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Fish ecoregions of Kansas: stream fish assemblage patterns and associated environmental correlates

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Principal components analysis was performed on fish presence/absence data for 39 common fish species from 410 stream sites in Kansas. The analysis confirmed ten ecologically meaningful fish assemblages, based on species associations. Factor scores based on these assemblages were then clustered into six geographic areas or fish ecoregions. Canonical discriminant analysis identified environmental variables that distinguished the derived fish ecoregions. Mean annual runoff, mean annual growing season, and discharge appear most important. Mean width, mean depth, chloride concentration, water temperature, substrate type, gradient, and percent of pool habitat were less important. Correspondence exists between these fish ecoregions and the patterns of physiographic regions, river basins, geology, soil, and potential natural vegetation in Kansas. The multivariate statistical approach used to classify fish ecoregions should have considerable potential value for fish assessment and management purposes in areas other than the state of Kansas.

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  1. David L. Miller

    Present address: Northrop Services, Inc., 200 S. W. 35th, Corvallis, OR, 97333, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 240 West Prospect, Fort Collins, CO, 80526, USA

    Clifford L. Hawkes & David L. Miller

  2. Kansas Fish and Game, Box 54A, Rural Route 2, Pratt, KS, 67124, USA

    William G. Layher

Authors
  1. Clifford L. Hawkes
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  2. David L. Miller
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  3. William G. Layher
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Hawkes, C.L., Miller, D.L. & Layher, W.G. Fish ecoregions of Kansas: stream fish assemblage patterns and associated environmental correlates. Environ Biol Fish 17, 267–279 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001493

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001493

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