Relationships between fish assemblages and habitat characteristics in Iowa’s non‐wadeable rivers

Abstract Non‐wadeable river systems are some of the most diverse aquatic ecosystems, but little work has been conducted to quantify the relationships between fish assemblages and habitat characteristics in them. In 2007 and 2008, 21 reaches were sampled on 16 non‐wadeable rivers across Iowa, USA. Fish were sampled in each reach with three different gears, and habitat characteristics (channel morphology, current velocity, instream cover) were measured using standard procedures. Fish assemblages were structured based on drainage basin and reaches and could be categorised as belonging to one of three groups. Reaches in the Missouri River basin group were narrow and had a high proportion of fine substrate. Reaches in the Mississippi River A group were also narrow but had a high proportion of large rocky substrate. Reaches in the Mississippi River B group tended to be wider, deeper and have higher proportions of fine substrate than the other groups. Fish assemblages were closely related to habitat characteristics and reflected differences among the three groups. Results of this study suggest that stream geomorphology may have a substantial influence on fish assemblage structure in large rivers.     

Seasonal and spatial bank habitat use by fish in highly altered rivers – a comparison of four different restoration measures

Pander J, Geist J. Seasonal and spatial bank habitat use by fish in highly altered rivers – a comparison of four different restoration measures.
Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 127–138. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S
Abstract –  River regulations have resulted in substantial modifications of the characteristics and the diversity of stream ecosystems. Fish habitat use in the context of species life histories and temporal habitat dynamics are crucial for the development of sustainable measures of habitat restoration in degraded rivers. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of introducing four different in-stream structures (bank ripp-rapp, benched bank ripp-rapp, successively grown riparian wood and artificial dead wood, nine replicates each) on the seasonal fish community distribution in a heavily modified stream ecosystem. Species richness and diversity, fish biomass and density showed strong variation (i) between habitat types, (ii) among replicates of the same habitat type, and (iii) in different seasons. The current low abundance of historical widespread rheophilic and migratory fish species in the study stream suggests that technical bank habitat restoration measures are only of limited use for the restoration of highly specialised target species in conservation such as Barbus barbus and Chondrostoma nasus . However, introduction of particular artificial stream structures (in particular of artificial dead-wood fascines) was found to concentrate biomass and density of none-specialised fish species like Squalius cephalus , Alburnus alburnus , Gobio gobio or Rutilus rutilus .     

Spatial and temporal patterns in fish communities along the Illinois River

Abstract –  Fish abundance data from a fish population study (1957–2000) on the Illinois River, IL, USA were used to assess community structure. There was considerable variability among reaches and years, but three distinct fish communities were identified encompassing both temporal and spatial aspects. Temporal community shifts in the upper half of the river created two distinct fish communities, one prior to 1983 and the other after 1983. This is believed to be in response to improved water quality, albeit the responses were delayed for several years after policy implementation. The third group (Lower River) was spatially separated from the two upper river groups. These differences may reflect a combination of water quality (e.g., pollution) and habitat issues (e.g., geomorphology), common to many regulated rivers. Fish community responses in larger rivers may have considerable temporal lags after implementation of management or restoration activities that warrant strong consideration during any planning process.     

Size-related habitat use by bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus) in a regulated lowland river

Abstract  – Habitat use by four size-classes of bitterling ( Rhodeus sericeus ) in a regulated lowland river was studied at two spatial scales. Mesohabitat scale was represented by the bank type (boulder, beach and steep eroded bank). Microhabitat associations with substrate types, vegetation, woody debris and position in the stream were examined at each mesohabitat scale. Three size cohorts of young-of-the-year (0+) fish and a group of adult bitterling were detected. Univariate ( χ ²-tests) and multivariate (Outlying Mean Index analysis) methods were applied to determine size-related habitat associations. All the size-classes of bitterling avoided the steep eroded bank and most 0+ bitterling were distributed along the boulder bank. The smallest fish had the most pronounced habitat requirements and occurred mostly in the depositional areas, whereas the larger 0+ fish occurred in deeper water. The size-related change in the habitat use coincided with a change in diet and morphological state.     

