STREAM HABITAT MODELLING FOR CONSERVING A THREATENED HEADWATER FISH IN THE UPPER CUMBERLAND RIVER,KENTUCKY

The conservation of stream biodiversity requires more explicit knowledge on the distribution of aquatic species within the context of their specific environmental settings and stresses. Although species distribution models (SDMs) have been widely used for organisms occupying contiguous spatial extents, the implementation of SDMs in relatively complex and segmented riverine networks is still at its early stage. In this study, we explicitly modelled the headwater stream habitat for the threatened blackside dace (Phoxinus cumberlandensis) endemic to the upper Cumberland River, Kentucky, USA. An occurrence record data set, along with variables describing stream properties and land use impacts, was used to predict the fish habitat suitability at the stream segment level. An approach combining geographic information systems and the maximum entropy species distribution modelling (MaxEnt) was adopted. Results demonstrated that natural conditions and land use disturbances, respectively, form the primary and secondary environmental constraints on the species' habitat. We generated regional‐scale management‐friendly maps showing subwatershed habitat suitability and locations of the clustered suitable habitats (hotspots) and thus set an example for spatially explicit management of threatened and endangered riverine species. This study demonstrates the usefulness of SDMs for stream network–based environments in the facilitation of biogeographic conservation efforts and studies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

MORPHOLOGICALLY RELATED INTEGRATIVE MANAGEMENT CONCEPT FOR RECONNECTING ABANDONED CHANNELS BASED ON AIRBORNE LiDAR DATA AND HABITAT MODELLING

Most of the large rivers are heavily degraded and lack near‐natural conditions due to high human pressure (agricultural use and settlements) especially on former inundation areas. Hence, it is rarely possible to ‘restore’ predisturbance conditions of rivers and their floodplains. Further, river or floodplain restoration programs are often based on type‐specific reference conditions. Those reference conditions are mainly determined on the basis of historical maps not giving any information of, for example, sediment supply, flood frequency and vegetation cover (density). Especially for improving the ecological status of rivers with abandoned channel features, key habitats for target fish species have to be restored by reconnecting floodplains and their secondary channel system. In addition, because of the necessity of improving the ecological status, there is growing interest in interdisciplinary river restoration techniques. Within the presented article, an integrative concept is derived based on Light Detection and Ranging measurements and numerical modelling with respect to river dynamics (hydrologic and morphological). Further habitat modelling, based on unsteady depth‐averaged two‐dimensional hydrodynamics, is applied with a focus on the mesounit scale. For testing the conceptual model, various river reaches at the Morava River were selected, featuring different morphological characteristics. It was found that the applied management concept allows considering the important issues of river dynamics (morphological/hydrologic) using a flow‐ and flood‐pulse approach for identifying bottlenecks of target species at the Morava River. The reconnection of abandoned channels will result in an increase of hydromorphological heterogeneity and/or woody debris within the study reach. This might be of high relevance for habitat features (e.g. backwater habitats) especially for flow pulses between low flow and mean flow and/or in reaches without abandoned channels between low‐flow and the bankfull stage. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DIEL DIFFERENCES IN 0+ FISH SAMPLES: EFFECT OF RIVER SIZE AND HABITAT

Studies of diel patterns in 0+ fish assemblages in rivers are scarce and produce contradictory results. We compared day and night electrofishing samples at 29 sites on rivers of different sizes in the Czech Republic. Diel patterns of 0+ fish differed among sites, but were consistent within each river stretch. River size was negatively correlated with both the day : night ratio of abundance (day samples produced more 0+ fish in smaller streams, night samples produced more 0+ fish in larger rivers) and similarity between day and night assemblage. A higher day : night ratio of abundance and lower similarity between day and night samples were observed at shelter‐lacking habitats (beach) compared with shelter‐providing habitats (boulder bank and flooded terrestrial vegetation). Differences in 0+ fish size were not dependant on diel period, river size, habitat or species. Day‐only or night‐only samples provided only two‐third of the information provided by a combination of day and night samples. The effect of habitat type and river size on diel differences in electrofishing catches should be considered when deciding on 0+ fish sampling protocol. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

