Effects of transportation infrastructure on fishes in the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains

Abstract

Rivers worldwide are fragmented by transportation infrastructure that blocks the movements of aquatic organisms. To assess the effects of road culverts on stream fishes in the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains regions of Oklahoma, we surveyed 39 free-flowing sites, 29 sites upstream and 29 sites downstream of culverts. We observed differences in species richness and abundance between free-flowing sites, sites upstream of a culvert, and downstream sites. We also found that the degree to which a culvert affected richness and abundance depended on culvert type and length. Furthermore, the culverts in the poorest condition had the greatest effects on abundance and richness. Replacement of these poor condition culverts is likely a high priority for both conservation groups and infrastructure agencies. Our findings enable conservation practitioners to identify structures that may be high priorities for aquatic organism passage projects, including those that may benefit from cost-sharing or collaboration with infrastructure agencies.