Part II: Scoring Criteria for the Index of Biotic Integrity and the Index of Well-Being to Monitor Fish Communities in Wadeable Streams in the Piedmont Ecoregion of Georgia Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division Fisheries Management Section June 1, 2005 Table of Contents Introduction........................................................................... Map of Piedmont Ecoregion........................................................ Table 1. State Listed Fish in the Piedmont Ecoregion........................... Table 2. IBI Metrics and Scoring Criteria....................................... Table 3. Iwb Scoring Criteria and Integrity Classes........................... References........................................................... .................. Appendix 1.......................................................... .................. Pg. 1 Pg. 4 Pg. 5 Pg. 6 Pg. 8 Pg. 9 Pg. 10 i Introduction The Piedmont ecoregion is one of six Level III ecoregions found in Georgia (Part 1, Figure 1). The Piedmont ecoregion covers most of the north central portion of Georgia, between the Southeastern Plains ecoregion to the south and the Ridge and Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains ecoregions to the north. It is the second largest ecoregion in Georgia, covering over 17,000 square miles (United States Census Bureau 2000) and including all or portions of 65 counties (Fig. 1). The biotic indices developed by the GAWRD are based on the Level III ecoregion delineations (Griffith et al 2001). The metrics and scoring criteria adapted to the Piedmont ecoregion were developed from biomonitoring samples collected in the eight major drainage basins located in the Piedmont ecoregion. These major drainage basins include the Chattahoochee, Coosa, Flint, Ocmulgee, Oconee, Ogeechee, Savannah, and Tallapoosa. Based on similarities in species richness and composition, the eight major drainage basins were aligned into three basin groups. The Alabama Drainage Basin (ACT) includes the Coosa and Tallapoosa drainage basins; the Apalachicola Drainage Basin (ACF) includes the Chattahoochee and Flint drainage basins; and the Atlantic Slope Drainage Basins (AS) include the Ocmulgee, Oconee, Ogeechee, and Savannah drainage basins. A total of 378 biomonitoring samples have been collected by the GAWRD in the Piedmont ecoregion since 1998. The Alabama drainage basin was the most species rich in the Piedmont ecoregion, with a total of 64 native species collected. Fifty-seven native species were collected in the Atlantic Slope drainage basins and 55 native species were collected in the Apalachicola drainage basin. A total of 14 state listed species were collected in the Piedmont ecoregion. The state listed fish collected in the Piedmont ecoregion were ranked as endangered (E), threatened (T), or rare (R) based on the Endangered Wildlife Act of 1973 (Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Nongame Endangered Wildlife Program, 1999). Endangered species collected in the Piedmont ecoregion include the Altamaha shiner (Cyprinella xaenurus), collected in the Ocmulgee and Oconee drainage basins, and the lipstick darter (Etheostoma chuckwachatte), found in the Tallapoosa drainage basin. Threaten species included the bluestripe shiner (Cyprinella callitaenia) collected in the Flint drainage basin, the pretty shiner (Lythrurus bellus), collected in the Tallapoosa drainage basin, the highscale shiner (Notropis hypsilepis), collected in the 1 Chattahoochee and Flint drainage basins, and the holiday darter (Etheostoma brevirostrum), Etowah darter (Etheostoma etowahae), and Cherokee darter (Etheostoma scotti), all collected in the Coosa drainage basin. Species ranked as rare included the Tallapoosa shiner (Cyprinella gibbsi), found in the Tallapoosa drainage basin, the sandbar shiner (Notropis scepticus), found in the Savannah drainage basin, the black madtom (Noturus funebris), found in the Chattahoochee and Tallapoosa drainage basins, the goldstripe darter (Etheostoma parvipinne), collected in the Ocmulgee drainage basin, and the Tallapoosa darter (Etheostomna tallapoosae) and the muscadine bridled darter (Percina sp.), found in the Tallapoosa drainage basin. The Etowah darter (endange red) and the Cherokee darter (threatened) are both federally listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Table 1 shows a complete list of state listed fish found in the Piedmont ecoregion of Georgia. Based on the IBI integrity classes (Part I, Table 2), 25 sites scored in the excellent class, 54 