Thesis--Wisconsin. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 51-57).

The introduction and spread of two Asian Carp species, Bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix have caused severe ecological damage throughout North America. Currently, academic institutions, and state and federal agencies are investigating ways of controlling the spread of these species and managing existing populations to minimize further damage. One promising method of control is the commercial harvest of Asian carps for export to China, as both species are highly valued foodfish throughout Asia. Habitat modification and destruction, along with the questionable quality of fish produced in aquaculture facilities throughout China, have caused members of the foodfish industry to search elsewhere for a high quality product destined for middle and upper class consumers in China. At this time, harvest practices are not standardized, and taking market potential into consideration, it is important to optimize aspects of harvest so commercial fishermen and processors can supply consumers with the highest quality product. Therefore, the present studies evaluated the effects of season (summer and fall), geographic origin (Alton and Peoria Reach), and harvest gear type (trammel nets and hoop nets) on commercially caught fresh fish and those subjected to standard processing practices and simulated shipping conditions to China (blast frozen to core temperatures near - 33oC and stored at- 20oC for 6 wk) using quality evaluation methods common in the foodfish industry. Impacts of season, geographical origin, and gear type on fresh Bighead and silver carp were assessed using fillet internal and external pH, color, Torrymeter freshness, and proximate analysis (percent moisture, protein, lipid, and ash). The effects of season, geographical origin, and gear type on fish processed and held under simulated shipping conditions were analyzed using fillet internal and external pH, color, Torrymeter freshness, K value, and peroxide and aldehyde concentrations. Results indicate negligible effects of season of harvest or geographical origin on final quality of Asian carp products, but the optimization of Asian carp products may require only exporting Bighead carp. Hoop nets yielded better quality fish overall, indicating that commercial fishermen should consider using these specifically for the harvest of fish destined for human consumption. Information assembled in this research can be used by commercial fishermen and processors to develop standardized methods for the harvest of Asian carps. Providing a high quality product is vital considering market potential and the resulting economic stimulation provided to fiscally starved areas where these facilities are located. Most importantly, the development of this industry could, in conjunction with continued academic and agency efforts, offer an independent solution to the serious ecological threat posed by these species.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The late pre-Columbian period in the central Illinois River valley (CIRV) is demarcated by the development of large, often-fortified Mississippian towns, farming hamlets, extensive trade networks, and shifting political alliances between AD 1050 and 1450. The fission and fusion of local polities ceased with abrupt abandonment of the CIRV by AD 1450 as part of the larger Vacant Quarter phenomenon. Located on a hypothesized boundary between Mississippian and Oneota zones of socio-political influence during the 14th century, Star Bridge (11Br17) was a Mississippian village previously believed to have been incinerated during an assault. Through the analysis of an avocational surface collection, a 1992 excavation assemblage, and recent geophysical investigations, my research re-examines Star Bridge and assesses the site’s integrity after decades of agricultural modification. Geophysical data and the material culture from excavations suggest Star Bridge never burned but was abandoned after one or two generations of occupation shortly before the exodus of Mississippian and Oneota groups from the CIRV. Meanwhile, my analyses also revealed a dearth of Oneota-derived or influenced material culture, indicating a dearth of interaction between Star Bridge’s inhabitants and their neighbors upstream. Instead, the material culture suggests Star Bridge was part of a string of late 13th and 14th century villages known as the La Moine River polity.