SEDIMENT TRANSPORT AND FLOW DYNAMICS AROUND A RESTORED POOL IN A FISH HABITAT REHABILITATION PROJECT: FIELD AND 3D NUMERICAL MODELLING EXPERIMENTS

Few studies have examined sediment transport patterns around in‐stream structures used to enhance fish habitat despite the importance of this variable in the successful design of stream restoration schemes. The objective of this study is to examine interactions between the (excavated) pool morphology, flow and sediment transport in a restored reach of the Nicolet River (Quebec, Canada). Bedload transport was investigated using passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagged particles that were followed from positions upstream of a pair of current deflectors which were designed to maintain the excavated pool downstream. Three‐dimensional numerical simulations of the flow field at various flow stages (with emerged or submerged deflectors) were used to relate near‐bed velocity and bed shear stress to transport patterns and to assess the impact of varying the pool location and geometry on the flow field and water surface profiles. Results show that from 2005 to 2008, of the 117 pit‐tagged particles that fell in the pool, only 27 are known to have exited. None of the 30 largest rocks entering the pool escaped. Bed shear stress values simulated at high and peak flow (slightly above bankfull level) are not sufficient to move the largest rocks in the pool exit zone. Simulations also reveal a complex water surface topography when flow is above the height of deflectors, with negative water surface slope in the pool zone. When modifying the pool geometry so that the deepest zones are close to the apex of the in‐stream structures instead of in the centre of the channel, both water surface slope and near‐bed velocity patterns are greatly modified. Understanding the interactions between excavated pools, bedload and 3D velocity patterns around in‐stream structures is essential for long‐term success of fish habitat restoration projects, and using 3D models to test various designs of artificial pools is a promising approach. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

EFFECTS OF GRADE CONTROL STRUCTURES ON FISH PASSAGE,BIOLOGICAL ASSEMBLAGES AND HYDRAULIC ENVIRONMENTS IN WESTERN IOWA STREAMS: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY REVIEW

Land use changes and channelization of streams in the deep loess region of western Iowa have led to stream channel incision, altered flow regimes, increased sediment inputs, decreased habitat diversity and reduced lateral connectivity of streams and floodplains. Grade control structures (GCSs) are built in streams to prevent further erosion, protect infrastructure and reduce sediment loads. However, GCS can have a detrimental impact on fisheries and biological communities. We review three complementary biological and hydraulic studies on the effects of GCS in these streams. GCS with steep (≥1:4 rise : run) downstream slopes severely limited fish passage, but GCS with gentle slopes (≤1:15) allowed greater passage. Fish assemblages were dominated by species tolerant of degradation, and Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores were indicative of fair or poor biotic integrity. More than 50% of fish species had truncated distributions. After modification of GCS to reduce slopes and permit increased passage, IBI scores increased and several species were detected further upstream than before modification. Total macroinvertebrate density, biomass and taxonomic diversity and abundance of ecologically sensitive taxa were greater at GCS than in reaches immediately upstream, downstream or ≥1 km from GCS. A hydraulic study confirmed results from fish passage studies; minimum depths and maximum current velocities at GCS with gentle slopes (≤1:15) were more likely to meet minimum criteria for catfish passage than GCS with steeper slopes. Multidisciplinary approaches such as ours will increase understanding of GCS‐associated factors influencing fish passage, biological assemblage structure and other ecological relationships in streams. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

HYDRAULIC GEOMETRY AND LONGITUDINAL PATTERNS OF HABITAT QUANTITY AND QUALITY FOR RAINBOW TROUT (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

We developed predictions of habitat quantity and quality for three life stages of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, across a range of stream sizes characterized by mean annual discharge of 1 to 50 m³ s^?1. The physical habitat template was created by nesting a reach‐scale two‐dimensional hydrodynamic model (River2D) within a downstream hydraulic geometry system using published coefficients for low‐gradient and high‐gradient watersheds. This provided both longitudinal and transverse estimates of depth and velocity profiles that, when combined with habitat suitability curves for the life stages, resulted in predictions of habitat quantity (weighted usable area) and habitat quality (the proportion of the stream profile that provided useable habitat) for rainbow trout along the stream continuum. Habitat quantity increased asymptotically for all life history stages but increased more rapidly in the low‐gradient watershed. Habitat quality decreased non‐linearly for young‐of‐the‐year and peaked at intermediate stream sizes for juveniles in both low‐gradient and high‐gradient watersheds. Adult habitat quality peaked in the high‐gradient watershed but increased asymptotically in the low‐gradient watershed, presumably due to lower mean velocities at larger stream sizes. Incorporation of transverse variation in depth and velocity in our physical habitat template provides a more realistic representation of habitat quantity and quality than do earlier assessments based on simple modal estimates of depth and velocity. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DYNAMICS OF IN‐STREAM WOOD AND ITS IMPORTANCE AS FISH HABITAT IN A LARGE TROPICAL FLOODPLAIN RIVER

