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