Study Number: 

3047

Project Title:

Stream fish assemblage stability in a southern Appalachian stream.

Investigator(s):

Gary Grossman  E-Mail | Tel. 706.542.1160 | Biographical Sketch
M. C. Freeman  E-mail | Tel. 706.583.0978
R. E. Ratajczak  E-mail
M. Crawford 
Affiliated Institution(s): University of Georgia
Address: Warnell School of Forest Resources
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia 30602  USA
Study Category: Aquatic
Project Type: Type 1
Study Period: 02/1984 - 09/1995
Notes:

 
Funding Source(s):

U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Southeastern Forest Experiment Station (McIntire-Stennis Project)
School of Forest Resources, University of Georgia
Abstract: Stream fish abundance data was collected seasonally in three 30m sections of stream from 1984 –1995.  Population estimates were obtained using electrofishing (3 pass   removal).  Habitat availability measurements were recorded biannually along with the electrofishing data starting in fall 1988. Data was collected each fall and spring from 1988-1995, in order to examine changes in fish assemblage structure along the habitat gradient.             
Location(s), Described: BCA - Ball Creek above weir 9 (upper end approximately 10m downstream from 83-B bridge
BCB - Ball Creek below weir 9 (upper end approximately 20m below weir 9)
CC - Coweeta Creek (upper end approximately 100m below confluence of Ball and Shope Fork Creeks)
Location(s), Download GPS: ArcView Shape Files (shp.): UTM, NAD83, Zone 17  |  Lat/Lon
Location(s), Online Map(s): USGS Topographic-based Maps of Research Sites
(Printable for fieldwork)
Methods/Experimental Design: Fish Survey data was collected using a Smith Root Model 11 backpack electrofisher.  A (three-pass survey with removal) was performed at each site.  Fish were identified, measured and weighed and held in holding tanks until the survey was completed.  Program CAPTURE was used to calculate a population estimate. Habitat Data was collected biannually to coincide with fish data surveys, usually in Spring and Fall. A stratified random method was used to determine data collection.  Ten points random points were sampled in each 10 m section. Flows were measured with a Marsh McBirney Model 201 flow meter (cm/s), depth were measured to the nearest cm using a meter stick and substratum composition was by observing substratum and estimating percentages of seven substratum categories within a 20cm X 20cm view box.
Sampling Frequency: Biannually (Spring & Fall)
Data Columns: Fish Data:
SP - Fish Species;
  (AR - Ambloplites rupestris,
   EB - Etheostoma blennoides,
   OM - Oncorhynchus mykiss,
   CA - Campostoma anomalum,
   HN - Hypentelium nigracans,
   RC - Rhinichthys cataractae,
   CB - Cottus bairdi,
   LC - Luxilus coccoogenis,
   SF - Salvelinus fontinalis,
   CF - Clinstomus funduloides,
   NL - Notropis leuciodes,
   ST - Salmo trutta,
   E - Etheostoma sp.,
   NM - Nocomis micropogon)
DATE - year/month.day
CRK - Creek Location;
   (CC - Coweeta Creek upstream boundary of 30m section @ 100m downstream from confluence of Ball Creek and Shope Fork Creek,
   BCB - Ball Creek upstream boundary of 30m section @ 15m downstream from weir 9,
   BCA - Ball Creek upstream boundary of 30m section @ 15m downstream from 83-B bridge)
SL - Length of fish using standard length measurement
Wt - Weight of fish using metric balance
Pass - 3 pass depletion survey taken, denotes which pass fish collected

Habitat Data:
Date - year/month/day
Site - 30 m sites;
   (BCA - Ball Creek above weir 9 (upper end approximately 10m downstream from 83-B bridge),
   BCB - Ball Creek below weir 9 (upper end approximately 20m below weir 9),
   CC - Coweeta Creek (upper end approximately 100m below confluence of Ball and Shope Fork Creeks))
Depth - measured with a meter stick to nearest cm.
CAB - water current at bottom with probe on substrate
AVCV - average current velocity measured in cm/s with a Marsh McBirney 201 flow meter.;
   If water depth <=75 cm water velocity taken at point 60% of depth from surface of water
   If water depth >75 cm water velocity taken at points 20% and 80% of depth from surface of water
% compostion of 7 substratum categories within 20cm x 20cm quadrat below fish
   % BEDROCK - the estimated % of bedrock (Imbedded rock) using a 20 x 20 cm viewer directly above the sample location.
   % SAND - the estimated % of sand (material < 0.2 cm) using a 20 x 20 cm viewer directly above the sample location
   % SILT - the estimated % of silt (Material capable of suspension in water column) using a 20 x 20 cm viewer directly above the sample location
   % BOULDER - the estimated % of boulder (> - 30cm) using a 20 x 20 cm viewer directly above the sample location
   % COBBLE - the estimated % of cobble (< 30 cm and > 2.5 cm) using a 20 x 20 cm viewer directly above the sample location
   % DEBRIS - the estimated % of debris (Wood or leafy using a 20 x 20 cm viewer directly above the sample location
   % GRAVEL - the estimated % of gravel (< 2.5 cm and > 0.2 cm) using a 20 x 20 cm viewer directly above the sample location

Missing Data Codes: . (Period)
Publications:

Grossman, G.D., Petty, J. T., Ratajczak, R. E., Hunter, M., Peterson, J.T. and Gael Grenouillet. 2006. Population dynamics of mottled sculpin (Pisces) in a variable environment: information theoretic approaches. Ecol. Monogr. 76: 217-234.
Data Restrictions: Users must adhere to the Coweeta LTER Data Policy.
Metadata: EML Format (XML Schema) | Information about EML
Data Downloads: Fish Data:
 Microsoft® Excel (.xls)
 Text Comma Delimited (.csv)
 DBase (.dbf)

Habitat Data:
 Microsoft® Excel (.xls)
 Text Comma Delimited (.csv)
 DBase (.dbf)