The recruitment of wood from the riparian zone to rivers and streams provides a complex habitat for aquatic organisms and can influence both aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem function. The Daly River in the wet–dry tropics of northern Australia is a highly seasonal, perennially flowing sand‐bed river where surveys of river wood aggregations at the reach scale (~2 km) in 2008 and 2009 recorded densities of 37–78 km^?1 and identified distinct types of river wood aggregations: key pieces, standing trees, fallen trees, wrack and single pieces. After larger than average flows in the 2008/2009 wet season, between 46% and 51% of the surveyed river wood had moved. The distribution of wood age classes indicated continual recruitment and slow turnover of wood within the river. Surveys of fish and habitat characteristics at the mesohabitat scale (~100 m) showed fish species richness; diversity and fish abundance were not correlated to the proportion of wood present. Fish assemblage structure was associated with wood cover as well as other environmental variables such as stream width and depth. The importance of in‐stream wood also varied for different species and age classes of fish. This study documents the dynamic nature of river wood aggregations and their complex and variable distribution and suggests their importance as fish habitat in this tropical river. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

USING AN EXPERIMENTAL IN SITU FISHWAY TO PROVIDE KEY DESIGN CRITERIA FOR LATERAL FISH PASSAGE IN TROPICAL RIVERS: A CASE STUDY FROM THE MEKONG RIVER,CENTRAL LAO PDR

Fish passage through an experimental vertical‐slot fishway was assessed at a floodplain regulator on the Mekong River in Central Laos between April and July 2009. Experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of fishway floor slope (1v:15h or 1v:7.5h) on fish passage success with a view to developing a series of optimal design criteria for the construction of vertical‐slot fishways at other barriers to fish passage in the Lower Mekong Basin. A total of 14 661 fish from 73 species were captured during the experiments. Catches were dominated by riverine (white) (n = 51; 69% of total) and floodplain (black) species (n = 15; 20%) which represented 19 families in total. The work demonstrated that fish were actively attempting upstream passage from the Mekong River to an adjacent floodplain and displayed strong migratory behaviour during river level rises. Migratory activity was greatest during sharp rises in water level but reduced substantially when river level fell. Fish community composition varied greatly among the two fishway floor slopes and the control group. More fish species were collected from control samples, but the most fish and species were collected when the fishway was configured on a moderate hydraulic slope (1v:15h). A range of size classes were also collected from control and moderate‐slope groups, but steeper‐gradient catches were dominated by larger fish. This study demonstrated that vertical‐slot fishways could provide passage for a biodiverse fish community where fish move laterally onto floodplains. The construction of fishways which consider the local fish ecology and hydrology may therefore represent a valuable management tool to help restore important movement pathways for tropical freshwater fish. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

SPATIAL PATTERN,DENSITY AND CHARACTERISTICS OF LARGE WOOD IN CONNECTICUT STREAMS: IMPLICATIONS FOR STREAM RESTORATION PRIORITIES IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND

Many streams have been modified so extensively that river managers do not have clear reference conditions to frame targets for stream restoration. Large woody debris (LWD) has long been recognized as an important influence on both geomorphic and ecologic processes in stream channels; however, there have been few studies of LWD dynamics in New England. Although this region is heavily forested today, the forest is predominantly young (70–90 years old) regrowth following a historical episode of severe deforestation. This study presents the results of an extensive census of LWD and associated stream characteristics in over 16 river kilometres of northeastern Connecticut streams and represents the first reported inventory of wood loading and sorting in Southern New England. Results of this study indicate that wood loading and jam frequencies in the study region are low: 2.5–17.8 and 0.5–5.51 per 100 m, respectively. Orientation of LWD is predominantly parallel to flow, an indication that these streams are not retaining organic matter or sediment, which has important geomorphic and ecologic implications. Results imply that stream recruitment of LWD is still lagging from the massive forest conversions of the 18th and 19th centuries. Given the low wood loadings observed in the study reaches, manual wood addition and continued forest regeneration would likely improve both habitat diversity and organic matter and fine sediment retention in these systems. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

