Download - Aquatic Ecology Envirothon Training
Aquatic EcologyEnvirothon Training
By: Allen Pattillo and Eric MammoserIowa State UniversityFisheries Extension
Essential Topics
• Aquatic Ecology– Abiotic– Biotic– Community
• Aquatic Resource Issues• Aquatic Resource Management and Protection
Pennsylvania Conservation Commission
• 14 members• Charge is to ensure wise use of natural resources and to protect
and restore the natural environment• Programs:
– Agricultural Air Quality Task Force – Commercial Manure Hauler and Broker Certification Program – Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Program (DGRMP) – Nutrient Management Certification Program – Nutrient Management Program – Odor Management Certification Program – Odor Management Program – Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP)
Aquatic Ecology: Abiotic
WaterChemical Properties
• pH– P = -log(H+
[concentration])– Scale from 0 (acid) to 14 (base) – Pure water = pH 7
• Alkalinity – Concentration of Carbonates in
the water– Buffers water pH
• Hardness– Concentration of cations in the
water– Nutrients available to plants and
animals
Physical Properties• Flow Rate
– Lentic (lake) vs. Lotic (river)– Species tolerances to flow
• Temperature– Dissolved oxygen– Thermocline– Metabolism
• Turbidity – Water clarity– Photosynthesis– habitat
• Surface tension– Adhesion and cohesion– Gas transfer
Aquatic Ecology: Community
Streams Physical, Chemical, and Biological changes in the stream continuum
• Gradient/Flow rate• Substrate/turbidity• Temperature• Water quality• Species
Aquatic Resource Management and Protection: Restoration of Aquatic Organisms
Migratory fish species restoration• Recognizing the biological and economic importance of migratory fish species, the
restoration of these fish to Commonwealth waters is a top Commission priority. The Commission will work in concert with others committed to the restoration effort to ensure the success of these programs.
Strategies for restoring migratory fish• Ensure the restoration of anadromous species through the use of adequate Commission
resources and through active participation in restoration partnerships. • Promote migratory fish restoration efforts to ensure long-term support for their
protection and management. • Remove barriers to migratory fish runs and implement fish passage when removal is not
feasible. • Restrict harvest of migratory fish during the restoration process. • Actively enforce management regulations designed to protect restoration efforts. • Artificially propagate shad and other migratory fish until wild stocks achieve self-
sustaining levels. • Develop effective outreach and education programs to promote public awareness and
the restoration of migratory fish runs.
Fishes Identification: Catfish-ish
Channel CatfishIctalurus punctatus
Scattered dark spots on light colored backand side
Forked caudal fin
Flathead CatfishPolydictis olivaris
Wide, flat head
Lower jaw projectsIn front of upper jaw
Eyes on top of head,Not side
Brown BullheadAmeiurus nebulosus
Brown/black mottling On body
Smaller body with moreRounded head
Fish Identification: Trout-types
• Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)– Green-ish body– Slightly forked caudal fin– Wavy lines/blotches on back– Blue halos around red spots
• Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)– Red and black spots on a brown/yellow body– Nearly straight edged caudal fin
Fish Identification: Sunfishes
Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)Dark spot on back of anal and dorsal findDark colored opercular flapYellow breast and blue gillsCompressed or thin body form
Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides
Jaw extendes well beyond eyeGreen/olive in colorBroad, black stripe down side
Rock Bass Ambloplites rupestris
Black edges on dorsal,Caudal and anal finMost scales on sides haveFlecks or dark spots
Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu
Dark brown colorDark mottling on sidesJaw does not extend beyond eye
Fish Identification: Pike vs Muskie
Northern PikeEsox lucius
Horizontal markingsBlack spots on all fins except pectoralRounded caudal fin
MuskellungeEsox masquinongy
Verticle bandingNo spots on pectoral or pelvic finPointed caudal fin
Chain PickerelEsox niger
Green chainlike pattern on yellow side3-5 pores
Fish Identification: Perches
WalleyeSander vitreus
Green/bronze in colorWhite edge on bottom of caudal finTeeth!!5-12 dusky saddles
Yellow PerchPerca flavescens
6-9 saddlesYellow in colorBlack blotch on rear of dorsal fin
Fish Identification – Eel vs Lamprey
American EelAnguilla rostrata
Long dorsal fin extends for more than half the bodyContinuous with caudal and anal finSingle gill slitHas jaw
Sea Lamprey Petromyzon marinus
2 dorsal finsOral disc for a mouthMultiple gill slits
Fish Identification - weirdosAtlantic SturgeonAcipenser oxyrhynchus
Scutes along bodyBarbles under the rostrumMouth on bottomCaudal fin longer on top
PaddlefishPolyodon spathula
Large snout/rostrum shaped like a canoe paddle(1/3 body length)Gray/blue in colorVERY large mouth
Fish Identification – Small stream fishBlacknose daceRhinichthys atratulus
Black stripe along sideBrown top with lighter bottom
Greensided darterEtheostoma blennioides
Green fins6-7 saddles
Mottled sculpinCottus bairdi
Dark brown to black mottlingSpeckled chin
Fish Identification – bottom feeders
Common CarpCyprinus carpio
Large scales Barbles on mouth
White SuckerCatostomus commersoni
Mouth on under side of faceNotch on lower lip
Fish ID
Striped BassMorone saxatilisBlack stripes along the length of the body
Aquatic Ecology: Community
StreamsPhysical, Chemical, and Biological changes
in the stream continuumTrophic levels and Niches along the
stream continuum
Aquatic Ecology: Abiotic
WaterInfluence on Watershed Influence of the Water Cycle
Aquatic Ecology: Abiotic
WaterWatershed/Stream IdentificationStream Order
Aquatic Ecology: BioticAquatic Organisms
Organism Identification Life Cycles of Aquatic Organisms
Aquatic Ecology: BioticAquatic Organisms
Adaptations of Aquatic Organisms Habitat Needs
Aquatic Ecology: Community
WetlandsIdentification of aquatic and wetland
environments Functions and Values of Wetlands
Aquatic Ecology: Community
StreamsEnergy flow in aquatic food chains