Status of native stream fishes within selected protected areas of Niobrara River in western Nebraska

Great Plains Research
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Lotic systems within the Great Plains are characterized by highly fluctuating conditions through both space and time. Fishes inhabiting these systems have adopted specific life-history strategies to survive in such environments; however, anthropogenic disturbance to prairie streams has resulted in declines and extirpation of many native stream fishes. Terrestrial protected areas (i.e., parks and reserves) are designated to support native flora and fauna and, it is assumed, to provide protection to native fishes. We assessed the presence and relative abundance of stream fish populations within protected areas along the Niobrara River in western Nebraska based on data collected during 1979, 1989, 2008, and 2011. The spatial extent of protection, landscape changes resulting in degraded physiochemical parameters, and introduced species may reduce the effectiveness of these terrestrial protected areas in protecting native fishes in Great Plains stream environments.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Status of native stream fishes within selected protected areas of Niobrara River in western Nebraska
Series title Great Plains Research
DOI 10.1353/gpr.2014.0009
Volume 24
Issue 1
Year Published 2014
Language English
Publisher Center for Great Plains Studies
Description 8 p.
First page 71
Last page 78
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details