INTRA‐ANNUAL VARIATION IN RIVER–RESERVOIR INTERFACE FISH ASSEMBLAGES: IMPLICATIONS FOR FISH CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT IN REGULATED RIVERS

While much is known about the fish assemblages, habitats, and ecology of rivers and reservoirs, there has been limited study of the fish assemblages in transitional habitats between these lotic and lentic habitats. Data about these river–reservoir interface (RRI) fish assemblages are needed to guide integrated management efforts of river–reservoir ecosystems. The aim of these efforts is to recommend flows for natural river function, conserve native riverine fish assemblages, and maintain reservoir sport fisheries. We used a multigear approach to assess the fish assemblages of four RRIs in the Colorado River Basin, Texas. In addition to characterizing RRI fish assemblages using species richness and evenness metrics, and habitat‐use guilds, we used a multivariate approach to evaluate intra‐annual shifts in species composition and abundance. All RRIs had high species richness and evenness values and included both macrohabitat generalist and fluvial species. RRIs also contained high proportions of the fish species available within each river–reservoir ecosystem, ranging from 55% to 80%. Observed intra‐annual shifts in RRI fish assemblages resulted from changes in abundance of dominant species rather than changes in species composition, with abundance of most species increasing from early spring to summer. Fish species responsible for intra‐annual shifts included mostly floodplain and migratory species, suggesting that species both used littoral habitats within RRIs and migrated through RRIs to river and reservoir habitats. The diversity of fishes found within RRIs highlights the importance of including these areas in future conservation and management efforts of river–reservoir ecosystems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PERCEPTIONS AND FEEDBACKS FOR EFFECTIVELY MANAGING WOOD IN RIVERS

This article reports a survey of 196 river managers in seven states across the USA assessing their perceptions of in‐stream wood. This survey followed corresponding questionnaires given to undergraduate students representing non‐expert views in the same states and in 10 countries around the world. Whereas most students registered predominantly negative views of in‐stream wood (i.e. not aesthetically pleasing, dangerous and needing improvement), American managers perceive rivers with wood as significantly more aesthetically pleasing, less dangerous and needing less improvement than rivers without wood. These views were consistent across different types of managers (conservation, fisheries, forestry, recreation and water), suggesting that because of education, training and field experience beyond the undergraduate degree, managers gain more positive views of in‐stream wood. Analysis of manager responses grouped by years in the profession suggests that professional experience or information within professional networks plays a role. As years worked in the profession increase, managers' responses to photos with and without wood became significantly different, showing sharper discernment in viewing in‐stream wood more positively. We conceptualize evolving management strategies involving wood in American rivers as a series of iterative states within changing human–landscape systems produced by interacting impacts and feedbacks. In this example application, the Interactive, Integrative, and Iterative (III) Framework for Human Landscape Change highlights the importance of public education and policy as necessary feedback linkages to close the gap between people's perceptions of wood and scientific advances that recognize the significant role of wood in rivers. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

USING ECOLOGICAL AND BIOGEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES TO PRODUCE A TYPOLOGY OF THE PLANT SPECIES USED IN BIOENGINEERING FOR RIVERBANK PROTECTION IN EUROPE

River managers involved in riverbank protection need plant‐selection guidelines based on the biogeographical and ecological requirements of a wide variety of plant species. In this study, we propose a double typology of the woody plant species used in riverbank protection bioengineering in Europe based on ecological and biogeographical features. The statistical analyses of existing data highlight the important role played by waterlogging tolerance, soil moisture, soil productivity and light exposure in species classification, whereas acidity was less selective. Ninety‐five species were classified in 11 ecological groups according to the six ecological variables. Based on three biogeographical variables (altitude, continentality and geographic distribution), a second classification gave five biogeographical groups clustering species according to their geographic preferences. Independent biogeographical and ecological typologies allow river managers to be consistent with the regional altitudinal and climatic environment and to select species adapted to the local environmental conditions of the riverbank considered. This study is of particular interest because its methodology and results are applicable to slope protection in general as well as to potential changes resulting from climate change. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

