Re-Inventory of Fishes in Kings Mountain National Military Park
English JJ, Lanning WK, McAninch S, English LR. 2012. Re-Inventory of Fishes in Kings Mountain National Military Park
A resurvey of fish in streams on Kings Mountain National Military Park (KIMO) was conducted following a prolonged period of record-setting temperatures and regional drought, with special attention given to Carolina Darter, Etheostoma collis, the species of highest conservation priority to South Carolina. This resurvey compares findings to a previous survey (Scott 2006) that was conducted in comparable fashion. In general, overall fish abundance, species richness and species diversity declined when considering KIMO as a whole or comparing individual streams, with few exceptions. Several species that were present in the 2006 survey were not found in the resurvey, and a few additional species were found. Comparing the 2006 and 2011 surveys found that, in general, common species became more common and rare species became rarer. Variability in temperature and pH values may be useful in predicting survivability or relative success, as species found under a greater range of these variables were more likely to be in high numbers (greater than 5% of the overall community) and were more likely to have increased in abundance between the two surveys. Carolina Darters were found under a wide temperature and pH value range, and increased in abundance compared to the 2006 survey. Included is a specific description of a complex of microhabitat conditions consistently present in each Carolina Darter finding.
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- English, James; Lanning, W.; McAninch, Shepard; English, Lisa
- Date of Issue
- 2012
- Units
- CUPN , KIMO
- Keywords
- Drought, electroshocker, Fish, Inventory, Monitoring, Species Diversity
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Freshwater Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Fishes