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Ecosystems
Investigations Program |
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Eco
Home Projects Reports Geospatial Data Interactive Map Staff |
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Mission Statement To
promote the wise management, development, and conservation of Alabama's water
resources for the betterment of its citizens, and businesses through practice
of the geological, hydrological, and biological sciences.
Etheostoma trisella Aquatic
biodiversity in Alabama ranks very high nationally, due in part to the
state's many river systems, diverse geology, and subtropical/temperate
climate. Examining and monitoring this diversity offers Survey biologists the
opportunity to assess important factors that affect the quality of our water
resources. Moreover, Survey biologists
accrue basic aquatic biological information through intensive field work that
can be used to monitor and manage Alabama's water resources more effectively
and efficiently. This information is used in resource management and species
distribution studies and is available for public use.
Lepomis Marginatus The
Ecosystems Investigations Program has three basic research functions;
biological surveys, water quality monitoring/assessment, and
interdisciplinary watershed studies. Investigations by Survey biologists in
the recent past documented the habitats and distributions of fishes in the
Mobile-Tensaw River Delta and the Tennessee, Cahaba, lower Tombigbee, and
Black Warrior River systems; in the Gilbertown, Pollard, and Citronelle oil
field areas; and in streams draining the Warrior coalfield. Investigating
Alabama's rich mussel fauna in numerous river systems statewide has also been
performed recently, including the Alabama, Chattahoochee, Choctawhatchee,
Conecuh, Tennessee, and Tombigbee Rivers and their tributaries. Survey
biologists are also assisting in developing distribution information on the
relatively unknown crayfish fauna of the state through field collecting,
database development of collection records, and producing species
distribution maps. Fishes of Alabama and the Mobile Basin, an 820-page book
mapping the distribution of more than 300 species of freshwater and selected
marine fishes, was completed in 1996 by Survey biologists in cooperation with
the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). The
book is designed to appeal to a variety of readers of from the fisherman to
the scientist. Special features of the book include detailed, full-color
photographs of more than 300 species
of freshwater and marine fishes; color physiographic maps showing dot distributions
for 300 fish species in those areas; and a species checklist. The Survey
maintains small reference collections of fishes, mussels, crayfishes, and
aquatic insects that are available for scientific use or public tour.
Cambarus Diogenes The
Ecosystems Investigations Program has also been actively involved in
documenting the movements of large riverine fishes in Alabama, such as the
southeastern blue sucker, smallmouth buffalo, paddlefish, and Gulf sturgeon.
These studies have led to a better understanding of how fishes utilize rivers
throughout the year and will assist state and federal conservation agencies
and river management agencies to better fulfill their water resources
mandates and obligations.
Mussel sampling on
Clear Creek Past
biological/water-quality monitoring studies have assessed the impacts of
pollution, timber management practices, coalbed
methane production, and coal mining on aquatic ecosystems in the Cahaba River
and Locust, Mulberry, and Sipsey Forks of the Black
Warrior River. Monitoring a population
of the endangered Alabama cave shrimp and water quality in Bobcat Cave and
Matthews Caves, as well as the population of Tuscumbia darters in Williams
Spring, all on Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville, provides the U.S. Army with the information it needs to
protect these animals and their habitats. Intensive surveys of caves in north
Alabama led to the discovery of a new population of the Alabama cave shrimp
and provided valuable records of other cave-dwelling species.
Muscadine Survey
biologists have worked closely with biologists of the Alabama Department of
Environmental Management (ADEM) and ADCNR to develop a standardized fish
community sampling protocol and statewide analysis tool for evaluating stream
biological condition. This tool will
be invaluable for evaluating stream water quality and providing biological
justification to water quality management decisions. Additionally, the
Ecosystems Investigation Program has recently partnered with the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, the Alabama Clean Water Partnership, and ADCNR to focus
on recovery and restoration of rare aquatic animals through a process known
as the Strategic Habitat Initiative. Bringing watershed stakeholders and
partners cooperatively together to improve aquatic habitat and water quality
will be a significant part of how water resources will be managed and
protected in the future and the Ecosystems Investigation Program is helping
to put this process into effect. |
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