Associations Between Fish Assemblages and Agricultural Land Use in the Nolichucky River Watershed, Tennessee

The goal of our study is to explore relationships between agricultural landscapes and the structure of fish assemblage and biotic integrity in the watershed. During July-October 2014, backpack electrofishing at riffle-run habitats and seine hauls in pools were used to  sample fish assemblages at sites considered least impacted (n=4), moderately impacted (n=2), and most impacted (n=4) by agricultural fields. Cluster analysis and Sum F tests revealed that fish assemblages were different based on site impairment classifications (43 species, riffle:run 5,279 fish, pool: 1,206 fish).  Results of indicator species analysis (ISA) suggested that, for riffle-run habitats, Nothonotus acuticeps, Nothonotus camurum, Etheostoma blennioides and Etheostoma simoterum were strong indicators (Indicator values > 25; P < 0.01) of the least impacted condition from the warmer, main stem sites.  Cottus bairdi and Notropis rubricroceus were strong indicators of the least impacted condition in cooler, higher-elevation tributary sites. Species indicative of heavily impacted sites were Nothonotus rufilineatus and Cottus carolinae.  For pool habitats, least impacted indicator species included only Notropis telescopus. Luxilus coccogenis was indicative of most impacted sites.  We continue to assess impacts of agricultural landscapes on health and condition of aquatic biota, including benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages and fish physiology (e.g., intersex condition, parasite load, sensory system development).