Observations on the natural history of the Gulf of Mexico sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus de sotoi Vladykov 1955) in the Suwannee River, southeastern United States

From 1986 to 1994, we collected 3,098 Gulf of Mexico sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus de sotoi) during their spring migration from the Gulf of Mexico to the Suwannee River, Florida. We estimated population size and described migratory and seasonal growth patterns of sturgeon in the Suwannee River, using data from tag returns, movement of ultrasonic-lagged fish and weight records. Population size estimates for 3.0- to 81.0-kg Gulf of Mexico sturgeon in the Suwannee River ranged from 1,504 to 3,066 fish. Sturgeon migrated from the Gulf of Mexico into the Suwannee River from mid-February to early May. Fish moved upstream and remained within a 2-km upstreamdownstream “home” area. These sites were closely associated with undenvater springs that discharge into the river. Sturgeon migrated downstream and into the Gulf of Mexico in October and November. In the Gulf of Mexico, ultrasonic-tagged fish were located in the Suwannee Sound area just north of Cedar Key, Florida. On an annual basis, fish gained an average of 20% of their body weight while in the Gulf of Mexico and lost about 12% of their weight during their stay in the Suwannee River. We observed movement of tagged sturgeon between the Suwannee and Apalachicola Rivers.     

Density of juvenile brown trout and Atlantic salmon in natural and man-made riverine habitats

The density of juvenile brown trout (Sulmo trutta L.) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) was significantly higher along river bank areas protected against erosion than along natural river banks in the River Gaula, Central Norway. A habitat shift appeared in Atlantic salmon, and a behavioural shift was demonstrated by brown trout from August October. The effect of habitat on densities of juvenile salmonids should be taken into account as mitigation measures on eroded river banks and when assessing fish production in rivers.     

Priority habitats for the conservation of large river fish in the Ganges river basin

• 1. Three classes of habitat used by groups of fish species classified as conservation and management priorities were developed for the Gerua River (also known as the Girwa River, Karnali River) in the Ganges river basin. This river is large (mean annual discharge ca 1500 m³ s^?1, up to 900 m wide), surrounded by protected lands of India and Nepal, and upstream of major diversions and river alterations.
• 2. Fish and habitat sampling was conducted at 45 sites from 2000 to 2003. Data were analysed for 2172 fish of 14 species. Species and life stages found occupying a statistically distinct subset of the river habitats were grouped to identify classes of river habitat for conservation.
• 3. Most species and life‐stage groups specialized on specific habitat conditions revealed by multivariate analyses of variance and a principal component analysis. The most numerous and diverse group (six species, 15 life stages) was associated with deep depositional habitats with sandy substrate. Two species covering three life stages were primarily oriented to erosional habitat marked by fast current velocity with pebble and cobble substrate. A third group of three species of adults and juveniles were intermediate in habitat use.
• 4. River conservation for fish faunas should maintain both erosional and depositional channel habitats with depths, substrates, and current velocity inclusive of the ranges reported. The erosional and depositional nature of the key habitats requires that rivers be maintained with flows capable of channel‐forming functions.

Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

赤水河河源段栖息地现状评价及修复对策探讨

开展赤水河河源段重点鱼类优先保护排序及河道栖息地健康评价,为赤水河鱼类保护和栖息地修复提供参考。以赤水河河源段为研究区域,设置18个采样点,于2021年11月、2022年4月进行调查。综合考虑区域内小水电拆除对鱼类栖息地的影响,依据AHP-熵权法,筛选了金沙鲈鲤、青石爬鮡、圆口铜鱼、岩原鲤、昆明裂腹鱼、长薄鳅6种优先保护鱼类,构建基于河流地貌特征、水文、水质及鱼类等4方面的河道栖息地健康评价指标体系,建立多尺度赤水河河源段栖息地综合评价标准。评价结果显示该河段仅30%河道栖息地为较好状况,50%河道栖息地处于一般状况,20%河道栖息地处于较差状况。小水电拆除可以有效恢复鱼类栖息地,但其质量仍需进一步提升,结合研究区栖息地现状评估结果,可采取河道清理、卵砾石注入、河段平面形态修复、砾石群修复、构建生态丁字坝等5种修复措施。     

A Short-term Study of the Effects of a Habitat Improvement Programme on the Distribution and Abundance of Fish Stocks in a Small Lowland River in Shropshire

Following the implementation of an experimental habitat improvement programme in the River Perry, a small lowland river in Shropshire, using low dams, current deflectors and artificial cover structures, marked changes in fish distribution and abundance were recorded in some study sections which appeared to be related to the effects of the improvement structures in recreating natural river features such as the pool-riffle pattern. Over the site as a whole, the population densities of dace and chub increased from means of 325 fish ha^?1 and 229 fish ha^?1 in the year before habitat improvement to means of 568 fish ha^?1 and 313 fish ha^?1 in the year following habitat improvement, increases of 75 and 37% respectively. Similarly, standing crops of dace and chub increased from pre-improvement means of 19.7 kg ha^?1 and 66.6 kg ha^?5 to post-improvement means of 25.8 kg ha^?1 and 83.0 kg ha^?1, increases of 31 and 25% respectively. Distribution mapping studies revealed considerable fish relocation following habitat improvement, with large concentrations of fish being recorded in the vicinity of the improvement structures. It is concluded that the improvement programme was successful in partially mitigating the adverse effects on the fishery of previous land drainage river channel works.     