scored in the good class, 108 scored in the fair class, 87 scored in the poor class, and 104 scored in the very poor class. IBI scores in the Piedmont ecoregion ranged from a maximum of 58 to a minimum of 10. Based on the IBI scoring criteria, over 50% of the streams sampled in the Piedmont ecoregion scored in the poor and very poor integrity class ([191/378] * 100 = 50.5). Major impacts to streams in the Piedmont ecoregion include the effects of erosion and sedimentation, impoundments, point source pollution, and urban / suburban development. The Piedmont ecoregion is the most densely populated area in Georgia, averaging nearly 316 individuals per square mile (United States Census Bureau 2000). Approximately 63% of the total population of Georgia lives in the Piedmont ecoregion, an area covering only 29.5% of the entire state. Most of the major metropolitan areas in Georgia are located in the Piedmont ecoregion, including Atlanta, Gainesville, Athens, and portions of Columbus, Macon, and Augusta. Table 2 shows the scoring criteria for the IBI metrics in the Piedmont ecoregion. The Maximum Species Richness (MSR) graphs for each basin group within the Piedmont ecoregion are included in Appendix 1. Figures ACF1 PDT through ACF6b - PDT depict the MSR graphs used to score the species richness metrics (metrics 1- 6b) in the Apalachicola drainage basin. Figures ACT1 - PDT through ACT6b - PDT depict the MSR graphs used to score the species richness metrics in the Alabama drainage basin. Figures AS1 - PDT through AS6b - PDT depict the MSR graphs used to score the species richness metrics in the Atlantic Slope drainage basins. 2 The fish list for the Piedmont ecoregion showing the water quality tolerance rankings, feeding guilds, and species categories used in calculating the IBI score is also included in Appendix 1. Based on the modified Index of Well-Being integrity classes for the Piedmont ecoregion (Table 3), 35 sites scored in the excellent class, 65 scored in the good class, 153 scored in the fair class, 40 scored in the poor class, and 62 scored in the very poor class. Modified Iwb scores in headwater streams ranged from a maximum score of 9.98 to a minimum of 0.21. At larger wadeable streams modified Iwb scores ranged from a maximum of 10.58 to a minimum of 3.83. There was a significant relationship between the indices across the Piedmont ecoregion (r = 0.8051, p = 0.0000, N = 355), although the relationship was stronger in the larger wadeable streams (r = 0.8701, p = 0.0000, N = 95) compared to the headwater streams (r = 0.7797, p = 0.0000, N = 260). 3 Wh ite Barto w DawsLonumpkin Hall Cherokee Forsyth Ste phe ns Fr an kl in Banks Hart Jackson Madiso n Elb ert Polk Pau ldi ng Haralson Cobb Douglas Fulton Bar row Gwin nett DeKalb W alton Oconee Clarke O glethorpe Wil kes Linco ln Roc kdale Clayton Faye tte Carr oll Hear d Tr oup Coweta M eri weth e r Newton Henr y Morgan Greene Taliaferro Warren Ja spe r Putn am Spa ldi ng Butts Hanco ck Lamar Pike Monroe Jones Bal dwin G l asc oc k Upson McDuffie Columbia Richmond Harr is Talbot Bibb Crawfor d Mus cogee Taylor Habersham Al tam ah a Chattah oo ch ee Coosa Flint Oc hlo ckonee Ocmulgee Oconee Og ee ch ee Saint Marys Sa til l a Sa va nn ah Su wann ee Tall ap oo sa Tenn es s ee Figure 1. Level III Piedmont ecoregion (outlined in bold red) in Georgia. Major drainage basins include the Coosa, Tallapoosa, Chattahoochee, Flint, Ocmulgee, Oconee, Ogeechee, and Savannah. 4 Table 1. State listed fish found in the Piedmont ecoregion of Georgia (Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Nongame Endangered Wildlife Program, 1999). State Federal Species Status Status Basin Bluestripe Shiner (Cyprinella callitaenia) T None CHA, FLI Tallapoosa Shiner (Cyprinella gibbsi) Altamaha Shiner (Cyprinella xaenura) R None TAL E None OCM, OCO Holiday Darter (Etheostoma brevirostrum) T None COO Lipstick Darter (Etheostoma chuckwachatte) E Etowah Darter (Etheostoma etowahae) T None E TAL COO Goldstripe Darter (Etheostoma parvipinne) R None CHA, FLI, OCM Cherokee Darter (Etheostoma scotti) Tallapoosa Darter (Etheostoma tallaposae) T T COO R None TAL Stippled Studfish (Fundulus bifax) E None TAL Pretty Shiner (Lythrurus bellus) Robust Redhorse (Moxostoma robustum) T None TAL E None OCO, SAV Highscale Shiner (Notropis hypsilepis) Sandbar Shiner (Notropis scepticus) T None CHA, FLI R None SAV Black Madtom (Noturus funebris) R None CHA, TAL Frecklebelly Madtom (Noturus munitus) Amber Darter (Percina antesella) E None COO E E COO Freckled Darter (Percina lenticula) Muscadine