites 3A, 3B and 8
Mean Habitat Score:
Mean Habitat Score:
96.34 ± 5.28
52.22 ± 4.42
P < 0.0001
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Joy DeClerk from The Nature
Conservancy, Ruth Bland, Kerri McCabe, Kate Howard, Luke
Driver, and Tommy Inebnit for support in the field. We would
also like to thank the land owners for allowing us to access the
study sites found on their land and Drs. Ginny and Reid Adams
for assistance and equipment.