Progress 10/01/20 to 12/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During the final 3 months of this project, we continued to work toward the preparation of both presentations and manuscripts fromthis work thatwill be submitted for publication.
Publications
|
Progress 01/01/16 to 12/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During the final 3 months of this project, we continued to work toward the preparation ofboth presentations and manuscripts from this work that will be submitted for publication.
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/19 to 09/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Resource managers/fisheries managers, water managers, policy makers, researchers (both fisheries management and ecological). Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?--mentoring of graduate students --inclusion of research technicians in all aspects of the research project --inclusion of undergraduate students in the research project How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?--We have made numerous presentations of our findings to our state's natural resources management agency (who alsoprovided funding for some of this work; the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Wildlifeand Freshwater Fisheries), as well as to personnel with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (who are funding the bulk of ourmore recent work with the influence of dams on fish in riverine systems), and the Alabama Power Company. --We and our graduate students have made a number of presentations at international, national, regional, state, and localprofessional scientific meetings. --We have conducted meetings with other potential funding sources. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?--We continue to broadenour work to include effects of dams on fishes, and are increasing the focus from being on large migratory riverine fishes to include smaller forms, as well as starting to considersome non-native species. --We have already scheduled numerous additional presentations to our state fisheries management agency as well as to Alabama Power Company andprofessionalscientific societies at the state, regional, and national/international levels, all of which dependson Covid-19 protocols. --We will continue to prepare and submit additional manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals. --We continue to explore additional potential funding sources for this and related work.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Relative to our work with blueback herring introduction in Alabama, we successfully submitted and published a paper in Transactions of the American Fisheries Society relative to the energetics determination and modeling aspects of that work. We continue to workon several additional manuscripts from this work, including one considering overall ecological effects of blueback herring on reservoir ecosystems. Our plan is tosubmit them for publication during 2020-2021. Relative to our work with effects of dams on fishes, we have continued to study how these structures affect fish at both the individual andpopulation levels, as well as how we might be able to mitigate their effects. We have maintained our array of 17 receivers in the tailrace of Claiborne Lock and Dam (to allow for two-dimensional tracking/location of tagged individual fish) plus the additional 19 receivers located along the length of the Alabama River to locate individual tagged fish at a broader spatial scale. Maintenance of these receivers, which are scattered across 150-200 river miles, takes a substantial amount of time, and involves regular relocating and retrieval of the receivers, downloading of the collected data, replacement of the receiver batteries, and placement back in the water at the site. This work has yielded literally millions of data points/locations, which has taken a substantial amount of time, effort, and computer resources to analyze. We currently have one manuscript in revision based on these positional data. We also completed our work quantifying the genetics and hard part microchemistry of individuals from two species (paddlefish, smallmouth buffalo) in an effort to determine potential short term (microchemistry) and longer term (genetics) effects of the dams on fish population ecology. This work is currently being prepared for submission for publication during 2020-2021, and an additional study with smaller and shorter-lived species has been initiated. A study quantifying the effects of translocation of fish from below the dam to above the dam has been completed and is also being prepared for submission for publication during 2020-2021.Finally, in the Tallapoosa River we continue to quantifythe effects of a hypolimnetic hydropower discharge from Harris Dam on the downstream fish community. We have sampled the fish community over four seasons at four sites, three downstream sites and one upstream ("control") site. This discharge leads to a dramatically increased flow combined with hypolimnetic water temperatures (i.e., cold water in the summer), making it unclear what the ultimate population effects will be. Fish sampling has included quantifying diets of fishes from the four sites, as well as ageing and determining growth rates for a subsample. In addition, laboratory work is being conducted to quantify fish metabolic rates and swimming performance at varying temperature and flow conditions as are experienced to varying degrees downstream of Harris Dam. These data are all being used in bioenergetics simulations to quantify the overall effects of the peaking hydropower generation on the downstream aquatic community. Our results will ultimately be used to help with decision making relative to the future operation of this hydropower structure.
Publications
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Laubach, C. 2020. The swimming performance of Freshwater Drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) below Claiborne Lock and Dam and in various temperature and dissolved oxygen treatments. Masters thesis, Auburn University, AL. 63 pages.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Thomas, B.D. 2020. Effects of tagging and translocation on paddlefish in the Alabama River. Masters thesis, Auburn University, AL. 48+vii pages.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Bart, R.J., D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. in press. Change in piscivore growth potential after the introduction of a nonnative prey fish: a bioenergetics analysis. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society (25 text pages, 5 tables, 7 figures).