Lateral habitats provide a multitude of benefits to riverine fishes, including invasive Silver Carp (Hypophthalmicthys molitrix) and Bighead Carp (H. nobilis), hereafter bigheaded carp. Harvesters have focused removal efforts in lateral habitats (e.g., backwaters and side channels); however, little research has examined the lateral habitat use of bighead carps. The Starved Rock Pool (SRP) is the downstream most pool in the upper Illinois River where contracted commercial fishermen target bigheaded carp to reduce dispersal pressure towards the Laurentian Great Lakes. To examine bigheaded carps’ movement between the main channel and lateral habitats in SRP, fish were implanted with transmitters and tracked using acoustic telemetry. The ranges and detection probabilities of acoustic telemetry receivers have typically been modelled and examined in with linear distance tools. To derive more realistic receiver ranges and detection probabilities, this study used minimum bounding geometry on detected transmissions obtained from boat-mounted transmitters. Receiver detection ranges estimated using minimum bounding geometry were smaller than those estimated using the linear distance method, but estimated detection probabilities within receiver ranges were higher using the minimum bounding method compared to the linear distance method. Detection histories of bigheaded carp implanted with transmitters were examined to assess fish habitat use from June 2016 to April 2018. During 2017, multiple environmental variables (temperature, river discharge, chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, and turbidity) were measured weekly and zooplankton samples were collected during June and August to assess potential associations between environmental variables and bigheaded carp habitat use that might be useful for informing locations and times for focusing contracted harvest of bigheaded carps. Habitat selection was also examined using a resource selection index (W) and a mark-recapture multistate model in program MARK. Across all seasons, bigheaded carp used lateral habitats more frequently than main channel habitats. Habitat use was strongly influenced by temperature and marginally by main channel discharge. No strong associations between zooplankton and bigheaded carp habitat use were observed during this study; however, there were some differences in zooplankton community structure and abundance among lateral habitats related to rotifers that may have potentially been related to use of specific lateral habitats by bigheaded carp. While having high return percentages to all lateral habitats, bigheaded carp disproportionately selected for a few individual habitats, possibly due to those habitats being locations where tagging was conducted. Harvest efforts in lateral habitats, especially prior to spawning (spring staging), during lower temperature periods (overwintering), and during higher discharges should be most effective because of bigheaded carps’ particularly high use of lateral habitats during these times. Recurring removal efforts in lateral habitats within SRP may facilitate targeting of individuals that frequently return to these lateral habitats and may also reduce bigheaded carp abundance in nearby locations.

Knowledge of habitats used by riverine fishes throughout their life history is important for management and conservation. Naturally occurring chemical markers in otoliths have recently been used to determine natal origins and environmental history of fishes in a variety of marine and freshwater environments. However, to our knowledge no studies have examined the applicability of this technique in large floodplain rivers in United States. We evaluated otolith microchemistry and stable isotopic composition as tools for determining origins of fishes in the upper and middle Mississippi and lower Illinois Rivers, their tributaries, and associated floodplain lakes. Fishes were collected from 21 sites during summer 2006 and 2 additional sites in spring 2007. Water samples were obtained from the same 23 sites plus three additional sites during summer and fall 2006 and spring 2007. Otoliths and water samples were analyzed for δ18O, and a suite of trace elements; otoliths were also analyzed for δ13C. Tributaries, floodplain lakes, and the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers had distinct isotopic and elemental signatures. Tributaries on the Missouri and Illinois sides of the middle Mississippi River could also be differentiated by their elemental and isotopic fingerprints. Otoliths reflected differences in water chemistry among habitats. Results indicate that otolith microchemistry and stable isotope analyses provide a potentially effective means of determining origins and environmental history of fishes in large river-floodplain systems.

