Geology topics

Johnie H. Crance

Publications and source records attributed to Johnie H. Crance.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS1997

Transferability of habitat suitability criteria for fishes in warmwater streams

We developed habitat suitability criteria and tested their transferability for nine fishes inhabiting unregulated Piedmont and Coastal Plain streams in Alabama. Criteria for optimal habitat were defined as those ranges of depth, velocity, substrate type, and cover type for which a species' suitability index (proportional abundance divided by proportional habitat availability, scaled from 0 to I) equalled or exceeded 0.4. We evaluated the transferability of criteria between study sites by testing the null hypothesis that species occurrence in a sample was independent of whether or not the sample was taken in optimal habitat. We also tested criteria transference to a large, flow‐regulated river sampled during low‐flow periods. Depth, velocity, and most substrate criteria developed for the bronze darter Percina palmaris successfully transferred between unregulated streams and to the flow‐regulated river samples. All criteria developed for a pair of closely related, allopatric darter species. the newly described lipstick darter Etheostoma chuckwachatte and the greenbreast darter E. jordani , transferred successfully when applied between species (in the unregulated sites) and to the regulated river samples. In contrast, criteria for the Alabama shiner Cyprinella callistia failed nearly all tests of transferability. Criteria for the speckled darter E. stigmaeum , the blackbanded darter P. nigrofasciata , an undescribed Percina species, and a pair of related, allopatric Cyprinella species transferred inconsistently. The species with good criteria transference had high suitability indices for the shallow depths. fast current velocities. and coarse substrates characteristic of riffle species. We suggest that microhabitat criteria for riffle fishes are more likely to provide a transferable measure of habitat quality than criteria for fishes that, although restricted to fluvial habitats, commonly occupy a variety of pool and riffle habitats.

North American Journal of Fisheries Management↗

USGS1989

Habitat suitability criteria for assessment of instream flow needs of fish

In the western portion of the United States, competition for stream water gas often been fierce. Water resource management agencies in the southeastern United States, where water has been relatively abundant, are not being faced with similar competing demands for water, and with increasing pressures to develop and defend recommendations for protecting fish and invertebrates in streams. Streamflow depletion at any time can result in severe long-term effects on fish populations(Peters, 1982). The allocation of stream water to any numerous instream or offstream uses is tied to the issues of water quantity, quality, and timing, which center on two critical questions: (1)when and how much water of an acceptable quality should be left in a stream, and (2) what happens if flow regimes are changed? Answers to these questions will probably be complex, but reliable answers are needed to protect instream and offstream values. If instream flow interests expect to compete with offstream uses for limited water supplies, they must be able to determine reliable and defensible methods for determining instream flow needs and demonstrate the environmental consequences of altered flow regimes. My objectives in this paper are: (a) to present an overview of the need, development, and use of stream habitat suitability criteria, and the use of these criteria for the assessment of instream flow needs; (b) to give a status report on the plan of the National Ecology Research Center (NERC) for expansion of instream flow research in the Southeast; and (c) to discuss the relevancy of the research to river corridor management.

Book↗

USGS1987

Guidelines for using the Delphi Technique to develop habitat suitability index curves

Habitat Suitability Index (SI) curves are one method of presenting species habitat suitability criteria. The curves are often used with the Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP) and are necessary components of the Instream Flow Incremental Methodology (IFIM) (Armour et al. 1984). Bovee (1986) described three categories of SI curves or habitat suitability criteria based on the procedures and data used to develop the criteria. Category I curves are based on professional judgment, with 1ittle or no empirical data. Both Category II (utilization criteria) and Category III (preference criteria) curves have as their source data collected at locations where target species are observed or collected. Having Category II and Category III curves for all species of concern would be ideal. In reality, no SI curves are available for many species, and SI curves that require intensive field sampling often cannot be developed under prevailing constraints on time and costs. One alternative under these circumstances is the development and interim use of SI curves based on expert opinion. The Delphi technique (Pill 1971; Delbecq et al. 1975; Linstone and Turoff 1975) is one method used for combining the knowledge and opinions of a group of experts. The purpose of this report is to describe how the Delphi technique may be used to develop expert-opinion-based SI curves.

FWS/OBS↗

USGS1986

Habitat Suitability Index Models and Instream Flow Suitability Curves: Shortnose sturgeon

A review and synthesis of existing information were used to develop habitat suitability index models and instream flow suitability curves for the shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum). The model consolidates habitat use information into a framework appropriate for field application, and is scaled to produce an index between 0.0 (unsuitable habitat) to 1.0 (optimum habitat). HSI models are designed to be used with Habitat Evaluation Procedures previously developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

FWS/OBS↗

USGS1985

Habitat Suitability Index Models and Instream Flow Suitability Curves: American shad

INTRODUCTION The American shad, an anadromous species, is the largest member of the herring family (Clupeidae) and is native to North America (Talbot and Sykes 1958; Hildebrand 1963; Walburg and Nichols 1967). Historically, the commercial fishery for American shad on the Atlantic coast was widespread and intense; in 1896 the estimated catch was 22.7 million kg (50 million lb). By 1960, however, the estimated catch had dropped to slightly more than 3.6 million kg (8 million lb), according to Walburg and Nichols (1967). Pollution, overfishing, and dams constructed across streams that prevent shad from reaching their spawning grounds have caused partial or total depletion of stocks (Hildebrand 1963). Several programs aimed at restoring American shad to their former range have been initiated by Federal and State agencies.

FWS/OBS↗

USGS1984

Habitat Suitability Index Models and Instream Flow Suitability Curves: Inland stocks of striped bass

The Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) models and instream flow Suitability Index (SI) presented in this publication aid in identifying important variables that determine the quality of striped bass habitat. Facts, ideas, and opinions obtained from published and unpublished reports, a Delphi panel of 18 striped bass experts/authorities, and the Striped Bass Committee, Southern Division, American Fisheries Society, are synthesized and presented in a format that can be used for habitat impact assessment and development of management alternatives.

FWS/OBS↗