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Modelling riverine habitat for robust redhorse: assessment for reintroduction of an imperilled species
Author(s) -
Fisk J. M.,
Kwak T. J.,
Heise R. J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
fisheries management and ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1365-2400
pISSN - 0969-997X
DOI - 10.1111/fme.12050
Subject(s) - habitat , population , limiting , fishery , range (aeronautics) , hydroelectricity , ecology , upstream (networking) , environmental science , geography , biology , engineering , mechanical engineering , demography , sociology , telecommunications , aerospace engineering
A critical component of a species reintroduction is assessment of contemporary habitat suitability. The robust redhorse, M oxostoma robustum ( C ope), is an imperilled catostomid that occupies a restricted range in the south‐eastern USA . A remnant population persists downstream of B lewett F alls D am, the terminal dam in the P ee D ee R iver, N orth C arolina. Reintroduction upstream of B lewett Falls Dam may promote long‐term survival of this population. T illery D am is the next hydroelectric facility upstream, which includes a 30 rkm lotic reach. Habitat suitability indices developed in the P ee D ee R iver were applied to model suitable habitat for proposed minimum flows downstream of T illery Dam. Modelling results indicate that the T illery reach provides suitable robust redhorse habitat, with spawning habitat more abundant than non‐spawning habitat. Sensitivity analyses suggested that suitable water depth and substrate were limiting physical habitat variables. These results can inform decisions on flow regulation and guide planning for reintroduction of the robust redhorse and other species.