Graduate Program

Biological Sciences

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2013

Thesis Director

Robert E. Colombo

Thesis Committee Member

Jeffrey R. Laursen

Thesis Committee Member

Charles L. Pederson

Abstract

Recent efforts to restore stream habitat have become a common practice, yet evaluations of biotic responses to these practices are not as common. I evaluated fish assemblage response to restoration in a reach of Kickapoo Creek, a fourth order stream southwest of Charleston, Illinois. Restoration included 446 meters of bank stabilization, pool scouring keys, and the creation of two artificial riffles. To have a representation of pre-restoration fish assemblages, I sampled four stream reaches of Kickapoo Creek twice before construction of habitat restoration: two control reaches (upstream and downstream) and two restored reaches within a 0.5 km restoration stretch (upstream and downstream). To assess the effect of instream restoration on fish assemblages, I compared fish assemblages before, during, and after habitat restoration. Additionally, to assess the impact of season on fish assemblage I compared spring and fall samples. To assess the changes in habitat as a function of restoration I estimated habitat using the Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) annually. Control and restored sites were sampled twice annually (spring and fall) beginning September 2009 through September 2011 with a six person crew sampling all four sites using an AC electric seine. Then I used DC electrofishing probes in a 30 meter long pool that had become too deep to sample by the 3rd sample period. Index of Biotic Integrity scores were calculated and compared between the sites and seasons. Multidimensional scaling based on Bray-Curtis Similarity, Similar Percentages (SIMPER), and Indicator Species Analysis, were used to compare assemblages before, during, and after habitat restoration. T-tests were used to compare relative density of five fish families, tolerance levels, and habitat specialists before and after restoration. A total of 24.88 hours of sampling revealed 48,109 individuals from 45 different species from 11 different families. Most fish were from the families Cyprinidae (89.7%), Percidae (3.3%), Centrarchidae (2.8%), Catostomidae (2.1 %), and Ictaluridae (1.6%). Fall samples were found to have significantly higher relative density (CPUE) (2262.5fish/hr) compared to spring (1237.8fish/hr) along with eleven unique species captured in the fall compared to five in the spring. Habitat changed in both the restored sites as well as the control sites after habitat restoration with the restored sites having an increased QHEI score with deeper pools and more riffle area. A significant change for Cyprinid species occurred after habitat restoration with most species increasing. Similarity Percentages (SIMPER) revealed changes in percentage of the 5 minnow species Bluntnose Minnow (Pimephales notatus), Spotfin Shiner (Cyprinella spiloptera), Silverjaw Minnow (Ericymba buccatus), Sand Shiner (Notropis stramineus), and Central Stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum) during and after habitat restoration. Indicator species analyses identified Brook Silversides (Labidesthes sicculus) as an indicator of change during restoration, Gizzard Shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) as an indicator after restoration, and Redfin Shiner (Notropis umbratilis) during and after restoration. Overall, I found the majority of the species providing change to the fish assemblages were generalists during and shortly after restoration.

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