Project T-83-R1

Project Title: Assessing Vulnerability of Coolwater Habitats in Illinois Wadeable Streams

Community and/or Species Focus:

1. Identify coolwater habitats and associated fish species in Illinois streams
2. Characterize thermal and flow regimes under current conditions and scenarios
3. Assess vulnerability of thermal and flow regimes to landcover and climate changes
4. Examine potential changes in fish species distributions and connectivity of habitat

1. ​Stream reaches with known locations of four fish species and coolwater temperatures (< 22 degrees Celsius) were selected
2. Reaches were characterized using previous models and field surveys, but more work needs to be completed in order to fully characterize the streams
3. Preliminary analysis showed that stream reaches with mean temperatures within the transition boundary between classes may be particularly vulnerable to climate change
4. Species Distribution Models for 97 fish species were developed for Illinois wadeable streams

Post-Project Survey (if applicable): n/a

Project Period: Ended on 8/25/17

Principle Investigator(s):