EVALUATION OF SPAWNING SUBSTRATE ENHANCEMENT FOR WHITE STURGEON IN A REGULATED RIVER: EFFECTS ON LARVAL RETENTION AND DISPERSAL

Site‐specific habitat alterations have improved spawning success and early life stage survival of different fish species, including sturgeon, in regulated rivers. We modified the substrate within a section of river at the only known spawning site used by white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) in the Mid Columbia River, Canada. Existing armoured riverbed conditions were modified using a mixture of larger and smaller angular rock with the assumption that the larger material would remain in place at higher discharges and help retain the smaller material. This increased substrate complexity and the amount of available interstitial spaces. We stocked 2‐day posthatch larvae over both the modified site and at an adjacent control site that represented existing substrate conditions. Our objectives were to determine (i) the extent that stocked larvae remained in both the modified and control sites immediately after release, (ii) the timing of subsequent dispersal of larvae from both sites and (iii) how total length of dispersing larvae changed over time and by site. Results from this work indicated that the modified section of riverbed retained significantly higher numbers of larvae after release compared with the control site. Larvae at the modified site were able to hide and remain within the substrate and initiated downstream drift 15 days after release. With the exception of the first day after release, dispersal from both sites occurred at night. There was a significant effect of time after release and site on the total length of dispersing larvae. The larger variation in total larval length observed at the control site compared with the modified site indicated greater difficulty in hiding within the control substrate. Larvae initiated dispersal from the modified site at a mean size of 17.5 mm, which may indicate an important growth threshold before drift. Results from this work are important for future mitigative efforts for sturgeon in regulated rivers where changes to spawning substrates have occurred. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ASSESSMENT OF CONSEQUENCES OF SEDIMENT DEFICIT ON A GRAVEL RIVER BED DOWNSTREAM OF DAMS IN RESTORATION PERSPECTIVES: APPLICATION OF A MULTICRITERIA,HIERARCHICAL AND SPATIALLY EXPLICIT DIAGNOSIS

As regards river restoration, it is fundamental to better link human pressures and environmental responses and to take into consideration not only target species or habitat but diverse ecological elements. This permits to assess sustainable restoration plan, especially concerning sediment augmentation below dams. The use of a hierarchical multicriteria approach on the Ain River permits us to assess a diagnosis of sediment deficit impact integrating several morphological (channel shifting, river bed degradation and river bed coarsening) and ecological components (Riparian and floodplain lake and fish communities). Our diagnosis also integrates a temporal and spatial approach better to link human pressures and environmental responses and to identify the dam effects amongst other drivers (e.g. grazing decline and channel regulation). The results confirm causality links between sediment deficit and slight channel bed degradation (0.01 m.year^?1) or channel bed paving and thus highlight the impact of the dam on the drying of the riparian forest and on former channel community. However, the relationship between incision and reduction in active channel lateral mobility is more difficult to establish. The role of sediment deficit in the current variability of the riparian regeneration capacity and, thereby, landscape diversity along the lower valley remains unclear. This study also confirms the relevance of using different ecological indicators, notably because all components present different adjustment time scales, whereas some of them are more sensitive to other impacts. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

FISH ASSEMBLAGES AT ENGINEERED AND NATURAL CHANNEL STRUCTURES IN THE LOWER MISSOURI RIVER: IMPLICATIONS FOR MODIFIED DIKE STRUCTURES

