Conservation Target : Stream Fish Assemblages Management Goal: To determine and conserve native fish species assemblages in EBCI drainages. Biological Conditions Contributed Service Conservation Strategies
Non-Native Invasive Species, water quality threats, Man- Made barriers, variable populations.
Biodiversity, Provisioning, Economic, Public Safety & Health
Inventory, Monitoring
History and Adaptive Process: Modern-day EBCI trust lands are found within the Little Tennessee River and Hiwassee River watersheds and support a diversity of fishes and other aquatic organisms. Historical surveys have identified approximately 40 fish species from 9 families. Although diverse, the riverine ecosystems on EBCI lands face several threats including point and non-point source pollution, physical habitat manipulation and fragmentation, non-native species, acid deposition, and global climate change. In addition, housing and commercial developments and physical barriers, such as Ela Dam, threaten the stream fish assemblages in this area. Therefore, we continue to inventory and monitor fish species across EBCI lands, observing any negative impacts, especially to more sensitive species. We conducted Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) surveys via electroshocking methods at six sites across EBCI waters since 2013. Due to our team's Adaptive Management procedure, we have been utilizing new developments in technology (environmental Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid- eDNA) since 2021 to determine if Non-Invasive methods are a viable option to conduct species assemblage surveys.
MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
Current Methodology for Conservation Strategies Inventory: Conducted electroshocking & eDNA sampling to assemble fish species list. Monitoring: Conducted fish bio-monitoring surveys through IBI & eDNA methods (6 sites). Results and Discussion for Information Transfer and Processing Ecological: We obtained fish population dynamics and diversity indices to calculate overall stream health. Management: Adaptive management recommendations for ongoing habitat restoration efforts and other identified threats. Social & Cultural: Participated in outreach efforts & programs with the public, most of which are youth oriented. Assessed health of highly used and culturally important resource (river system). Biological technician received training at the Highlands Biological Station for “Fish of the Southern Appalachians”.
Adaptive Decision for 2023
Management or Methodological Changes:
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