Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


47784.pdf (13.07 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Developing, Validating, and Applying Fish Habitat Assessment Methodology for Littoral Habitat in Boatable Waterbodies

Fletcher, Taher
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1703173874413942

Abstract Details

2023, MS, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences.
Aquatic habitat is one of the most important drivers of sportfish population dynamics and behavior in freshwater ecosystems, and fisheries management efforts often concentrate on the inventorying, monitoring, and enhancement of aquatic habitat features. However, the collection of aquatic habitat data has been historically difficult due to the limitations and deficiencies of traditional, quadrat-based sampling methods. Specifically, traditional sampling methods are often arduous, time-intensive, and limited by environmental factors such as depth and turbidity. Side-scan sonar has been identified as a tool that can improve aquatic habitat sampling. Side-scan sonar systems are able to efficiently collect benthic imagery encompassing a wide range of aquatic habitat features and are not subject to the same limitations as traditional sampling methods. The primary purpose of this project was to develop a standardized aquatic habitat assessment methodology using side-scan sonar that can be implemented by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources – Division of Wildlife (ODNR-DOW) in reservoirs throughout the state. This methodology will allow for the creation of large-scale habitat inventories and will provide insight into potential management actions by ODNR-DOW that can improve sport fisheries throughout Ohio. As part of developing this methodology, we first compared the relative utility and performance of a recreational Lowrance and survey-grade EdgeTech side-scan sonar system to determine which was the superior tool for collecting littoral habitat data in Ohio reservoirs. We manually quantified submerged woody debris, standing timber, aquatic vegetation, and benthic substrate using imagery from each sonar system and compared habitat classification accuracy, habitat values, GIS processing times, and the level of variation in habitat values generated by separate GIS users/operators. Based on our results, we ultimately concluded that recreational side-scan sonar systems such as the Lowrance are the optimal tool for surveying littoral habitat features in reservoirs. For the second part of this project, we used habitat values generated from recreational side-scan sonar imagery to examine relationships between largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans) and littoral habitat features in our study reservoirs. We wanted to determine whether, and to what extent, submerged woody debris, aquatic vegetation, coarse rocky substrate, and littoral depth explained variation in electrofishing catch rates of largemouth bass among the study reservoirs. We used generalized linear models and generalized linear mixed models to perform fish-habitat regression analyses. Ultimately, although some habitat predictors were significantly related to catch, our models did not reveal clear and consistent relationships between littoral habitat features and largemouth bass catch rates among our study reservoirs. This result is primarily attributable to the low sample size and lack of statistical power in our dataset. Despite this limitation, we still conclude that recreational side-scan sonar is an efficient and cost-effective tool for sampling littoral habitat in reservoir environments.
Michael Booth, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Jeremy Pritt, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Stephen Matter, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
187 p.
Natural Resource Management
aquatic habitat; reservoirs; side-scan sonar; fisheries management; littoral zone; largemouth bass

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Fletcher, T. (2023). Developing, Validating, and Applying Fish Habitat Assessment Methodology for Littoral Habitat in Boatable Waterbodies [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1703173874413942

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Fletcher, Taher. Developing, Validating, and Applying Fish Habitat Assessment Methodology for Littoral Habitat in Boatable Waterbodies. 2023. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1703173874413942.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Fletcher, Taher. "Developing, Validating, and Applying Fish Habitat Assessment Methodology for Littoral Habitat in Boatable Waterbodies." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1703173874413942

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1703173874413942
63
© 2023, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.