Habitat Restoration Leads to Higher Density and Diversity of Fishes in Small Midwestern Stream

In the Midwestern United States, millions of dollars are spent on the restoration of streams; however, little research has been conducted to assess the impact of habitat enhancement on the aquatic biota.  We sought to assess the impact of instream restoration on fish communities in a small Midwestern stream. Beginning fall 2009, we sampled four sites (2 control and 2 restored) twice annually (spring and fall) using an electric seine. Sampling at these sites was conducted twice preceding restoration (fall 2009 and spring 2010), once one week subsequent to restoration (Fall 2010) and twice after restoration (spring and fall 2011). In the restored reaches, species richness increased and the fish community assemblage changed (ANOSIM, p < 0.004) subsequent to restoration. Relative density of fishes, particularly Ictularidae and Cyprinidae, increased after restoration. Seasonally, fall showed higher density of Cyprinidae, Ictularidae, Centrarchidae and Catostomidae compared to spring. Additionally, diversity of the fish assemblage was significantly greater in fall (D = 6.32) compared to spring (D = 5.10) (p < 0.05). These data suggest the need for standardized sampling protocols to include season as a variable.  Sampling will be continued and data will be assayed to determine the impact of instream restoration.