Large rivers throughout the world have been modified by using dike structures to divert water flows to deepwater habitats to maintain navigation channels. These modifications have been implicated in the decline in habitat diversity and native fishes. However, dike structures have been modified in the Missouri River USA to increase habitat diversity to aid in the recovery of native fishes. We compared species occupancy and fish community composition at natural sandbars and at notched and un‐notched rock dikes along the lower Missouri River to determine if notching dikes increases species diversity or occupancy of native fishes. Fish were collected using gill nets, trammel nets, otter trawls, and mini fyke nets throughout the lower 1212 river km of the Missouri River USA from 2003 to 2006. Few differences in species richness and diversity were evident among engineered dike structures and natural sandbars. Notching a dike structure had no effect on proportional abundance of fluvial dependents, fluvial specialists, and macrohabitat generalists. Occupancy at notched dikes increased for two species but did not differ for 17 other species (81%). Our results suggest that dike structures may provide suitable habitats for fluvial species compared with channel sand bars, but dike notching did not increase abundance or occupancy of most Missouri River fishes. Published in 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DECLINE AND RECOVERY OF SMALL MAMMALS AFTER FLOODING: IMPLICATIONS FOR PEST MANAGEMENT AND FLOODPLAIN COMMUNITY DYNAMICS

Floodplains often are managed both for agriculture and as habitat for native species. On the Sacramento River, farmers have expressed concern that natural areas may harbour small mammals in greater abundance than occurs on farms, which could make them sources of pests to adjoining farmlands. Concern over this has generated some opposition to riparian restoration. To better understand the issue, we studied small mammals at agricultural sites, young and older riparian restoration sites and remnant natural areas through live trapping and visual surveys over three successive years. Significant flooding occurred during the second winter of the study. We found that young riparian restoration sites (3–4 years since planting) did not harbour agricultural pests (e.g. California ground squirrel, Botta's pocket gopher) in greater abundance than agricultural sites, with the exception of California voles. Although voles were common at young sites, they declined dramatically as the sites matured, and neither 12‐ to 15‐year‐old sites nor remnant riparian habitats had higher abundances of any small mammal pest species than agricultural sites. All species except the arboreal western gray squirrel experienced significant population declines following the flood and remained at depressed levels for at least a full year thereafter. Native species were not less susceptible to flooding than exotic species. California vole was the first species to recover. Our study suggests that frequent winter flooding may be desirable from an agricultural pest management perspective. It illustrates a valuable ecosystem service, small mammal pest control, which is provided by flooding, an important natural disturbance process. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT USE OF THE MISSOURI RIVER AND LOWER YELLOWSTONE RIVER BENTHIC FISHES FROM 1996 TO 1998: A BASELINE FOR FISH COMMUNITY RECOVERY

Past and present Missouri River management practices have resulted in native fishes being identified as in jeopardy. In 1995, the Missouri River Benthic Fishes Study was initiated to provide improved information on Missouri River fish populations and how alterations might affect them. The study produced a baseline against which to evaluate future changes in Missouri River operating criteria. The objective was to evaluate population structure and habitat use of benthic fishes along the entire mainstem Missouri River, exclusive of reservoirs. Here we use the data from this study to provide a recent‐past baseline for on‐going Missouri River fish population monitoring programmes along with a more powerful method for analysing data containing large percentages of zero values. This is carried out by describing the distribution and habitat use of 21 species of Missouri River benthic fishes based on catch‐per‐unit area data from multiple gears. We employ a Bayesian zero‐inflated Poisson model expanded to include continuous measures of habitat quality (i.e. substrate composition, depth, velocity, temperature, turbidity and conductivity). Along with presenting the method, we provide a relatively complete picture of the Missouri River benthic fish community and the relationship between their relative population numbers and habitat conditions. We demonstrate that our single model provides all the information that is often obtained by a myriad of analytical techniques. An important advantage of the present approach is reliable inference for patterns of relative abundance using multiple gears without using gear efficiencies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

MACROINVERTEBRATE–PRESSURE RELATIONSHIPS IN BOATABLE NEW ZEALAND RIVERS: INFLUENCE OF UNDERLYING ENVIRONMENT AND SAMPLING SUBSTRATE