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Carlson, A.K., W.W. Taylor, D.R. DeVries, M.R. Wuellner, M.T. Kinnison. 2020. Leadership in action: lessons from a multistate fisheries collaboration. Pages 405-407 in W.W. Taylor, A. K. Carlson, A. Bennett, and C. P. Ferreri, editors. Lessons in leadership: integrating courage, vision, and innovation for the future of sustainable fisheries. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Colvin, S.R., B.S. Helms, D.R. DeVries, and J.W. Feminella. 2020. Environmental and fish assemblage contrasts in blackwater and clearwater streams. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 149:335-349.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Hartline, N.R., D.R. DeVries, R.A. Wright, J.A. Stoeckel, and L.M. Horne. 2020. Effect of temperature on respiratory responses to increasing hypoxia for five species of nongame stream fishes. Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 7:93-102.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Hershey, H., D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2019. Quantifying activity rates of paddlefish and smallmouth buffalo during passage at a low-head dam. Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Hilton Head, South Carolina.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Hartline, N., D.R. DeVries, R.A. Wright, J. Stoeckel, and L. Horne. 2019. Effect of temperature on respiratory responses to increasing hypoxia for five species of non-sport fishes. Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Hilton Head, South Carolina.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
DeVries, D.R., and R.A. Wright. 2020. Fish movement and passage on the Alabama River. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Rivers and Streams Alliance, Cullman, Alabama.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Laubach, C., D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2020. The swimming performance of Freshwater Drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) in various temperature and dissolved oxygen treatments. Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society, Little Rock, Arkansas.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Thomas, B.D., D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2020. Seasonal post translocation movements of paddlefish in the Alabama River. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Joe Wheeler State Park, Alabama.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Laubach, C., D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2020. The swimming performance of Freshwater Drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) in various temperature and dissolved oxygen treatments. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Joe Wheeler State Park, Alabama. (awarded best student paper).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Laubach, C., D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2020. The swimming performance of Freshwater Drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) in various temperature and dissolved oxygen treatments. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, virtual meeting.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Hershey, H., R. A. Wright, D.R. DeVries, and D. McKee. 2020. Quantifying passage performance of Paddlefish and Smallmouth Buffalo at a low-use lock-and dam. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, virtual meeting.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Wright, R.A., D.R. DeVries, G.J. Kratina, H. Hershey, and D. McKee. 2020. Effects of dams on the movement of fishes on the lower Alabama River. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, virtual meeting.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Thomas, B.D., D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2020. Seasonal post translocation movements of paddlefish in the Alabama River. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, virtual meeting.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Hershey, H., D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2020. Dam impacts on migratory fishes of the Alabama River. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Rivers Alliance, virtual meeting.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Bickley, S., L. Kalin, D.R. DeVries, and C. Anderson. 2020. Effects of coastal urbanization on tidal creeks and fringing salt marsh ecosystems along the northern Gulf of Mexico. Bays and Bayous Symposium.
|
Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Resource managers/fisheries managers, water managers, policy makers, researchers (both fisheries management and ecological). Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?--mentoring of graduate students --inclusion of research technicians in all aspects of the research project --inclusion of undergraduate students in the research project How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?--We have made numerous presentation of our findings to our state's natural resources management agency (who also provided funding for some of this work; the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries), as well as to personnel with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (who are funding the bulk of our more recent work with the influence of dams on fish in riverine systems). --We and our graduate students have made a number of presentations at international, national, regional, state, and local professional scientific meetings. --We have conducted meetings with other potential funding sources. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?--We are broadening our work to include effects of dams on fishes, including both native and non-native species. --We have already scheduled numerous additional presentations to our state fisheries management agency as well as to professional scientific societies at the state, regional, and national/international levels. --We will continue to prepare and submit additional manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals. --We continue to explore additional potential funding sources for this and related work.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
During 2018-2019 we worked through the final year of funding for our study of the effects of blueback herring into Alabama reservoirs. Work specifically related to blueback herring introduction during this fiscal year included preparation of a 155-page final report to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, preparation of two graduate student theses, and preparation of manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals for publication. In addition, we expanded our work on the broad influence of dams on fishes, including effects on both native and non-native species. Relative to our work with blueback herring in Alabama reservoirs, and particularly in Lewis Smith Lake, the Blueback Herring population continues to expand in Lewis Smith Lake. Blueback Herring are now the second most common species collected in both larval fish and juvenile fish collections in this system. There is no clear impact on the growth and abundance of other planktivores in the system. The consumption rate of zooplankton by Blueback Herring and decreased zooplankton density versus an earlier study combine to suggest a potential for Blueback Herring to impact the system through their zooplanktivory as their population continues to increase. Alabama Bass and Striped Bass are shifting their diets to include higher proportions of Blueback Herring, but Largemouth Bass have not included a significant amount of clupeids in their diets. We found that a layer of cool oxygenated water exists beneath the thermocline in both Lewis Smith Lake and Lake Martin, and hydroacoustic results demonstrated that pelagic fish are using this habitat. We did not find evidence that Blueback Herring populations had expanded in Lake Martin or Yates Lake, and we did not find any evidence of their occurrence in Bankhead Lake. The caloric value of Blueback Herring was significantly higher than that of Threadfin Shad, leading to the potential for increased piscivore growth depending on whether Blueback Herring are included in their diets and under a number of assumptions for piscivore diet choice. At this point, the introduction of Blueback Herring to Lewis Smith Lake has not increased the growth or abundance of the primary piscivores in the system. However, Blueback Herring have also not caused a significant decline in the Largemouth Bass population as has been observed in some other cases. However, the ability of Blueback Herring to selectively consume large amounts of large-sized zooplankton continues to be a cause for concern about the potential for relatively longer-term changes in the zooplankton community in Lewis Smith Lake. Our work with effects of dams on fishes has involved study of how these structures affect fish at both the individual and population levels, as well as how we might be able to mitigate their effects. Through time we have implanted 165 paddlefish and 165 smallmouth buffalo with tags that allowed them to be located via receivers in the river. We established an array of 17 acoustic receivers in the tailrace of Claiborne Lock and Dam (this structure has both gated and crested spillways) and an additional 19 acoustic receivers were located along the Alabama River between Millers Ferry Lock and Dam and the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. The acoustic array in the Claiborne tailrace triangulated the locations of individual tagged fish in two dimensions, allowing us to determine the spatial habitat use and swimming pathways fish used in the challenging tailrace environment. These results will allow better prediction of the types of habitat that enhance ability of fish to approach and pass such structures. In addition, a subset of these fish (89 paddlefish, 92 smallmouth buffalo) also were implanted with an electromyogram transmitter that allowed us to quantify muscle activity during their time in the tailrace. We have also translocated paddlefish that have been implanted with an acoustic transmitter in an effort to determine whether fish that successfully pass the dam are able to continue on their upstream migration or if they suffer from "fallback", where they simply move back downstream after passage. Relative to population effects of these structures, we have used a combination of a relatively shorter term measure of population separation (fish hard part microchemistry) and a relatively longer term measure (genetic divergence). Toward this end, we quantified hard part microchemistry of 186 paddlefish, 209 smallmouth buffalo, and 106 largemouth bass (as a relatively non-moving "control") from four distinct regions of the Alabama River. In addition, we have identified single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for paddlefish (N=1,889) and smallmouth buffalo (N=3,737) to quantify longer term genetic differences among potential subpopulations. Finally, in the Tallapoosa River we are quantifying the effects of a hypolimetic hydropower discharge from Harris Dam on the downstream fish community. We have sampled the fish community over three seasons at four sites, three downstream sites and one upstream ("control") site. This discharge leads to a dramatically increased flow combined with hypolimnetic water temperatures (i.e., cold water in the summer), making it unclear what the ultimate population effects will be. Our results will ultimately be used to help with decision making relative to the future operation of this hydropower structure.
