Habitat Use of the Watercress Darter (Etheostoma nuchale): An Endangered Fish in an Urban Landscape

Abstract

Abstract The federally endangered watercress darter (Etheostoma nuchale) is restricted to only five springs within the greater Birmingham (AL) metropolitan area. Restricted range, subpopulation isolation and threats from the urban landscape are the major factors endangering the species. The preferred habitat of E. nuchale has been described as the deeper, slow-moving portions of spring pools with dense aquatic vegetation, but its habitat use patterns have not been carefully studied. Because the long-term survival of E. nuchale will likely depend on the protection and restoration of suitable habitat, more needs to be known about its preferred habitats. We studied habitat use patterns of E. nuchale and the geomorphologic and environmental conditions associated with these habitats in Seven Springs, a population recently discovered in 2003. Geomorphology and vegetation were surveyed throughout the spring pool and the spring run connecting it to the nearest tributary. Fish were surveyed via seining in eight di...