Reservoirs throughout the country exhibit degraded shorelines and simplified littoral habitats because of aging. This study evaluated the establishment of agricultural plantings on reservoir mudflats and the effectiveness of supplemental brush pile structures in providing recruitment habitat for juvenile fish. The mudflats of Enid Reservoir, Mississippi were seeded during the winter drawdown in October of 2016 and 2017 with agricultural plantings. Monitoring of plantings found grasses performed best in terms of establishment and providing potential fish habitat. During Summer 2017 brush piles and control sites, without brush, were sampled in Enid Reservoir using rotenone to evaluate juvenile fish use. Juvenile fish exhibited greater abundances and larger sizes, on average, in brush pile sites. Larger brush piles placed in shallower water provided the greatest benefit to juvenile fish.

Reservoirs represent a relatively young element of the U.S. landscape, with most reservoirs being built within the last century. Despite their recreational, ecological, and socioeconomic importance, reservoirs nationwide are suffering from severe habitat degradation. Habitat impairments related to siltation, eutrophication, poor water quality, water regime, lack of submerged structure, and macrophyte invasions affect reservoirs to differing degrees in different reservoirs. To adequately assess these issues, we needed to develop a classification system within which an assessment mechanism could function. I collected data for large reservoirs across the conterminous U.S. regarding fish habitat impairments and status of the fish community and recreational fishery. Using these data, I developed a fish habitat classification system for large U.S. reservoirs, which can be used to better understand differences among reservoirs, develop habitat management expectations, and prioritize conservation efforts.

Bioindicators were used to assess degradation to fish resident to the Clinch River drainage. Species studied were rock bass (<i>Ambloplites rupestris</i>), northern hogsucker (<i>Hypentelium nigricans</i>) and striped shiner (<i>Luxilus chrysocephalus</i>). The data were collected in parallel with a study of the index of biotic integrity (IBI) on fish communities also in the Clinch River drainage. Sites selected for this study were identical to those used for IBI. Data obtained from fish sampled at relatively pristine sites (i.e., high IBI) were used as references to be compared with data obtained from fish sampled at sites suspected of human impact (low IBI). Results demonstrated variable bioindicator response to degraded sites. While bioindicators were elevated at certain sites, others were not significantly different from corresponding reference values. Furthermore, results showed a number of correlations between certain bioindicators and IBI and several IBI components, implying a possible relationship between these initial individual-level responses (biondicators) and eventual longer term population- and community-level effects (i.e., IBI and its components). However, these results also varied between impacted sites. Future field application of bioindicators in the presence of such a multiplicity of potential stressors was discussed. / Master of Science

Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 25-27). Also available via Humboldt Digital Scholar.

Thesis (M.S.)--Michigan State University. Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife, 2006. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on June 19, 2009) Includes bibliographical references (p. 39-40). Also issued in print.

"Project completion report." / "January 2001." "Funded by Bureau of Land Management, Oregon State Office ... (Interagency Agreement No. 1422H952-A98-3007) and Environmental Conservation Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service ..." Originally issued as the author's thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2000. Includes bibliographical references (p. 119-132). Also issued in print.

No description available.

Thesis (M.S.)--Texas State University--San Marcos, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 47-51). Also available on microfilm.

Thesis (M.Sc. Biological Sciences)--University of Waikato, 2008. / Title from PDF cover (viewed March 10, 2009) Includes bibliographical references (p. 80-88)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1996. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [169]-179).