Location
UMass Amherst
Start Date
29-6-2011 11:20 AM
End Date
29-6-2011 11:40 AM
Description
Road-stream crossings have the potential to block stream fish movement and fragment habitat. In 2005, we began a multi-year effort to assess fish passage at road-stream crossings on National Forest managed lands in the southeastern US. We collected standardized survey data at over 1200 crossings and applied regional ‘coarse filter’ passage models for strong, moderate, and weak swimming fish groups. Forests are now replacing impassable crossings to re-connect stream corridors, and the need for simple, cost-effective post-replacement monitoring approaches has arisen. In early 2010 we initiated simultaneous mark-recapture and genetic studies to determine movement of non-game fish species, including several darters (Etheostoma sp), cyprinids (Phoxinus sp.; Semotilus sp.) and sculpins (Cottus sp.) through 20 road-stream crossings on the Daniel Boone National Forest. At 3 crossings we also established antenna arrays to continuously monitor movement fish tagged with passive integrated transponders (PITs). Our results will provide managers with information on the passage capabilities of non-game species, and a comparison of techniques used to assess connectivity of stream fish habitat.
Session A7- Assessment of fish passage through stream crossings on southern national forests
UMass Amherst
Road-stream crossings have the potential to block stream fish movement and fragment habitat. In 2005, we began a multi-year effort to assess fish passage at road-stream crossings on National Forest managed lands in the southeastern US. We collected standardized survey data at over 1200 crossings and applied regional ‘coarse filter’ passage models for strong, moderate, and weak swimming fish groups. Forests are now replacing impassable crossings to re-connect stream corridors, and the need for simple, cost-effective post-replacement monitoring approaches has arisen. In early 2010 we initiated simultaneous mark-recapture and genetic studies to determine movement of non-game fish species, including several darters (Etheostoma sp), cyprinids (Phoxinus sp.; Semotilus sp.) and sculpins (Cottus sp.) through 20 road-stream crossings on the Daniel Boone National Forest. At 3 crossings we also established antenna arrays to continuously monitor movement fish tagged with passive integrated transponders (PITs). Our results will provide managers with information on the passage capabilities of non-game species, and a comparison of techniques used to assess connectivity of stream fish habitat.
Comments
Craig Roghair is a Fishery Biologist with the USDA Forest Service, southern Research Station located in Blacksburg, VA. Craig currently directs the Center for Aquatic Technology (CATT) program, which provides assistance with fishery related challenges on National Forests in the southeastern U.S. He obtained his Bachelor’s in Water Resources from University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point in 1997, and Masers in Fisheries from Virginia Tech in 1999.