A habitat assessment of rare and endangered species in the Upper Little Tennessee River Basin
- WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- James L. Miles (Creator)
- Institution
- Western Carolina University (WCU )
- Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
- Advisor
- Keith Gibbs
Abstract: The Southeastern United States is known for rich levels of aquatic diversity, especially within its fish and mussel species. However, aquatic diversity has decreased significantly within the region, putting much of the aquatic fauna at risk of being threatened, endangered, or becoming extinct. Decreases in diversity have been associated with the breakdown and displacement of aquatic habitat that is essential to these diverse communities of aquatic organisms. The detection and characterization of habitat use in imperiled fish and mussels are vital to fully understanding these species, with the hopes of preserving and possibly reintroducing them into their historic range where suitable habitat possibly still exists. Throughout this study, we identified, assessed, and compiled habitat availability in North Carolina’s and Georgia’s Little Tennessee River Basin waterways upstream of Fontana Reservoir. Information was used for developing habitat assessments for species of greatest conservation need and support reintroduction/restoration site selection. These species include fish species such as Stonecat (Noturus flavus), Spotfin Chub (Erimonax monachus), and the undescribed Sicklefin Redhorse (Moxostoma sp.). Mussels of interest include the Tennessee Clubshell (Pleurobema oviforme), Appalachian Elktoe (Alasmidonta raveneliana), and Slippershell (Alasmidonta viridis). This information will be used by management organizations to further support the conservation needs of the species.
A habitat assessment of rare and endangered species in the Upper Little Tennessee River Basin
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Created on 5/1/2024
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Language: English
- Date: 2024
- Subjects
- Habitat conservation
- Endangered species
- Species diversity
- Aquatic animals
- Habitat (Ecology)—Mathematical models