Effect of siltation on stream fish communities

Abstract

SynopsisThe effect of siltation on stream fish in northeast Missouri was evaluated using community structural measurements and a functional approach that emphasized feeding and reproductive guilds. As the percentage of fine substrate increased, the distinction among riffle, run, and pool communities decreased, primarily because the number of individuals of typical riffle species decreased. Within the riffle communities the abundance of fish of two feeding guilds -benthic insectivores and herbivores -was reduced as the percent of fine substrate increased. The abundance of fish in other feeding guilds was not affected. The only reproductive guild to be similarly affected was the simple and lithophilous, whose members require a clean gravel substrate for spawning. Species within each guild affected by siltation had significantly similar trends in abundance. The guild analysis indicated that species with similar ecological requirements had a common response to habitat degradation by siltation.

Overview and application of the National Aquatic Ecological Monitoring Program (NAEMP) in Korea

“…In fact, the fish class is closely correlated with the macroinvertebrate class (r= 0.52) in Table 4. As a measure of population abundance, the total number of individuals in the IBI generally reflects in-stream habitat quality, the presence of toxic substances , and the availability of appropriate resources and water chemistry (Angermier and Karr, 1986;Berkman and Rabeni, 1987). Significant relationships among biological criteria, particularly fish and macroinvertebrates, have been reported from various geographic regions (Paller, 2001;Bryce and Hughes, 2003;Griffith et al, 2005), supporting our findings of strongest correlations between macroinvertebrates and fish (r= 0.52), followed by diatoms and macroinvertebrates (r= 0.45) and diatoms and fish (r = 0.39) ( Table 4).…”

Geomorphic Disturbance and its Impact on Darter (Teleostomi: Percidae) Distribution and Abundance in the Pearl River Drainage, Mississippi

“…It has been shown that substrate instability and increases in fine substrate reduce the abundance of lithophilous fishes, presumably because of the importance of clean gravel substrate for spawning (Berkman & Rabeni, 1987). As a group, darters are highly susceptible to substrate instability.…”

Do Conservation Practices and Programs Benefit the Intended Resource Concern?

“…The increased sediment from many agricultural practices, primarily row-crop production, adversely influences the structure and function of streams, and often changes fish diversity (size and age structure, and species composition) and temporal variability in fish abundance (Berkman and Rabeni, 1987;Schlosser, 1991;Harding et al, 1998;Schleiger, 2000). Sublethal and lethal effects on fish assemblages from suspended sediment include avoidance behavior, impaired respiration, reduced feeding rates and growth, reduced tolerance to disease or toxicants, increased physiological stress, and mortality (Newcombe and Jensen, 1996).…”