Abstract
The islands and associated back channels on the Ohio River, USA, are believed to provide critical habitat features for several wildlife species. However, few studies have quantitatively evaluated habitat quality in these areas. Our main objective was to evaluate the habitat quality of back and main channel areas for several species using habitat suitability index (HSI) models. To test the effectiveness of these models, we attempted to relate HSI scores and the variables measured for each model with measures of relative abundance for the model species. The mean belted kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) HSI was greater on the main than back channel. However, the model failed to predict kingfisher abundance. The mean reproduction component of the great blue heron (Ardea herodias) HSI, total common muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) HSI, winter cover component of the snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) HSI, and brood-rearing component of the wood duck (Aix sponsa) HSI were all greater on the back than main channel, and were positively related with the relative abundance of each species. We found that island back channels provide characteristics not found elsewhere on the Ohio River and warrant conservation as important riparian wildlife habitat. The effectiveness of using HSI models to predict species abundance on the river was mixed. Modifications to several of the models are needed to improve their use on the Ohio River and, likely, other large rivers.
Highlights
Over the past 200 years, industrialization and navigational projects have dramatically altered the Ohio River, USA, essentially changing it from a free-flowing river to a series of connected lakes [1]
Our main objective with this study was to evaluate the potential wildlife value, based on Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) scores, of back channel and main channel areas associated with islands on the Ohio River
This study was conducted on back channel and main channel areas associated with 10 islands (Captina, Paden, Williamson, Wells, Mill Creek, Middle, Buckley, Muskingum, Neal, and Buffington) on the Ohio River, West Virginia, USA (Figure 1)
Summary
Over the past 200 years, industrialization and navigational projects have dramatically altered the Ohio River, USA, essentially changing it from a free-flowing river to a series of connected lakes [1]. Summaries of each of these models can be found in Zadnik [21] These species are commonly associated with riparian areas and are known to exist along the Ohio River [22]. We believed the variables measured in accordance with these models should provide a thorough representation of the overall habitat quality of the study area. Our main objective with this study was to evaluate the potential wildlife value, based on HSI scores, of back channel and main channel areas associated with islands on the Ohio River. To test the effectiveness of these models on the Ohio River, and potentially other large rivers, we related HSI scores and the variables measured for each model with measures of relative abundance for the model species
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