Influences of Riparian Shade on Reservoir Water Quality, Macroinvertebrates, and Fish

Shade is defined as the coolness and darkness caused by shelter from solar radiation. In freshwater shade is most commonly provided by riparian vegetation, which can affect water quality through its effects on temperature and light. Shade also impacts macroinvertebrate assemblages and fish communities by shifting functional feeding groups and though changing periphyton composition and also by altering habitat selection, prey behavior and predator success. The purpose of this research was to explore riparian shade influences on (1) water quality changes, (2) macroinvertebrate composition, and (3) fish distribution along reservoir near-shore areas. Sampling was conducted in 20 shaded and non-shaded paired sites on impounded reservoirs along the Tennessee-Tombigbee waterway in MS, U.S.A.  Daily fluctuations in temperature, light intensity, dissolved oxygen, nitrate and phosphorous were measured in situ over 24-h periods with auto-samplers. Macroinvertebrate samples were conducted via an Eckman dredge, organisms were identified to genus, and functional feeding groups were described.  Fish were collected using rotenone and species as well as environmental tolerance were identified.  At the time this abstract was written sufficient data had not been collected to form conclusions, but up-to-date results of this study will be presented.