Desired future condition: Fish habitat in southwestern riparian-stream habitats

Abstract

Riparian ecosystems in the southwestern United States provide valuable habitats for many living organisms including native fishes. An analysis of habitat components important to native fishes was made based on the literature, case histories, and unpublished and observational data. Results suggest a natural, surface water hydrograph and lack of introduced species of fishes being the two most critical habitat components delimiting sustainability of native fishes in the Southwest. Vegetation. channel characteristics and instream hydrological features (i.e. depth, velocity, and substrate) are important in distribution and sustainability of native fishes but secondary to the first two and are more important or relevant as management activities affect them. Desired Future Condition for native southwestern fishes ultimately depends on proper or desirable functioning of riparian ecosystems.

Parent Publication

• Desired future conditions for Southwestern riparian ecosystems: Bringing interests and concerns together

Citation

Rinne, John N. 1996. Desired future condition: Fish habitat in southwestern riparian-stream habitats. In: Shaw, Douglas W.; Finch, Deborah M., tech coords. Desired future conditions for Southwestern riparian ecosystems: Bringing interests and concerns together. 1995 Sept. 18-22, 1995; Albuquerque, NM. General Technical Report RM-GTR-272. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. p. 336-345.