HR: 14:00h
AN: NB23F-03    [Abstracts]
TI: Integrating Ecology and Geomorphology in Etowah River Shoal Restoration
AU: * Duncan, W W
EM: wduncan@uga.edu
AF: University of Georgia, Institute of Ecology, 714 Biological Sciences , Athens, GA 30602 United States
AU: Meyer, J L
EM: jlmeyer@uga.edu
AF: University of Georgia, Institute of Ecology, 714 Biological Sciences , Athens, GA 30602 United States
AU: Leigh, D
EM: dleigh@uga.edu
AF: Geography, 204 Geography Geology Bldg., Athens, GA 30602 United States
AU: Goodloe, R
EM: Robin_Goodloe@fws.gov
AF: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 105 West Park Dr., Athens, GA 30606 United States
AB: Designs of stream restoration projects are typically based primarily on geomorphic data. However, these data may not be comprehensive enough to design ecologically successful restoration projects. In summer 2004 Georgia Ecological Services (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) surveyed nearly 80 km of the Etowah River, GA. The goal of this survey was to identify sediment sources and potential restoration techniques that would benefit imperiled, shoal-inhabiting fishes in the Etowah River. An essential and unique part of this survey was to collect both ecological and geomorphic data to build a more holistic understanding of how and why shoal habitats vary. One ecological measure included was the density and length of river weed Podostemum ceratophyllum, a submerged aquatic macrophyte. Other studies have shown that the imperiled "Coosa" madtom (Noturus sp. cf. N. munitus) and freckled darter (Percina lenticula) occur more frequently in the presence of Podostemum. Results indicate that the density and length of Podostemum increases with shoal width and particle size, highlighting the importance of geomorphology in its growth. Restoration activities that focus on these habitat characteristics will facilitate Podostemum growth and will probably aid in the recovery of the "Coosa" madtom and freckled darter in the Etowah River.
DE: 0400 Biogeosciences
DE: 1851 Plant ecology
SC: North American Benthological Society [NB]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly