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LARGE-SCALE PATTERNS OF STREAMFLOW DISTURBANCE AND FISH ASSEMBLAGES IN UPPER MISSOURI RIVER BASIN, USA
Citation:
Kelly, V. J. AND D H. Landers. LARGE-SCALE PATTERNS OF STREAMFLOW DISTURBANCE AND FISH ASSEMBLAGES IN UPPER MISSOURI RIVER BASIN, USA.
Impact/Purpose:
To describe the relationship between streamflow variability and fish assemblages
Description:
Patterns of streamflow variability are likely to be a major organizing feature of the habitat template for stream fishes. Ecological organization of stream communities has been linked to streamflow, especially to patterns of flow variability that describe the physical disturbance regime in streams. The streamflow disturbance regime is frequently represented by the variability in the intensity and predictability in flood- and low-flow periods. In this preliminary analysis, patterns of annual peak- and minimum-flow variability add useful context to that provided by catchment and channel-habitat characteristics for understanding the response of fish assemblages to physical habitat conditions in the upper Missouri River Basin. Fish response is described primarily by ecological characterization.