Publications
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kratina, G.J. 2019. Assessing population impacts of low-use lock-and-dam structures on the Alabama River: fish hard-part microchemistry and genetics. Masters thesis, Auburn University, AL. 140+xii pages.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
McKee, D. 2019. Passage and fine scale movements of Paddlefish and Smallmouth Buffalo near Claiborne Lock and Dam. Masters thesis, Auburn University, AL. 48+viii pages.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Hershey, H. 2019. Quantifying fish swimming performance and behavior in two diverse environments: a multifaceted approach. Masters thesis, Auburn University, AL. 70+viii pages.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Hartline, N.R., D.R. DeVries, R.A. Wright, J.A. Stoeckel, and L.M. Horne. in press. Effect of temperature on respiratory responses to increasing hypoxia for five species of nongame stream fishes. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (24 text pages, 2 tables, 5 figures).
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Klimah, C.A., D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2019. Swimming performance of estuarine and inland largemouth bass at varying salinities. Estuaries and Coasts 42:1202-1210.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Grossman, G.D., and D.R. DeVries. 2019. Authorship decisions in ecology, evolution, organismal biology and natural resource management: who, why, and how. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation 42:337-346.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Carlson, A.K., W.W. Taylor, M.T. Kinnison, S. Ma~eika, P. Sullivan, M.J. Weber, R.T. Melstrom, P.A. Venturelli, M.R. Wuellner, R.M. Newman, K.J. Hartman, G.B. Zydlewski, D.R. DeVries, S.M. Gray, D.M. Infante, M.A. Pegg, and R.M. Harrell. in press. Threats to freshwater fisheries in the United States: perspectives and investments of state fisheries administrators and Agricultural Experiment Station directors. Fisheries 44:276-287.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kemp, C.M., D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2019. Freshwater predators on the edge: assessing the temporal and spatial variation in diet of largemouth bass in Mobile Bay Estuary, Alabama, USA. Marine and Coastal Fisheries 11:162-176.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Henderson, H.K., R.A. Wright, D.R. DeVries, M.J. Catalano, and D.C. Glover. 2019. Evaluation of supplemental pellet feeding and threadfin shad addition on stable isotope signature and potential influence on fish growth in recreational fishing ponds. Journal of the Meeting of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 6:35-43.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Hershey, H., D. McKee, D. DeVries, R. Wright. 2018. Quantifying paddlefish and largemouth bass behavior in a small impoundment using acoustic and radio biotelemetry. Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Mobile, Alabama.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kratina, G.J., D.R. DeVries, R.A. Wright, and S.J. Rider. 2018. Reconstructing paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) movement in a Southeastern U.S. river system using dentary bone microchemistry. Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Mobile, Alabama.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
White, L., D. DeVries, and J. Stoeckel. 2018. Ability of non-sport fish species to deal with declining oxygen concentrations as temperatures rise. Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Mobile, Alabama.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Henderson, H.K., R.A. Wright, D.R. DeVries, M.J. Catalano, and D. C. Glover. 2018. Evaluation of supplemental feeding and threadfin shad addition as pond enhancements using stable isotope analysis. Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Mobile, Alabama.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Cox, C., H. Hershey, and D.R. DeVries. 2018. A novel approach to surveying paddlefish using side-scan sonar. Auburn University College of Agriculture 2018 Graduate Student Poster Showcase. Auburn, Alabama. (awarded best MS. poster award).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Anderson, C., L. Kalin and D. DeVries. 2018. Effects of residential land use on fish communities and tidal creek habitats of Alabama and west Florida. Bays and Bayous Symposium, Mobile, Alabama.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Chrisp, J., R. Nelson, M. Catalano, D. DeVries, R. Wright, T. Farmer. 2019. Habitat-specific contribution of southern flounder to Alabamas recreational fishery revealed by otolith chemistry. Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society, Galveston, Texas.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Hershey, H., D. McKee, D. DeVries, R. Wright. 2019. Assessing paddlefish stress levels in the tailrace of a dam. Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society, Galveston, Texas.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kratina, G.J., D.R. DeVries, R.A. Wright, and S.J. Rider. 2019. Investigating fish population connectivity in a Southeastern U.S. river system using hard-part microchemistry. Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society, Galveston, Texas.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Chittam, C., T.S. Coleman, M.J. Catalano, G. Lovell, R.A. Wright, D.R. DeVries. 2019. Evaluation of shoreline rotenone application to control largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) recruitment in small impoundments. Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society, Galveston, Texas.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Collins, M., M. Collins, J. Chrisp, M. Angelina, D. DeVries, R. Wright, M. Catalano, T. Farmer. 2019. Temporal patterns and environmental correlates of age-0 southern flounder abundance along the northern Gulf of Mexico. Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society, Galveston, Texas.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Coleman, T.S., M.J. Catalano, G. Lovell, R.A. Wright, and D. DeVries. 2019. Shoreline rotenone application to control largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) recruitment in small impoundments. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Spanish Fort, Alabama.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Horne, L., D.R. DeVries, and J. Stoeckel. 2019. Use of the electron transport system assay to determine thermal optima of fish respiratory enzymes. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Reno, Nevada.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
McKee, D., H. Hershey, D.R. DeVries, R.A. Wright, D.L. Smith, and C.M. Woodley. 2019. Approaching a lock-and-dam structure by migrating paddlefish and smallmouth buffalo in a Southeastern US river. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Reno, Nevada.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Thomas, D. D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2019. Seasonal post translocation movements of paddlefish in the Alabama River. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Reno, Nevada.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Chrisp, J., R. Nelson, M. Catalano, D. DeVries, R. Wright, T. Farmer. 2019. Habitat-specific recruitment of southern flounder to Alabamas Fisheries. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Reno, Nevada.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Coleman, T.S., M.J. Catalano, G. Lovell, R.A. Wright, and D. DeVries. 2019. Shoreline rotenone application to control largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) recruitment in small impoundments. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Reno, Nevada.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Bart, R. Anderson, P., DeVries, D.R., and RA. Wright. 2019. Assessing the Impact of the Introduction of Blueback Herring in Alabama. Final Report to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Montgomery, Alabama. 155 pages.
