Regions of High Fish Diversity for Conservation Concern within the U.S. Central Plains

Abstract

ABSTRACT Fish samples from 300 stream sites in Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri were used to identify potential conservation areas based on (a) number of endemic species, (b) number of threatened and endangered species, c) Index of Biotic Integrity scores, and d) species/family richness. Three areas emerged as potential high-priority conservation areas—the Ozark plateau, south-central Kansas and the Nebraska Sand Hills. The techniques used here can highlight watersheds and streams of potential management concern.