HR: 1330h
AN: NB33M-07    [Abstracts]
TI: Comparison of the Reach Scale Habitat Characteristics of Historic and Current Ozark Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi) Localities Using Standardized Assessment Protocols
AU: * Wheeler, B A
EM: bwheeler@astate.edu
AF: Arkansas State University, Environmental Sciences Program P.O. Box 847, State University, AR 72467 United States
AU: Hiler, W R
EM: waylon.hiler@smail.astate.edu
AF: Arkansas State University, Department of Biological Sciences P.O. Box 599, State University, AR 72467 United States
AU: Trauth, S E
EM: strauth@astate.edu
AF: Arkansas State University, Department of Biological Sciences P.O. Box 599, State University, AR 72467 United States
AU: Christian, A D
EM: achristian@astate.edu
AF: Arkansas State University, Department of Biological Sciences P.O. Box 599, State University, AR 72467 United States
AB: Habitat degradation is typically cited as a reason for declines in Ozark hellbender populations. While habitat degradation is evident, many sites appear to contain suitable microhabitat, but do not support hellbender populations. We used three standardized protocols, US EPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocol (RBP), Ohio Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI), and Basin Area Stream Survey (BASS), to compare reach-scale habitat at nine locations within each of the Eleven Point (EP) and Spring (SR) rivers in the eastern Ozark Mountains. Sites were divided into Historically Present (HP), Currently Present (CP), and Reference Reaches (RR). Although EP sites scored consistently higher than SR sites for the RBP and QHEI, all sites scored close to the optimal levels. The BASS data were analyzed using PCA, and three resulting axes explained 52.8% of the variation. ANOVA of the PCA loading scores indicated significant differences between the rivers and between SRCP sites and both EPCP and EPHP sites. Parameters most associated with SR sites were rooted vegetation and embeddedness, whereas woody debris and bank cover were associated with EP stations. Our results suggest the Spring River is suffering from loss of riparian zones, thus, resulting in the degradation of in-stream habitat.
UR: http://www.ozarkhellbender.com
DE: 9902 NABS Student Award Applied Research
SC: North American Benthological Society [NB]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly