Document Type

Article

Publication Version

Version of Record

Publication Date

1-2014

Departmental Paper Identifier

NRM-128

Keywords

fish assemblage structure, CAP analysis, floodplain lake, Mississippi alluvial valley, depth

Abstract

We examined the interaction between environmental variables measured at three different scales (i.e., landscape, lake, and in-lake) and fish assemblage descriptors across a range of over 50 floodplain lakes in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley of Mississippi and Arkansas. Our goal was to identify important local- and landscape-level determinants of fish assemblage structure. Relationships between fish assemblage structure and variables measured at broader scales (i.e., landscape-level and lake-level) were hypothesized to be stronger than relationships with variables measured at finer scales (i.e., in-lake variables). Results suggest that fish assemblage structure in floodplain lakes was influenced by variables operating on three different scales. However, and contrary to expectations, canonical correlations between in-lake environmental characteristics and fish assemblage structure were generally stronger than correlations between landscape-level and lake-level variables and fish assemblage structure, suggesting a hierarchy of influence. From a resource management perspective, our study suggests that landscape-level and lake-level variables may be manipulated for conservation or restoration purposes, and in-lake variables and fish assemblage structure may be used to monitor the success of such efforts.

Publication Title

Hydrobiologia

Volume

721

First Page

129

Last Page

144

Pages

16

Format

application/pdf

Language

en

DOI of Published Version

10.1007/s10750-013-1655-x

Publisher

Springer

Rights

A work produced within the official duties of an employee of the United States Government are not subject to copyright within the U.S.

Comments

This work is form Hydrobiologia 721:129-144.

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