Larval and early juvenile fish dynamics in main channel and backwater lake habitats of the Illinois River ecosystem

The spatial and temporal complexity of large river ecosystems likely promotes biological diversity within riverine larval fish assemblages. However, the focus of most previous riverine studies of larval fish distribution has tended to concentrate mainly on backwater habitats. There has been less focus on the value of the main channel for larval fishes. We sampled two habitats types (three main channel sites and three backwater lakes) along 20 km of the Illinois River ecosystem during 2 years to compare the larval fish distribution along both spatial and environmental gradients between these habitats. Across the 2 years of this study, we found similar trends in the spatial and temporal distribution of larval fish, although there were some differences in densities between years. The relative abundance and size of many of the different fish taxa varied among habitats. Centrarchids, clupeids, poeciliids, cyprinids (excluding common carp) and atherinids were more abundant within backwater lake habitat. In contrast, common carp (Cyprinus carpio), sciaenids, moronids and catostomids were more abundant in main channel habitats. Furthermore, sciaenid and clupeid larvae captured in the backwater lake habitat were larger as the season progressed than those captured in the main channel. Our study suggests that larval fish show habitat specialisation, similar to adults, indicating that both the backwater lakes and the main channel are both important for larval fish and preserving the diversity of the fish assemblages in large floodplain rivers.     

Movement ecology of imperilled fish in a novel ecosystem: River‐reservoir movements by razorback sucker and translocations to aid conservation

1. Reservoirs and associated river fragments are novel ecosystems not experienced by fishes in their evolutionary history, yet they are now commonplace across the globe. Understanding how fishes use these novel habitats is vital to conservation efforts in contemporary riverscapes.
2. Movement patterns of the endangered razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) synthesized from tagging efforts in the upper Colorado River basin, USA, illustrate the applications of tagging technology and data sharing by multiple agencies to better understand the spatial ecology of large river fishes.
3. Tagging studies between 2014 and 2018 in Lake Powell and its two main tributary rivers, the Colorado (unfragmented) and San Juan (waterfall‐fragmented), were used to quantify movement of razorback sucker within this river–reservoir habitat complex. In addition, facilitated translocations of fish upstream of a waterfall barrier in the San Juan River were assessed in 2016–2017.
4. Extensive movement of fish occurred within and across river and reservoir habitats. Of 722 fish captured in the Colorado River arm of Lake Powell, 36% of re‐encounters occurred upstream in the Colorado or Green rivers, or fish dispersed through the reservoir and were detected in the San Juan River arm. Fourteen fish moved more than 600 km. In the San Juan arm of the reservoir, 29% and 20% of fish in 2017 and 2018, respectively, had moved ~30–40 km upstream below the waterfall in the San Juan River within a year. In 2016–2017, 303 fish were translocated upstream of the waterfall into the San Juan River, but 80% were re‐encountered downstream of the waterfall within a year.
5. Long‐distance movements by razorback sucker were common within and among rivers and reservoirs illustrating how large river fish, in general, might maintain population connectivity in highly altered ecosystems.

     

Seasonal variation in the habitat available for 0+ Rutilus rutilus (L.) in a regulated river

1. Habitat availability for 0+ Rutilus rutilus (L.) was determined at four sites in the regulated River Great Ouse, Eastern England, using a modified version of the Instream Flow Incremental Methodology. Discharge–habitat relationships were then calculated using a modified version of the Physical Habitat Simulation (PHABSIM) computer package. A weighted usable area (WUA) time series was generated using the discharge–habitat models. 2. Habitat availability varied between sites and with discharge, although at three of the four sites some suitable habitat remained throughout the year. In general, more habitat was available for juvenile fishes than for young larval fishes and during the winter. 3. As discharge increased habitat availability decreased, primarily as a result of increased velocity and depth. This was exacerbated by the trapezoidal shape of the main channel. In a marina, which was thought to be acting as a flood refuge, WUA decreased as a result of increasing water depth. Only in a modified backwater did WUA increase with discharge. Owing to the morphology of the backwater, there was still a WUA minimum at intermediate discharges. 4. The output of the model indicates the variation in habitat available for small fish in both temporal and spatial dimensions, and reinforces the requirement for spatial heterogeneity in riverine habitats for the preservation of fish stocks. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Associations between hydrological connectivity and resource partitioning among sympatric gar species (Lepisosteidae) in a Texas river and associated oxbows