Seismic waterguns produce acoustic energy that has the potential to affect aquatic organisms. This study examined the effects of exposure to a 1,966.4 cm³ watergun array (two units) on the abundance, behavior, and spatial distribution of Asian carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) and native fish species (i.e., bigmouth buffalo, Ictiobus cyprinellus; black buffalo, Ictiobus niger; channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus; flathead catfish, Pylodictis olivaris; freshwater drum, Aplodinotus grunniens; gizzard shad, Dorosoma cepedianum; smallmouth buffalo, Ictiobus bubalus). Waterguns were deployed, approximately centered and perpendicular to the shoreline, in a channel that connects the Illinois River to a set of backwater gravel pits. To evaluate the effect of waterguns, six mobile side-looking split-beam hydroacoustic surveys were conducted at fixed times over a period of 12 days, during and between replicated watergun firing periods. Acoustic data collected over a five day period before placement of the waterguns were used as a control. Proximity to the waterguns of the first detected Asian carp while the watergun array was operational (52.95 ± 7.41 m, mean ± SE) was not different relative to when turned off (36.53 ± 6.08). In contrast, the closest detected native fish were farther from the waterguns while firing (32.38 ± 3.32 m) compared to when they were off (15.04 ± 1.6 m). The waterguns did not affect the abundance of acoustically detected Asian carp within the survey area, but the abundance of native fish was reduced during the firing treatment (115.82 ± 10.19) compared to both the control (203.46 ± 12.12) and off treatment (175.84 ± 12.16). The cumulative abundance of Asian carp relative to distance from the waterguns, examined at 50 m intervals up to 480 m bi-directionally away from the waterguns, was sporadically different (i.e., reduced abundance while the waterguns were firing) between treatments (i.e., at the 250, 300, 350, and 480 m intervals). In contrast, there was a significantly lower cumulative abundance of native fish during the firing treatment at every distance interval tested. The spatial distributions, relative to distance away from the waterguns, of both fish groups were affected by the firing of the waterguns. During active operation of the waterguns, there were proportionally less targets of both fish groups detected within a 50 m radius. While firing, there were proportionally more native fish farther than 400 m away on either side of the waterguns, and a larger proportion of Asian carp farther than 400 m from the waterguns on the northern side of the channel (i.e., closer to the Illinois River main channel). Asian carp and native fish were both more likely to be detected closer to the HMS pits when the waterguns were turned off. The watergun array did not influence the directional movement of detected Asian carp. In contrast, native fish were less likely to swim towards the IL River while the waterguns were firing versus not firing. The size distributions of both Asian carp and native fish species that remained in the survey area did not change across watergun treatments. It is concluded that the seismic watergun array examined in this study had a greater impact on native fish species than on Asian carp. Due to the lowered abundance, but not complete suppression of fish, it is suggested that the watergun array (as tested) is not suitable as a barrier for areas where absolute exclusion of fish is desired. The results from the spatial distribution analyses suggest the tested watergun array could be more suitable as a herding tool to facilitate removals of large fish aggregations. Caution should be taken to the extrapolation to other fish species and to fish exposed to seismic waterguns in different environments (i.e., deeper water, reduced shoreline interaction) or exposure to a larger array of waterguns.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate leveed floodplains along the La Grange segment (Peoria to La Grange, IL) of the Lower Illinois River (LIR) for their potential in creating both specific and diverse array of floodplain habitats if they were to be hydrologically reconnected. To better understand the potential habitat availability within the levee protect floodplain of the La Grange segment, the Land Capability Potential Index (LCPI) was used. The LCPI uses hydrological, hydrologic, land-surface elevation, and soil data to create an index of potential physical habitat patches which can be applied to assess the suitability of a particular floodplain area for a particular species of interest, such as the threatened Decurrent False Aster, Boltonia decurrens. In addition, we used spatial statistics software (FRAGSTATs) to assess reconnected floodplain areas physical-habitat (LPCI patch) heterogeneity and screened floodplain areas which may provide moist-soil habitats. Most of the B.decurrens habitat occurs (>50%) along the southern portion of the La Grange segment within Clear Lake and Beardstown levee districts. Clear Lake and Beardstown levee districts also contain the largest diversity in physical habitat patches. Moist-soil habitat is mostly located in the northern portion of the LaGrange segment with the majority of this habitat type found within the Spring Levee district (31.7 km2). The levee district with the most potential to enhance important habitat types and physical habitat diversity is the Clear Lake Levee District.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Geographic Information Science (GIS) technologies have helped to further the research of archaeologists almost since the inception of the field. Archaeologists have long made observations rooted in what would become GIS, but it wasn’t until the early 21st century that science was able to back up these observations. From the seemingly simple task of organizing and storing spatial data to more robust statistical and spatial calculations, GIS has quickly become a valuable tool used by archeologists to better understand past populations. This research applied GIS to help understand the regional distribution of settlement locations from the Mississippian Period (AD 1050-1450) in the central Illinois River Valley (CIRV) of west-central Illinois. Settlement distribution was examined in two contexts, first in the context of larger, more “metropolitan” site placement in relation to smaller, more transitory sites. Secondly, site distribution was examined to see what, if any, pattern existed between site placement and a set of ecological factors. The results found that while smaller sites were prevalent around many of the larger sites, a few metropolitan sites did have a larger number of smaller sites surrounding them, supporting the idea of certain Mississippian sites serving as hubs. Additionally, it was demonstrated that several different types of GIS based analyses were particularly effective in helping to identify these patterns, thus solidifying and improving the role of GIS in the field of archaeology.

