2022 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Virtual Conference
March 13 - 15, 2022
5/21/2018 | 11:15 AM - 11:30 AM | EVALUATING ANNUAL VARIATION IN A FISH COMMUNITY-BASED INDEX OF BIOTIC INTEGRITY FOR BOREAL PLAINS STREAMS | 410 A
EVALUATING ANNUAL VARIATION IN A FISH COMMUNITY-BASED INDEX OF BIOTIC INTEGRITY FOR BOREAL PLAINS STREAMS
Freshwater ecosystems are vulnerable to anthropogenic influences and multiple stressors, and proper management techniques are required to assess, conserve or restore aquatic health. Bioassessment is a valuable technique used to determine the ecological condition of water resources. We are developing a systematic approach for assessing stream health within Saskatchewan’s boreal region, by adapting, applying and evaluating a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI). A potential limitation of fish-biomonitoring studies is the effect of seasonality and timing of sampling on the interpretation of results, especially in northern regions where temperature extremes likely influence fish reproduction and mobility. To evaluate potential annual variance in fish community metrics and IBI scores, we electrofished five streams in the summer of 2016 and 2017 and measured water quality and habitat variables. We found variations in species richness, composition, and abundance between years, which were reflected in IBI scores. This test of annual variance in fish communities and environmental variables will help critically evaluate the reliability of IBI-type approaches in this biogeographic region. Our results reinforce the importance of long-term monitoring to decipher trends in natural variation of fish communities from variation created by anthropological stressors.
- Fish
- Community
- Multi-stressors
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Presenters/Authors
Kate Prestie
(), University of Saskatchewan, kate.prestie@usask.ca;
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Iain Phillips
(), Troutreach Saskatchewan/ Water Security Agency of Saskatchewan, iain.phillips@wsask.ca;
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Dave Janz
(), University of Saskatchewan, david.janz@usask.ca;
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Tim Jardine
(), University of Saskatchewan, tim.jardine@usask.ca;
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