Abstract –  The middle Brazos River, located in east-central Texas, is a meandering lowland river with many oxbow lakes on its flood plain. Flood dynamics of the Brazos River are aseasonal, and faunal exchange during lateral connections of the main river channel and oxbows is pulse-like and occurs only during floods that may be months or years apart. Patterns of resource use among sympatric gar species ( Lepisosteus oculatus , Lepisosteus osseus and Atractosteus spatula ) associated with river–flood plain connectivity were studied for a period of 2 years (May 2003 to May 2005). The first year was relatively dry yielding few lateral connections, whereas the second year was relatively wet resulting in more frequent lateral connections. This study focused on habitat and diet partitioning among the three gar species in oxbow habitats with different connection frequencies and an active river channel site. Overall, 684 gars were collected with experimental gillnets: 19 A. spatula (alligator gar), 374 L. oculatus (spotted gar) and 291 L. osseus (longnose gar). There was strong partitioning of habitat between spotted and longnose gars, in which 98% of spotted gars were captured in oxbow habitats and 84% of longnose gars were captured in the river channel. Hydrology did not appear to affect habitat partitioning, although longnose gar abundance significantly increased in oxbows during the wet year. Diet overlap was high between spotted and longnose gars. Temporal variation in diet was significantly influenced by flood pulses that connected oxbows with the river channel, and which allowed predators and their prey to move between habitats.     

River flooding and reproduction of migratory fish species in the Magdalena River basin,Colombia

Jiménez‐Segura LF, Palacio J, Leite R. River flooding and reproduction of migratory fish species in the Magdalena River basin, Colombia.
Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 178–186. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – In most tropical rivers subject to a single‐yearly flooding, migratory fish usually spawn in the onset of the flooding and larvae drift to their nursery habitats. To define when the migratory fish species reproduce, its relationship with the water level and when nursery areas in floodplain lakes are supplied with ichthyoplankton in the Magdalena River, a two‐yearly peak flooding river, we sampled the ichthyoplankton weekly throughout 2 years. The fish species Pseudoplatystoma magdaleniatum, Prochilodus magdalenae, Leporinus muyscorum, Sorubim cuspicaudus and Curimata mivartii spawn twice a year in the main channel and its larvae input into the floodplain lakes are not always associated with flooding. Spawning in the main channel and larvae inputs into the floodplain lakes suggest that the habitat used by the migratory fishes may be consistent with some hypotheses on habitats used by these fishes.     

Initial response of a floodplain lake fish community to water-level stabilisation

Abstract –  Many floodplain lake fish communities have been influenced by large-scale shifts in processes of water-level stability that degrade habitat quantity and quality. Efforts to restore rivers and their floodplains have recently taken a priority yet many restoration approaches are in their developmental stages and potentially controversial. We measured fish community changes in response to a water stabilisation technique in an Illinois River floodplain lake, achieved by levee renovations in 1997, using data collected prior to (1991–1993) and after (2000–2002) stabilisation. Our results indicate fish community composition (presence/absence) showed little variability and did not differ ( R  = 0.037; P  = 0.60) between the two time periods; whereas, fish community structure (abundance) differed ( R  > 0.50; P  ≤ 0.10). Increased abundances of desirable species like gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum (Lesueur), white crappie Pomoxis annularis (Rafinesque), black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus (Lesueur) and largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides (Lacepede), coupled with declines of less desirable species like common carp Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus) contributed to community changes. These changes suggest positive responses to water stabilisation practices that may act as an intermediate step in restoring river–floodplain function in certain situations.     

Fish assemblage dynamics in an intermittent river of the northern Australian wet–dry tropics

Intermittent rivers make up a large portion of the global river network and are the dominant river type in northern Australia. Increased pressure is being placed on such systems, and a better understanding of their ecology is needed. We examined, over a 7‐year period, the fish fauna of the intermittent Fergusson River, a major tributary of the Daly River of the northern Australia. Changes in habitat structure with the onset of the dry season involved contraction of the riffle/run/pool habitat to a single refugial pool, the size of which was determined by antecedent wet season hydrology. The fishes present comprised a subset of species present within the Daly River main channel and consisted of the most widely distributed of northern Australia's freshwater fishes. The Fergusson River provides suitable spawning habitat for species during the wet season (e.g. Hephaestus fuliginosus, Leiopotherapon unicolor and Neosilurus catfishes) and during the dry season for a different set of species (e.g. Amniataba percoides, Melanotaenia australis and Glossogobius aureus). Little year‐to‐year variation in assemblage structure was observed early in the dry season, whereas interannual variation in late dry season assemblages was substantial. Dry season recruitment imparted some of the interannual variability in assemblage structure recorded between late dry season samples. Piscivorous fishes were an important, but temporally variable, component of the assemblage present in the late dry season refugial habitat, and predation was potentially another important source of variation in assemblage structure.     

