Habitat Influence on Fish Community Assemblage in an Agricultural Landscape in Four East Central Indiana Streams

Abstract

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to relate the quality of the fish community with habitat using the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) and Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) in four agriculturally influenced streams in east central, Indiana. A total of 48 species was collected from 42 sites. IBI scores ranged from 14 to 48, and QHEI scores ranged from 29 to 83. There was a significant positive correlation between IBI and QHEI scores. Furthermore, we found significant positive correlations between IBI scores and four individual QHEI metrics (channel morphology, substrate, poollglide and riffletrun quality, and in-stream cover). Habitat influenced the fish assemblages with channelization and substrate being the primary structuring factors. The land use in this area is 70% agriculture, which has heavily influenced lotic character through anthropogenic practices.