|
Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Resource managers/fisheries managers, policy makers, researchers (both fisheries management and ecological). Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?--mentoring of graduate students --inclusion of research technicians in all aspects of the research project --inclusion of undergraduate students in the research project How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?--We have made numerous presentation of our findings to our state's natural resources management agency (who also provided funding for much of this work; the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries). --We have conducted meetings with other potential funding sources. --We and our graduate students have made a number of presentations at professional scientific meetings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?--We plan to expand our field and laboratory efforts to include work in other systems in Alabama. --We have already scheduled numerous presentations to our state fisheries management agency as well as to professional scientific societies at the state, regional, and national/international levels. --We will submit additional manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals. --We continue to explore additional potential funding sources for this and related work.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Fish Sampling: Sampling for adult and juvenile fishes in Lewis Smith lake was completed for the project in the fall of 2017. Electrofishing was conducted at night with 2 10-min transects once a month at our 7 established sample sites (total of 14 transects). Four gill nets were set at the surface starting at night at each site and allowed to soak for 12 hours; two were 1-inch stretch mesh targeting clupeids and two were experimental mesh with panels ranging from 3-7 inch stretch mesh targeting large piscivores. Sampling in 2018 focused on larval fish, water quality, and zooplankton community in Lewis Smith Lake. Larval fish sampling began in March 2018 and was conducted twice per month through June 2018, consisting of two five-minute larval fish tows and two five-minute bow-mounted larval fish pushes (50 cm diameter, 150 cm long, 500 μm mesh net). Tows and pushes were conducted both offshore and inshore during day and night once per week until catches of blueback herring and threadfin shad were zero. Larval fish samples were preserved in 70% ethanol and returned to the lab where all larvae were identified and their diets quantified. Abiotic/Water Chemistry Measures/Zooplankton: During each sampling trip at each of the 7 established sample sites, we measured water temperature (from the surface to 40 m at 2-m intervals), Secchi depth (nearest cm), and collected surface water samples to quantify turbidity and chlorophyll-a concentration. We sampled the zooplankton at each site with a 50-μm mesh net (31-cm diameter, 91-cm long). Two replicate vertical tows were taken at each site every other week through the photic zone (estimated as twice the Secchi depth). Zooplankton samples were preserved in 70% ethanol and returned to the lab where they were counted and a subsample of individuals were measured. All samples of fish, zooplankton, and water chemistry have been processed. Across all years of the project, chlorophyll -a concentrations differed significantly (F6, 298 = 18.85, P = < 2e-16) between sites with upstream sites having higher concentrations versus downstream sites. Zooplankton densities differed across sites (F6, 255 = 2.56, P = 0.02) with the highest zooplankton densities upstream. Zooplankton densities from the current project tended to be higher than those from a previous period (2013-2014) that occurred early in the blueback herring establishment. Fishes: Larval fish CPUE (#/m3) varied among species with the highest catch rates being for threadfin shad followed by blueback herring (F5,6591 = 30.51, P < 0.0001). Blueback herring had significantly higher catch rates (P < 0.0001) compared to all other species. Sunfish and brook silverside had the next highest catch rates and were significantly greater (P < 0.001) than those for gizzard shad and crappie. Comparison of larval fish catch rates varied by sampling method, time of day, and nearshore versus offshore. Night collections were higher than day. Bow-mounted push nets collected more than tows and inshore was higher than offshore. Larval fish CPUE was highest inshore, at night, in push net samples versus towed nets. Electrofishing CPUE for adult and juvenile threadfin shad and blueback herring was variable across the seven sites (F6,154 = 2.868, P = <0.05). Blueback herring catch rates were significantly greater only at the Dam Forebay (P = 0.027). Alabama bass catch rates were all significantly greater than largemouth bass at all sites (F6,154 = 13.539, P = <0.0001). Diets of Piscivores and Energetic Analyses: Diets of the 3 primary piscivores in Lewis Smith Lake (largemouth bass, Alabama bass, and striped bass) were analyzed seasonally. Diet composition, observed piscivore growth, caloric densities (both our estimates and from the literature), and observed water temperatures provided input to bioenergetics simulations. Five common diet items were identified in Alabama bass diets. Threadfin shad contributed a larger proportion than did blueback herring across all seasons, with additional contributions from brook silverside Labidesthes sicculus, crayfish, and sunfishes (Lepomis spp.). Largemouth bass had the same items in their diets as Alabama bass, but clupeids contributed a much smaller proportion. Blueback herring were only found in largemouth bass diets during winter and fall, and threadfin shad were only found during winter, spring, and fall. Mean lengths of blueback herring and threadfin shad in piscivore diets by season indicated that on average piscivores were consuming longer blueback herring compared to threadfin shad. However, threadfin shad were found more often in piscivore diets compared to blueback herring with the exception of striped bass in summer. Alabama bass and largemouth bass von Bertalanffy growth curves were similar to one another in Lewis Smith Lake except that the maximum length of largemouth bass exceeded that of Alabama bass. Striped bass von Bertalanffy growth indicated they grew much larger than the black basses. When considering a new fish prey type in any system it is important to consider the changes in caloric contribution from native versus introduced prey that is available to piscivores via these prey species. Blueback herring and threadfin shad were collected from Lewis Smith Lake from March 2016 through December 2017, and caloric densities were estimated using bomb calorimetry. Fish were primarily collected for bomb calorimetry from the Sipsey and Ryan arms of Lewis Smith Lake to measure the effect of productivity. Bomb calorimetry