Quantifying the effectiveness of regional habitat quality index models for predicting densities of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

Abstract –  The suitability of using regional Habitat Quality Index (HQI) models for predicting distributions of juvenile salmon ( Salmo salar L.) was examined using data acquired from selected rivers within Québec, Canada. Regional HQI models were derived by identifying preferences of salmon fry and parr for the habitat properties of flow velocity, water column depth and granulometric index (an index of substrate size) for groups of rivers. These were compared with local HQI models, derived from preferences for habitat properties within individual rivers. Relationships between HQI values and densities of juvenile salmon were established through the use of nonlinear regression. In all cases, the regional HQI models were less effective for explaining distributions of juvenile salmon than local HQI models based on individual rivers. Regional HQI models were relatively ineffective when the habitat characteristics of the river to which they were applied differed greatly from the characteristics of the other rivers within the region. It is inferred that the relationship between the effectiveness of the regional HQI model and the difference in characteristics between individual rivers and those of the region may be used in an a priori determination of whether a regional HQI may be applied effectively to any given river.     

湟水流域水生态保护与修复研究

研究湟水流域水生态现状和保护与修复措施,加强湟水流域水生态保护,维持黄河尤其是黄河上游流域及青藏高原和黄土高原-川滇生态屏障生态安全。湟水干流、大通河梯级开发集中,河流纵向连通性遭到严重破坏,且大部分水电站是引水式小水电站,枯水期水电站下游河道脱流现象严重,河流水流连续性及横向连通性遭到破坏,河流生态功能严重下降。根据国家及黄河流域对湟水流域生态保护定位及要求,在湟水流域水生态状况评价及问题识别的基础上,明确各区域(河段)水生态保护目标,提出了湟水上中下游水生态保护与修复总体布局、重要断面生态需水指标及保障措施和重要湿地、重要鱼类栖息地等保护与修复措施体系。     

Habitat use and population structure of four native minnows (family Cyprinidae) in the upper Missouri and lower Yellowstone rivers, North Dakota (USA)

Abstract – In 1997 and 1998, sampling was conducted on the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers, North Dakota, to obtain information on the distribution, abundance, and habitat use of the flathead chub (Platygobio gracilis Richardson), sicklefin chub (Macrhybopsis meeki Jordan & Evermann), sturgeon chub (Macrhybopsis gelida Girard), and western silvery minnow (Hybognathus argyritis Girard), four declining fish species (family Cyprinidae) native to the Missouri River basin, USA. The study area consisted of four distinct river segments near the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers – three moderately altered segments that were influenced by a main‐stem dam and one quasi‐natural segment. One moderately altered segment was located at the confluence of the two rivers (mixing‐zone segment (MZS)). The other two moderately altered segments were in the Missouri River adjacent to the MZS and extended up‐river (above‐confluence segment (ACS)) and down‐river (below‐confluence segment (BCS)) from this segment. The quasi‐natural segment (Yellowstone River segment (YRS)) extended up‐river from the MZS in the Yellowstone River. Catch rates with the trawl for sicklefin chub and sturgeon chub and catch rates with the bag seine for flathead chub and western silvery minnow were highest in the BCS and YRS. Most sicklefin and sturgeon chubs were captured in the deep, high‐velocity main channel habitat with the trawl (sicklefin chub, 97%; sturgeon chub, 85%), whereas most flathead chub and western silvery minnow were captured in the shallow, low‐velocity channel border habitat with the bag seine (flathead chub, 99%; western silvery minnow, 98%). Best‐fit regression models correctly predicted the presence or absence of sicklefin chub, flathead chub, and western silvery minnow more than 80% of the time. Sturgeon chub presence and absence were predicted correctly 55% of the time. Best‐fit regression models fit to fish number data for flathead chub, sicklefin chub, and sturgeon chub and fish catch‐per‐unit‐effort (CPUE) data for flathead chub also provided good fits, with R² values ranging from 0.32 to 0.55 (P < 0.0001). The higher density and catch of the four native minnows in the YRS and BCS suggest that these two segments are better habitat than the ACS and MZS.     

River dolphin distribution in regulated river systems: implications for dry‐season flow regimes in the Gangetic basin

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