The short-term effects of stream restoration on fish species composition and microhabitat use near in-stream structures in western North Carolina

The short-term effects of stream restoration on fish species composition and microhabitat use near in-stream structures in western North Carolina

Freshwater fishes -- Effect of habitat modification on

Stream restoration

Irwin, Nathan R.

2007

Martin, Thomas

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This study investigated the short-term effects of stream restoration on the fish community and micro-habitat use in four different streams in western North Carolina. All sites included in-stream restoration structures and were in the French Broad or Little Tennessee River basins. A total of four stream restoration projects were evaluated, each containing a restored and control reach. Species composition and microhabitat use were evaluated at each reach. Fish density, species richness, and diversity were all significantly higher at restored reaches compared to the controls. Habitat characteristics were defined by depth, velocity, substrate, and percent fine sediment bed cover. Substrate composition was the only characteristic that differed in its distribution between restored and control reaches at all sites. Habitat diversity did not show an overall increase at restored sites. Substrate diversity was higher at the majority of restored reaches. Habitat selection indices were calculated for each species for each treatment group at all sites. Where there were distinct differences in habitat characteristic availability there were often corresponding differences seen in the selection indices for numerous species. It is concluded that habitat diversity did not effect fish species composition but that changes in habitat characteristic availability did. Also, stream restoration did not significantly alter habitat diversity, uniform now, and the amount of fine sediment on the bed surface.

2014-10-13

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North Carolina

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