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Title:	Fishes of selected aquatic habitats on the Lower Mississippi River
Authors:	Environmental and Water Quality Operational Studies (U.S.) Pennington, C. H. Baker, John A. Bond, Carolyn L.
Keywords:	Aquatic habitats Aquatic biology Aquatic ecology Mississippi River Dikes Training structures Hydraulic structures Revetment Environmental quality Environmental aspects Environmental effects Water quality Fishes Fish
Publisher:	Environmental Laboratory (U.S.) Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)
Description:	Technical Report Abstract: This investigation is part of the Enviromental and Water Quality Operational Studies (EWQOS) sponsored by the Office of the Chief of Engineers. The basic objective of the EWQOS Program is to provide technology for the planning, design, and operation of Corps of Engineers projects to improve environmental quality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ecological role of dikes and revetments in a riverine ecosystem. Collections were made from the Lower Mississippi River near Greenville, Miss., to compare the relative value of four habitat types for fish. Sampling was conducted from April 1979 to September 1980 to describe species diversity, abundance, and distribution of fish from dike fields, revetted banks, natural banks, and an abandoned river channel. Fish populations differed considerably among the four habitat types investigated. The greatest number of species was captured in the dike field habitat (53), followed in order by the abandoned channel (31), revetted banks (27), and natural banks (24). The three dike fields were similar at most sampling periods in terms of species composition but were often different in the relative abundances of the constituent species. The two natural banks were generally similar in terms of both indices, while the revetted banks showed greater variability and overall lower similarity. For comparable gears, numerical catch per unit effort (C/f) was seldom significantly different among habitats. Catches on revetted banks exceeded those on natural banks except during April 1979. The C/f in the abandoned channel was approximately seven times that of any other habitat during November 1979. Biomass catch per unit effort (C/y) indicated a general ranking by habitat of revetted banks - dike fields - natural banks - abandoned channel, with two exceptions. During April 1979, the C/y of dike fields and natural banks exceeded that of revetted banks. During November 1979, C/y in the abandoned channel was greatest of all habitats. Condition factors showed no significant differences among habitats or seasons. Length frequency analysis showed differences in the size ranges of fish utilizing the four habitats. In particular, Age 0 fish of many species were abundant in dike fields, and, to a lesser extent, the abandoned channel. Mostly adult fish were collected at natural and revetted bank habitats.
Rights:	Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/11681/4492
Appears in Collections:	Technical Report