The difficulty of assessing risk of sediment-associated contaminant mixtures to benthic ecosystems is often attributed to understanding the bioavailable fraction of each contaminant. These issues have led to the development of the toxicity identification evaluation (TIE). Past pore water TIE testing on Illinois River sediments has indicated that ammonia was the primary contaminant. The current study, however, suggests that ammonia is no longer the primary contaminant of concern, but rather non-polar organics, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, are the primary cause for toxicity in the Illinois River Complex (IRC). Summer of 2007 testing showed that six out of the seven sites that proceeded to Phase I testing exhibited a significant increase in survival with the addition of the non-polar organic amendment powdered coconut charcoal (PCC), while zeolite (ammonia amendment) and Resin Tech SIR 300 (cationic metals amendment) did not significantly increase survival suggesting that non-polar organics are the source of toxicity. In addition, Phase II testing suggested that concentrations of PAHs were high enough to cause the observed toxicity, which confirmed the results of Phase I testing. Additional seasonal-based sampling (i.e., fall, winter, spring, and summer 2008) supported the summer findings, with little variation between toxicity and concentrations, with 46% of the sites being improved with the addition of PCC in Phase I testing. The results of Phase I and Phase II contradicted past pore water TIE studies as non-polar organics were suggested as the source of toxicity rather than ammonia. Thus, both pore water and whole sediment TIE methodologies were used on two selected sites. The results of this study suggested that discordance between the past pore water TIEs and the current whole sediment TIE were attributed to the methodologies and on a lesser note the test organisms used. The present study provides data that could be used in combination with previous work to more accurately characterize the sources and spatial trends of toxicity in Illinois River sediments for future risk assessment and mitigation. Furthermore, the present study showed that while TIE methodologies are a valuable tool in assessing risk associated with contaminants in aquatic system, further research in understanding the role that each TIE method may serve in risk assessment is also important.

Asian carp have rapidly expanded their range through much of the Mississippi River Drainage over the past 10 to 15 years. Silver and bighead carp are now the dominant fish species present along several reaches of the Illinois River. The upper Illinois River and shipping canals entering Lake Michigan are of great concern as pathways for Asian carp to enter the Great Lakes. Knowledge of reproductive habitats and dispersal pathways for these species may be valuable for ongoing and future efforts to control these exotic invasives. Previous studies have successfully identified spawning areas of native riverine species via otolith microchemistry, but this technique has not yet been applied to Asian carps. Both stable isotope and trace element ratios have been found to differ significantly among the large rivers of the Mississippi River drainage, enabling identification of natal environment for individual fish. The primary objective of this study was to identify differences in natal river origin and floodplain habitat use through the incorporation of trace elements (Sr:Ca) and stable isotopes (δ18O and δ13C). Silver and bighead carp were collected via electrofishing and trammel netting along four reaches of the Illinois River from the Mississippi-Illinois River confluence at Grafton, IL to the upper segment of the Illinois River upstream of Starved Rock State Park. Sagittal otoliths were removed from both silver and bighead carp collected from each of the four reaches of the Illinois River for analysis of stable isotope ratios and trace element concentrations. Water samples were collected seasonally from the four reaches of the Illinois River and several of its associated floodplain lakes in addition to the Missouri, Upper Mississippi and Middle Mississippi Rivers to validate water signatures of the various river reaches. Results indicated the majority of adult Asian carp caught in the Illinois River originated from the Illinois. However, there was strong evidence indicating roughly twenty percent of captured adults were in fact immigrants from other sources; primarily the Middle Mississippi river and, to a lesser extent, the Missouri River. Stable isotope results indicated that Asian carps primarily used river channel rather than floodplain lake habitats during early life. The findings of this study suggest current Asian carp removal efforts should continue to be primarily directed within the Illinois River, however, the evidence of immigrant silver carp indicate expanding the control efforts into other rivers (Middle Mississippi River and Missouri River) will further support the control of Asian carp within the Illinois River.