Fish population dynamics during the establishment phase of a constructed wetland

Abstract

The Wetlands Park Nature Preserve in Clark County Nevada is a constructed wetland that is home to several species of fish. The purpose of this study is to report on the fluctuations of the fish populations during the first 20 months of monitoring at the Wetlands Park Nature Preserve. This thesis analyzes the fish monitoring data in order to assess the behavior of the fish population of the Wetlands Preserve. As the environment at the Wetland has changed during its initial establishment, so has the fish population. Using data collected during the monthly monitoring protocol from June 2001 to January of 2003, I will describe fluctuations in fish trap numbers in order to reveal behaviors in fish such as predator-prey relationships, species mating patterns, and the general behavior of the fish population at the WPNP. This research will be useful for WPNP managers and future authors, as there is very little information about the dynamics of fish populations in constructed wetlands in arid regions.