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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Oxford, Mississippi » National Sedimentation Laboratory » Water Quality and Ecology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #77893
Title: THE EFFECT OF POOL AREA, DEPTH, AND SEASON ON FISH COMMUNITIES WITHIN CREATED HABITATS

Author
item Smiley, Peter
item Knight, Scott
item Cooper, Charles

Submitted to: American Fisheries Society Transaction
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The Demonstration Erosion Control (DEC) project in the Yazoo Basin has utilized drop pipes extensively to control gully erosion. Drop pipe installation often results in the creation of stream level pools, which are scour holes located within the channels of incised streams. From June to September 1996, we used a backpack electroshocker to sample 38 stream level pools located within Hotophia, Long, and Otoucalofa Creek watersheds. Measurements of physical size and maximum pool depths were obtained from all sites. A total of 22 species and 668 fish were collected from 26 sites, while no fish were collected from the 12 remaining sites. Regression analysis indicated that pool area significantly affected species richness and numbers per unit effort (NPUE), while only species richness was significantly affected by pool depth. In addition, we collected fish from nine selected sites from Hotophia Creek in October/November 1995 and June/July 1996 to assess seasonal effects. Student's t-test indicated no significant effect of season on species richness, NPUE, and Shannon diversity index. However, examination of overall relative abundance between seasons reveals a temporal change in community structure. These results may be used to develop alternate drop pipe installation designs which more effectively incorporate habitat creation.