analysis show a statistically significant difference between blueback herring and threadfin shad with blueback herring having a caloric density of 1218 cal/gram and threadfin shad have a caloric density of 1001 cal/gram. There was also a fish length effect on caloric density, showing that for every 1-mm increase in blueback herring length there was a 1.73 calorie increase in caloric density and for every 1-mm increase in threadfin shad length there was a 2.80 calorie increase. The potential effect of substituting blueback herring for threadfin shad on the growth and consumption rates of largemouth bass, Alabama bass, and striped bass was estimated using bioenergetics simulations. The higher caloric density of blueback herring had an approximately 9% positive impact on the potential growth of striped bass and Alabama bass, but less than 2% potential increase in growth for largemouth bass. These differences largely correspond to the percent of clupeids in the diets of these fishes. Hydroacoustics: Analysis of hydroacoustic surveys was completed during the reporting period. Winter hydroacoustic surveys were completed on Lewis Smith Lake during 6-8 February 2017, on Lake Martin during 10-11 February 2017, on Yates Lake during 12 February 2017, and on Bankhead Reservoir during 3 February 2017. Summer hydroacoustic surveys were completed on Lewis Smith Lake during 6-8 September 2017, on Lake Martin during 13-14 September 2017, on Yates Lake during 31 August 2017, and on Bankhead during 1 September 2017. These survey dates were chosen to look at seasonal variation in fish distributions and densities. Transects covered all major pelagic zones from the upper ends of the major branches all the way down to the dam forebay. Summer hydroacoustics results yielded higher densities of fish in the upstream portions of the reservoirs that declined downstream to the forebay. Winter hydroacoustic results yielded low and consistent densities throughout the reservoirs. Summer dissolved oxygen profiles and hydroacoustics results demonstrated that there is an oxygenated layer of water below the thermocline that large fish are using during the summer which could represent critical habitat for those large piscivores.
Publications
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Bart, R.J. 2018. A study of native and introduced clupeids in Mobile River Basin reservoirs. Masters thesis, Auburn University, AL. 94+viii pages.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Roberts, C.M., D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2018. Introduced yellow perch in two Southeastern US reservoirs: ecological interactions with native fishes. Lake and Reservoir Management 34:141-153. (https://doi.org/10.1080/10402381.2017.1402225)
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Henderson, H.K., R.A. Wright, D.R. DeVries, and M.J. Catalano. in press. Evaluation of supplemental pellet feeding and threadfin shad addition on stable isotope signature and potential influence on fish growth in recreational fishing ponds. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (24 text pages, 3 tables, 3 figures).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
DeVries, D.R., G.L. Grove, and R.A. Wright. 2017. Effects of introduced Blueback Herring Alosa aestivalis on a landlocked Southeastern US reservoir. Annual Meeting of the North American Lake Management Society, Denver, Colorado.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Bart, R.J., P. Anderson, D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2018. Density and distribution of pelagic fish in Alabama reservoirs and assessing caloric density differences between blueback herring and threadfin shad. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Fisheries Association, Auburn, Alabama.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Anderson, P., R. Bart, D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2018. Evaluating the effects of an invasive zooplanktivore (Alosa aestivalis) in Lewis Smith Lake. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Fort Payne, Alabama.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Bart, R.J., P. Anderson, D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2018. Blueback herring in Alabama: hydroacoustic surveys and caloric densities. Annual Meeting of the Alabama Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Fort Payne, Alabama.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Cox, C., H. Hershey, and D.R. DeVries. 2018. A novel approach to surveying paddlefish using side-scan sonar. National Science Foundation Warm-Water Aquatic Ecology Research Experiences for Undergraduate final presentations. Auburn, Alabama.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Hershey, H., D. McKee, D. DeVries, R. Wright. 2018. Quantifying Paddlefish and Largemouth Bass behavior in a small impoundment using acoustic and radio biotelemetry. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Atlantic City, New Jersey.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Coleman, T.S., M.J. Catalano, G. Lovell, R.A. Wright, and D. DeVries. 2018. Shoreline rotenone application to control largemouth bass recruitment in small impoundments. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Atlantic City, New Jersey.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Kratina, G.J., D.R. DeVries, R.A. Wright, and S.J. Rider. 2018. Reconstructing paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) movement in a Southeastern U.S. river system using dentary bone microchemistry. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Atlantic City, New Jersey.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Colvin, S.R., B.S. Helms, D.R. DeVries, and J.W. Feminella. 2018. Environmental and fish assemblage differences in blackwater and clearwater streams of coastal Alabama. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Atlantic City, New Jersey.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
McKee, D., H. Hershey, D.R. DeVries, R.A. Wright, D.L. Smith, and C.M. Woodley. 2018. Use of high and low velocity areas by paddlefish and smallmouth buffalo in a Southeastern US river. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Atlantic City, New Jersey.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Collins, M., M. Angelina, J. Chrisp, L. Campbell, D. Sackett, M. Catalano, D.R. DeVries, R.A. Wright, and T. Farmer. 2018. Juvenile southern flounder abundance and size-at-age across an estuarine salinity gradient in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Atlantic City, New Jersey.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Coleman, T.S., M.J. Catalano, R.A. Wright, and G. Lovell. 2018. Shoreline Rotenone Application to Control Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) Recruitment in Small Impoundments. Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. Mobile, AL.
