Southern Research Station

Title: Consequences of Pool Habitat Isolation on Stream Fishes

Author: Lonzarich, David G.; Warren, Melvin L., Jr.; Lonzarich, Mary E.

Date: 2004

Source: Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-74. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pp. 246-252

Description: Abstract - For fishes, stream habitat units (i.e., pools and riffles) often exist as relatively discrete patches of varying quality that are distributed in a mosaic along the stream continuum. Under these conditions, the possibility exists that the spacing of suitable patches within a stream reach may affect interhabitat movements of fishes and their pattern of distribution within habitat patches. We summarized the findings of two different, but related, studies that demonstrated how isolation of pools by long and shallow riffles affected recolonization and daily movement patterns of pool dwelling fishes in two Arkansas streams. Our results show for the first time that the spatial distribution of habitats within streams can significantly affect the abundance of species and characteristics of fish assemblages within pool habitats. Because land use activities can alter habitat spacing, our findings also have important implications for fish conservation in degraded streams.

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Citation

Lonzarich, David G.; Warren, Melvin L., Jr.; Lonzarich, Mary E.  2004.  Consequences of Pool Habitat Isolation on Stream Fishes.   Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-74. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. pp. 246-252