Responses of macroinvertebrate communities to human pressure are poorly known in large rivers compared with wadeable streams, in part because of variable substrate composition and the need to disentangle pressure responses from underlying natural environmental variation. To investigate the interaction between these factors, we sampled macroinvertebrates from the following: (i) submerged wood; (ii) littoral substrates < 0.8 m deep; and (iii) inorganic substrates in deep water (> 1.5 m) benthic habitats in eleven 6th‐ or 7th‐order New Zealand rivers spanning a catchment vegetation land cover gradient. Cluster analysis identified primary site groupings reflecting regional environmental characteristics and secondary groupings for moderate gradient rivers reflecting the extent of catchment native vegetation cover. Low pressure sites with high levels of native vegetation had higher habitat quality and higher percentages of several Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera taxa than sites in developed catchments, whereas developed sites were more typically dominated by Diptera, Mollusca and other Trichoptera. Partial regression analysis indicated that the combination of underlying environment and human pressure accounted for 77–89% of the variation in Ephemeroptera, Trichoptera and Plecoptera taxa richness, %Diptera and %Mollusca, with human pressure explaining more variance than underlying environment for %Mollusca. Analysis of replicate deepwater and littoral samples from moderate gradient sites at the upper and lower ends of the pressure gradient indicated that total Trichoptera and Diptera richness and %Diptera responded to land use differences in these boatable river catchments. Responses to human pressure were substrate specific with the combination of littoral and deepwater substrates providing the most consistent response and yielding the highest number of taxa. These results indicate that multiple substrate sampling is required to document the biodiversity and condition of boatable river macroinvertebrate communities and that spatial variation in the underlying natural environment needs to be accounted for when interpreting pressure–response relationships. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF STREAM FISHES IN RELATION TO BARRIERS: IMPLICATIONS FOR MONITORING STREAM RECOVERY AFTER BARRIER REMOVAL

Dams are ubiquitous in coastal regions and have altered stream habitats and the distribution and abundance of stream fishes in those habitats by disrupting hydrology, temperature regime and habitat connectivity. Dam removal is a common restoration tool, but often the response of the fish assemblage is not monitored rigorously. Sedgeunkedunk Stream, a small tributary to the Penobscot River (Maine, USA), has been the focus of a restoration effort that includes the removal of two low‐head dams. In this study, we quantified fish assemblage metrics along a longitudinal gradient in Sedgeunkedunk Stream and also in a nearby reference stream. By establishing pre‐removal baseline conditions and associated variability and the conditions and variability immediately following removal, we can characterize future changes in the system associated with dam removal. Over 2 years prior to dam removal, species richness and abundance in Sedgeunkedunk Stream were highest downstream of the lowest dam, lowest immediately upstream of that dam and intermediate farther upstream; patterns were similar in the reference stream. Although seasonal and annual variation in metrics within each site was substantial, the overall upstream‐to‐downstream pattern along the stream gradient was remarkably consistent prior to dam removal. Immediately after dam removal, we saw significant decreases in richness and abundance downstream of the former dam site and a corresponding increase in fish abundance upstream of the former dam site. No such changes occurred in reference sites. Our results show that by quantifying baseline conditions in a small stream before restoration, the effects of stream restoration efforts on fish assemblages can be monitored successfully. These data set the stage for the long‐term assessment of Sedgeunkedunk Stream and provide a simple methodology for assessment in other restoration projects. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

IMPORTANCE OF TRIBUTARY STREAMS FOR RAINBOW TROUT REPRODUCTION: INSIGHTS FROM A SMALL STREAM IN GEORGIA AND A BI‐GENOMIC APPROACH

Tributaries of tailwater fisheries in the southeastern USA have been used for spawning by stocked rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), but their importance may have been underestimated using traditional fish survey methods such as electrofishing and redd counts. We used a bi‐genomic approach, mitochondrial DNA sequences and nuclear microsatellite loci, to estimate the number of spawning adults in one small tributary (Cabin Creek) of the Chattahoochee River, Georgia, where rainbow trout are known to spawn and have successful recruitment. We extracted and analysed DNA from seven mature male rainbow trout and four juveniles that were captured in February 2006 in Cabin Creek and from 24 young‐of‐year (YOY) trout that were captured in April 2006. From these samples, we estimated that 24 individuals were spawning to produce the amount of genetic variation observed in the juveniles and YOY, although none of the mature males we sampled were indicated as sires. Analysis of the mitochondrial D‐loop region identified four distinct haplotypes, suggesting that individuals representing four maternal lineages contributed to the offspring. Our analyses indicated that many more adults were spawning in this system than previously estimated with direct count methods and provided insight into rainbow trout spawning behavior. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.