|
Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17
Outputs
Target Audience:Resource managers/Fisheries managers, policy makers, researchers (both fisheries and ecological). Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?--mentoring of graduate students --inclusion of research technicians in all aspects of the research project --inclusion of undergraduate students in the research project How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?--We have made numerous presentation of our findings to our state's natural resources management agency (who also provided funding for much of this work; the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries). --We have conducted meetings with other potential funding sources. --We and our graduate students have made a number of presentations at professional scientific meetings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?--We plan to continue the field and laboratory efforts that were ongoing during this reporting year. --We have already scheduled numerous presentations to our state fisheries management agency as well as to professional scientific societies at the state, regional, and national/international levels. --We will submit additional manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals. --We continue to explore additional potential funding sources for this and related work.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Fish Sampling: Sampling was conducted twice per month through the reporting period, alternating between electrofishing and gillnetting (combined with larval fish sampling) until December 2017. Electrofishing (pulsed-DC, Smith Root 7.5 GPP) was conducted at night with 2 10-min transects once a month at our 7 established sample sites (total of 14 transects). Gill nets were set at the surface starting at night at each site and allowed to soak for 12 hours. Two gill nets that were set were 1-inchstretch mesh targeting clupeids and the other two were experimental mesh with panels going from 3 inchto 7 inchstretch mesh targeting large piscivores. Larval fish were sampled using a tow net (50 cm diameter, 150 cm long, 500 μm mesh) with two replicate 5 min transects at each site. Larval fish were sampled at each site twice a month surrounding the clupeid spawning season (February-July) and once a month during the rest of the year. Larval fish samples were preserved in 70% ethanol and returned to the lab where all lavae were identifed and their diets quantified. Abiotic/Water Chemistry Measures/Zooplankton: During each sampling trip and at each of the 7 established sample sites, we measured water temperature (from the surface to 40 m at 2-m intervals), measured Secchi depth (nearest cm), and collected surface water samples to quantify turbidity and chlorophyll-a concentration. We sampled the zooplankton at each site with a 50-µm mesh net (31-cm diameter, 91-cm long). Two replicate vertical tows were taken at each site every other week through the photic zone (estimated as twice the Secchi depth). Zooplankton samples were preserved in 70% ethanol and returned to the lab where they were counted and measured. The taxonomic composition of the zooplankton community across sample dates and sample sites was as follows: Bosmina contributed ~38%, copepod nauplii contributed ~34%, calanoid copepods contributed ~5%, cyclopoid copepods contributed ~20%, Daphnia contributed ~ 2.4% (the invasive Daphnia lumholtzi contributed ~1.4%). These 6 groups contributed nearly all (98%) of the total zooplankton composition from 2016-2017. Larval Fishes: Larval fish sampling was conducted between April through June 2017, and will again be conducted during 2018. Sampling included both paired larval tows and bow-mounted push net samples to compare gear types. The larval tow net was significantly better at catching larval fish with a difference of 0.08 fish/m^3. Peak density of larval fish during 2017 occurred in late May with total catch of 32 individuals. Peak abundance for larval blueback herring occurred in May 2017. There was a low total catch of all clupeids previously, consisting of only23 total individuals (19 blueback herring, 1 threadfin shad, and 3 gizzard shad) for 2016. Collections in 2017 yielded an even lower catch of larval clupeids, with a total of only 14 individuals (11 blueback herring, 3 threadfin shad, and 0 gizzard shad). The most abundant species captured in larval fish tows was brook silversides (36 total) for 2016. In 2017, crappie had the highest catch rates (18 total) compared to the other species. Overall catch rate for larval fish in 2016 was a total of 94 individuals captured and, 2017 had a total of 51 individuals. The CPUE for all larval fish during months of peak larval abundance (Apr.-Jun.) for 2016 was 0.02 fish/m3 and 2017 was 0.01 fish/m3. None of the clupeid diets contained any prey items, meaning that we could not evaluate whether competition might be occurring among larval fishes. Larval crappie had the most diet items, and seemed to be feeding primarily on copepod nauplii. Recruitment: Analysis of largemouth bass age-frequency data showed that age-1 and age-2 largemouth bass were the most frequent ages being caught, with a total catch of 286 largemouth bass. Age-0 largemouth bass (total of only 15 individuals) were represented in our catches, suggesting that recuitment is continuing. The age structure of Alabama bass did not exhibit weak year class for ages 1 and 2, and we were able to collect 89 age-0s. The age-frequency histogram indicateda gradual decline for fish older than age-2, but still had higher numbers of older age fish compared to those for largemouth bass. We collected a total of 1454 Alabama bass. The shift from largemouth bass to Alabama bass appears to be continuing. Caloric Density of Forage Fishes: When considering a new fish prey type in any system it is important to consider the changes in caloric contribution from native and introduced prey that is available to piscivores via these prey species. Blueback herring and threadfin shad were collected from Lewis Smith Lake from March 2016 through December 2017, and caloric densities were estimated using bomb calorimetry. Fish were primarily collected for bomb calorimetry from the Sipsey and Ryan arms of Lewis Smith Lake to measure the effect of productivity. Caloric density differences will be used in bioenergetic simulations to determine the growth differences in piscivores that live in Lewis Smith Lake. Bomb calorimetry analysis show a statistically significant difference between blueback herring and threadfin shad with blueback herring having a caloric density of 1218 cal/gram and threadfin shad have a caloric density of 1001 cal/gram. There was also a fish length effect on caloric density, showing that for every 1-mm increase in blueback herring length there was a 1.73 calorie increase in caloric