Watershed-Scale Conservation of Fish Habitats in the Edwards Plateau Ecoregion of Texas

The Edwards Plateau Ecoregion of central Texas is a largely karst landscape with numerous springs and streams supporting many endemic aquatic species.  It is also a region dominated by private land ownership, requiring successful partnership between landowners, governmental agencies, and non-governmental agencies to achieve meaningful conservation results.  Herein we describe watershed-scale conservation of fish habitats under the Southeast Native Black Bass Initiative through the Southeast Aquatic Research Partnership.  Examples of watershed-scale conservation efforts include, but are not limited to, technical guidance to landowners to improve land management in uplands and riparian areas, incentivized restoration and conservation best management practices, and management of invasive species in instream and riparian habitats.  These strategies have been implemented with the aim of conserving and improving fish habitats while also meeting landowners’ goals for their respective properties (e.g., agricultural production, recreation, wildlife habitat).  Specific examples and broader strategies for accomplishing conservation at the watershed scale will be discussed, as will current and future efforts in focal watersheds in the region.