The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between fish assemblage structure and habitat in streams dominated by an agricultural landscape. Fishes from 20 natural and 20 channelized streams were sampled using electrofishing gear in East Central Indiana. Streams that had been channelized had a lower quality fish assemblage when compared to natural streams as measured by the Indiana V. Eastern Corn Belt Plain Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI). Stream habitat was evaluated using the Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI), which indicated that channelized streams had lower quality primarily due to a loss of heterogeneous habitat. Pearson correlation analysis relating ECB IBI and QHEI was positive and significant, and demonstrated that a reduction in riffle and pool areas associated with channelization was the most significant factor influencing the fish community. Furthermore, species lost when streams are channelized were predictable, and often represented environmentally sensitive species. The results of this study suggested that stream channel alterations have a negative and lasting influence on the fish assemblage which should be recognized prior to any stream development. / Department of Biology
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/187930 |
| Date | January 2005 |
| Creators | Lau, Jamie K. |
| Contributors | Lauer, Thomas E |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | v, 123 leaves : ill., maps ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
| Coverage | n-us-in |
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