density and for every 1-mm increase in threadfin shad length there was a 2.80 calorie increase. Hydroacoustics: Winter hydroacoustic surveys were completed on Lewis Smith Lake during 6-8 February 2017, on Lake Martin during 10-11 February 2017, on Yates Lake during 12 February 2017, and on Bankhead Reservoir during 3 February2017. Summer hydroacoustic surveys were completed on Lewis Smith Lake during 6-8 September 2017, on Lake Martin during 13-14 September 2017, on Yates Lake during 31 August 2017, and on Bankhead during 1 September2017. These survey dates were chosen to look at seasonal variation in fish distributions and densities. Transects covered all major pelagic zones from the upper ends of the major branches all the way down to the dam forebay. Verification sampling was conducted on Lewis Smith Lake, Lake Martin, and Bankhead Lake, consisting of pelagic electrofishing and gillnet sets. Fish sampled through verification sampling were measured and weighed for to associate them with hydroacoustics results. Summer hydroacoustics results yielded higher densities of fish in the upstream portions of the reservoirs that declined downstream to the forebay. Winter hydroacoustic results yielded consistent densities throughout the reservoirs, although densiteis were much lower relative to summer surveys. Summer dissolved oxygen profiles and hydroacoustics results demonstrated that there is an oxygenated layer of water below the thermocline that large fish are using during the summer which could represent critical habitat for those large piscivores.
Publications
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Stanfill, A.P. 2017. Assessing Southern Flounder Paralichthys lethostigma Populations in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Masters thesis, Auburn University, AL. 70+x pages.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Nelson, T.R., D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2017. Salinity and temperature effects on element incorporation of Gulf Killifish Fundulus grandis otoliths. Estuaries and Coasts (https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-017-0341-z).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Wright, R.A., D.R. DeVries, and M.J. Catalano. 2017. Auburn University pond management program: combining traditional and new approaches to help pond owners reach their goals. Annual Meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
DeVries, D.R. 2017. Sense of place and place-based learning. Sustainability across the Curriculum: Fall Line Faculty Workshop, Auburn, Alabama. (invited presentation).
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Bart, R.J., P. Anderson, D. DeVries, and R. Wright. 2017. Distribution and abundance of pelagic fishes in southeastern US reservoirs containing blueback herring. This is Auburn Student Symposium, Auburn, Alabama.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Anderson, P., D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2017. Evaluating the effects of an invasive zooplanktivore (Alosa aestivalis) on a deep Southeastern reservoir. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Tampa, Florida.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Bart, R.J., D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2017. Density and distribution of pelagic fishes in reservoirs with expanding populations of introduced Blueback Herring. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Tampa, Florida.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
DeVries, D.R., G.L. Grove, and R.A. Wright. 2017. Effects of introduced Blueback Herring Alosa aestivalis on a landlocked Southeastern US reservoir. Annual Meeting of the North American Lake Management Society, Denver, Colorado.
|
Progress 01/01/16 to 09/30/16
Outputs
Target Audience:Resource managers, policy makers, researchers (both fisheries and ecological). Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?--mentoring of graduate students --inclusion of research technicians in all aspects of the research project --inclusion of undergraduate students in the research project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?--We have made numerous presentations of our findings to our state's natural resources management agency (who also provided funding for much of this work; the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries). --We have conducted meetings with other potential funding sources. --We and our graduate students have made a number of presentations at professional scientific meetings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?--We plan to continue the field and laboratory efforts that were begun this year. --We plan to make numerous additional presentations, both to resource management agencies, as well as at professional scientific meetings. --We will submit additional manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals. --We continue to explore additional potential funding sources for this and related work.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
We sampled in four separate areas of Lewis Smith Lake-- Ryan Creek, Rock Creek, Sipsey Fork, and the Dam Forebay; each area, other than the Dam Forebay (a relatively smaller area), was divided into two sites. These sites were Goat Island and Lick Creek in the Ryan Creek arm, Bailey's Bridge and Long Point near Rock Creek Marina in the Rock Creek arm, Bankhead Point and Clear Creek in the Sipsey Fork arm, and directly across from the Alabama Power boat ramp in the Dam Forebay. In addition, Lake Martin was sampled with hydroacoustics in Kowaliga Bay, Blue Creek, and the middle channel and Yates Lake was sampled with hydroacoustics in the middle channel. Fish Sampling: Sampling started March 2016, when we began electrofishing once per month until May when trips occurred twice per month, alternating between electrofishing and gillnetting (combined with larval fish sampling). Electrofishing (pulsed-DC, Smith Root 7.5 GPP) was conducted at night with 2 10-min transects twice a week at all 7 sites (total of 14 transects). Gill nets were set at the surface starting at night at each site and allowed to soak for 12 hours. As the lake thermally stratified, two gill nets were set at depths above the thermocline and two gill nets were set below the thermocline (for a total of 4 nets) to allow continued collection of species (striped bass and blueback herring) with low tolerance for warm surface temperatures. We sampled larval fish once during February and twice a month from March through September when no more larval fish were collected; at that time we again conducted larval tows once per month (this will continue through the fall and winter until the 2017 spawning season begins again in late March when samples will again be collected more frequently). Larval fishes were sampled using a tow net (50 cm diameter, 150 cm