Relation of Instream Habitat and Physical Conditions to Fish Communities of Agricultural Streams in the Northern Midwest

Abstract

Abstract Fish, instream habitat, and physical stream conditions were surveyed in 29 agricultural streams in the Red River of the North basin during summer 1994 and the Minnesota River basin during summer 1997. Our goal was to determine which instream habitat and physical conditions should be considered for stream restoration. Principle components analysis identified six axes that explained 79% of the total variability in instream habitat and physical conditions. Percent run, percent boulder, percent woody debris, percent overhanging vegetation, percent sand, and frequency of erosion were the variables best associated with these axes. Multiple linear regression analysis of the instream habitat and physical conditions explained 14–50% of the variability in fish community composition. Managers of agricultural warmwater streams in the northern Midwest should emphasize these six instream habitat and physical conditions, and the factors that influence them, during stream restoration.