Great Plains LCC Prairie Fish Science Needs Related to the Alteration and Fragmentation of Watersheds and Physical Aquatic Habitats

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The alteration and fragmentation of watersheds and physical aquatic habitats has been identified as a major issue related to Great Plains Landscape Conservation Cooperative (GPLCC) priority prairie fish and is a primary focus for GPLCC science and research. Fish species identified as priorities of the GPLCC are Arkansas River shiner, Arkansas darter, Topeka shiner, Pallid sturgeon, Shovelnose sturgeon, and paddlefish. A set of specific science needs related to the alteration and fragmentation of watersheds and physical aquatic habitats have been identified as priorities for the GPLCC for Fiscal Year 2012. Research proposals must address at least one of the following specific science needs to be considered for funding: 1. Evaluation of habitat alteration and effects on species abundance and composition 2. Evaluation of watershed connectivity and effects on aquatic ecosystems (e.g., barriers to movement, effects on flow, etc) 3. Evaluation of the effects of landscape-scale changes to habitats on the fulfillment of life history needs of aquatic species 4. Assessment of changes in habitats and effects on nutrient inputs, cycling and food web dynamics (e.g., linkages between riparian zones and terrestrial inputs into aquatic food webs) 5. Evaluation of changes in sediment transport and fluvial processes on abundance and diversity of aquatic habitats and community composition 6. A need to monitor and evaluate the distribution and effects of riparian invasives on structural habitats and fluvial processes (e.g., salt cedar, giant reed, purple loosestrife, etc) 7. Evaluation of the effects of habitat management actions (e.g., chemical treatments) on food webs and non-target species (plants and animals) 8. Quantification of the effects of groundwater withdrawals on in-stream flows, wetland persistence and spring flow 9. Development of coherent water allocation strategies that identify needs of fish and wildlife and competing uses (agriculture, industry, municipal water supply, recreation)

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