long, 500 μm mesh) with replicate 5 min transects at each site. Larval fish samples were preserved in 70% ethanol and returned to the lab. Abiotic/Water Chemistry Measures/Zooplankton: During each sampling trip and at each site we measured water temperature (from the surface to 40 m at 2-m intervals), measured Secchi depth (nearest cm), and collected surface water samples to quantify turbidity and chlorophyll-a concentration. We sampled the zooplankton at each site with a 50 µm mesh net (31-cm diameter, 91-cm long). Two replicate vertical tows were taken at each site every other week through the photic zone (estimated as twice the secchi depth). Zooplankton samples were preserved in 70% ethanol and returned to the lab. The taxonomic composition of the zooplankton community across sample dates and sample sites was as follows: Bosmina contributed ~29%, copepod nauplii contributed ~36%, calanoid copepods contributed ~6%, cyclopoid copepods contributed ~22%, and the invasive Daphnia lumholtzi contributed ~4.5%. Larval Fishes: Larval fish sampling began in late February 2016 and will continue into 2018. Peak density of larval fish during 2016 occurred during early June with a total catch of 43 individual larval fish. Peak abundance for larval blueback herring occurred in late April. There was a low total catch of all clupeids 23 total (19 blueback herring, 1 threadfin shad, and 3 gizzard shad). The most abundant species captured in larval fish tows was brook silversides (36 total). Overall catch rate for larval fish was low with a total of 94 individuals captured. CPUE for all of the larval fish across the months of February - November was 0.08 larval fish/minute yielding 0.01 larval fish/m3. None of the clupeids contained diets for analysis to allow determination of whether competition might be occurring between larval fishes. Larval crappie had the most measurable diet items and seem to be feeding primarily on copepod nauplii. Recruitment: Analysis of largemouth bass age-frequency data showed that age-1 and age-2 largemouth bass are the most frequent ages being caught, although our total catch was 89 largemouth bass. Age-0 largemouth bass (total of only 2 individuals) are poorly represented in our catches, suggesting that recruitment is likely poor. The age structure of Alabama bass did not show weak year class of ages 1 and 2, and we were able to collect 26 age-0s. The age-frequency histogram indicates a gradual decline for fish older than age-2, but still had higher numbers of older age fish compared to those for largemouth bass. We collected a total of 696 Alabama bass. The shift from largemouth bass to Alabama bass appears to be continuing. Further sampling and analysis will allow determination of whether this trend continues and is intensifying. Caloric Density of Forage Fishes: When considering a new fish prey type in any system it is important to consider the changes in caloric contribution from native and introduced prey that is available to piscivores via these prey species. Blueback herring and threadfin shad were collected from Smith Lake and caloric densities estimated using bomb calorimetry. As more specimens are collected we will compare caloric densities across seasons and sample sites to better understand energy allocation throughout Smith Lake. Hydroacoustics: Hydroacoustic surveys were completed on Lewis Smith Lake during July 25-27, on Lake Martin during July 28-30, and on Yates Lake on July 30, 2016. These times were chosen because the reservoirs are fully stratified during this period. Blueback herring and striped bass have lower thermal tolerances than other fishes in the lake and adult blueback herring and striped bass would have to be located below the thermocline. Transects covered all major pelagic zones from the north ends of the major branches all the way down to the Dam Forebay. The next step in this analysis is to estimate whole-system densities of blueback herring, threadfin shad, and striped bass. This is possible by using the unique signals returned from the air bladders of the fish to estimate fish size. It should be possible to separate threadfin shad from basses, catfishes, crappies and larger fish above the thermocline and blueback herring from striped bass below the thermocline because of differences in the size of each taxon.
Publications
- Type:
Book Chapters
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
DeVries, D.R., and R.A. Wright. 2016. Fishes. Chapter 13 (pages 93-100) in G. A. Waselkov, C.F. Andrus, and G.E. Plumb, editors. A state of knowledge of the natural, cultural, and economic resources of the Greater Mobile-Tensaw River area. U.S. National Park Service Natural Resource Report NPS/NRSS/BRD/NRR-2016/1243. 238+xx pages.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Grove, G.L. 2016. Evaluating the potential impacts of the introduced blueback herring, Alosa aestivalis, on the aquatic communities in Lewis Smith Lake, Alabama. Masters thesis, Auburn University, AL. 90+ix pages.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Colvin, S.A.R. 2016. An Examination of Stream Fishes at 3 Levels: Species-Area and Environmental Interactive Influences on Fish Species Richness, Stream Type Influences on Assemblage Membership, and Variation in Weight-Length Parameters by Stream Type & Fish Trait. PhD Dissertation, Auburn University, AL. 132+xii pages.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Kemp, C.M. 2016. Comparing Aquatic Communities across Spatial and Environmental Scales in the Mobile Bay Estuary. asters thesis, Auburn University, AL. 90+vii pages.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Stanfill, A., D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2016. Assessing Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) populations in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Joint Annual Meeting of the Alabama Chapter of the American Fisheries Society and the Georgia Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Columbus, Georgia.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Colvin, S., B. Helms, D. DeVries, and J. Feminella. 2016. Environmental and fish assemblage differences between blackwater and clearwater streams of coastal Alabama. Meeting of Weeks Bay Biologists, Weeks Bay, Alabama.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
DeVries, D.R., and C.R. Arias. 2016. Preparation of Students as Fish Hatchery Biologists: An Academic Perspective from Auburn University. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Kansas City, Missouri. (invited presentation).
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2016
Citation:
Stanfill, A., D.R. DeVries, and R.A. Wright. 2016. Assessing southern flounder populations in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society, Kansas City, Missouri.
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