Bridled Darter (Percina sp.) E None COO R None TAL Upland Bridled Darter (Percina sp.) R None COO Status: E = endangered; R = rare; T = threatened Basin: CHA = Chattahoochee; COO = Coosa; OCM = Ocmulgee; OCO = Oconee; SAV = Savannah; TAL = Tallapoosa 5 Table 2. Index of Biotic Integrity metrics for wadeable streams in the Piedmont ecoregion of Georgia. ACF includes the Chattahoochee and Flint drainage basins, ACT includes the Coosa and Tallapoosa drainage basins, and AS includes the Ocumulgee, Oconee, Ogeechee, and Savannah drainage basins. Metric Basin Group Scoring Criteria 6 1. Number of native species 2. Number of benthic invertivore species 3a. Number of native sunfish speciesa 3b. Number of native centrarchid speciesb 4. Number of native insectivorous cyprinid species 5. Number of native round-bodied sucker species 6a. Number of sensitive speciesa 6b. Number of intolerant speciesb ACF/ACT/AS ACF/ACT/AS ACF/ACT/AS ACF/ACT/AS ACF/ACT/AS ACF/ACT/AS ACF/ACT/AS ACF/ACT/AS MSR Graphs MSR Graphs MSR Graphs MSR Graphs MSR Graphs MSR Graphs MSR Graphs MSR Graphs 5 3 1 7. Evenness ACF > 72 72 - > 62 < 62 ACT > 79 79 - > 69 < 69 AS > 68 68 - > 57 < 57 8. % of individuals as Lepomis species ACF < 27 27 - < 53 > 53 ACT < 23 23 - < 46 > 46 AS < 23 23 - < 45 > 45 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5 3 1 9. % of individuals as insectivorous cyprinids ACF > 42 42 - > 21 < 21 ACT > 32 32 - > 16 < 16 AS > 50 50 - > 27 < 27 10a. % of individuals as generalist feeders and herbivoresa 10b. % of individuals as top carnivoresb 11. % of individuals as benthic fluvial specialist ACF < 22 ACT < 15 AS < 20 ACF/ACT/AS > 3.8 - < 9.5 ACF > 38 ACT > 36 AS > 28 22 - < 40 15 - > 28 20 - < 36 > 1.9 < 3.8 or > 9.5 - < 11.4 38 - > 19 36 - > 21 28 - > 14 > 40 > 28 > 36 < 1.9 or > 11.4 < 19 < 21 < 14 7 12. Number of individuals per 200 meters ACF ACT AS > 670 > 450 > 640 670 - > 335 450 - > 225 640 - > 320 < 335 < 225 < 320 13. % of individuals with external anomalies ACF/ACT/AS > 1.2 subtract 4 points from total score __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ a used at sites with an upstream drainage basin area < 15 square miles b used at sites with an upstream drainage basin area > 15 square miles Table 3. Index of well-being scoring criteria and integrity classes for wadeable streams in the Piedmont ecoregion of Georgia. Iwb DBA Integrity Score (Sq. miles) Class Attributes > 8.1 < 15 Excellent Comparable to the best regional reference conditions; all regionally expected > 9.6 > 15 species for the habitat and stream size, including the most intolerant species, are present with a full array of size classes; healthy species diversity within the fish community, indicated by elevated evenness scores; number of individuals abundant; total biomass is high, with each level of the food web represented, indicating a balanced trophic structure. 8.1 - > 7.3 < 15 9.6 - > 8.6 > 15 Good Species richness somewhat below expectation; evenness scores decrease as species diversity falls, especially due to the loss of the most intolerant forms; good number of individuals in the sample, with several species of benthic fluvial specialists and insectivorous cyprinids present; some decreases in total biomass as trophic structure shows some signs of stress. 8 7.3 - > 5.7 < 15 8.6 - > 6.6 > 15 Fair Species richness and diversity decline as some expected species are absent; abundance of individuals declines; total biomass continues to decline as some levels of the food web in low abundance or missing; trophic structure skewed toward generalist feeders and/or Lepomis species as the abundance of insectivorous cyprinid and benthic fluvial specialist species decreases. 5.7 - > 4.9 < 15 6.6 - > 5.6 > 15 Poor Number of individuals is low; species richness and diversity are very low, with benthic fluvial specialist and insectivorous cyprinid species in low abundance or absent; sample dominated by generalist feeders, herbivores, and Lepomis species; increase in the proportions of non-native species and hybrids; growth rates depressed as sample is heavily skewed to the smaller size classes; total biomass low. < 4.9 < 15 Very Poor Sample represented by few individuals, mainly generalist feeders and Lepomis species; some sites dominated by non-native species; total biomass very low. < 5.6 > 15 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ References Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division. 1999. Protected Animals of Georgia. Nongame Wildlife Natural Heritage Section, Forsyth, Georgia. Griffith, G.E., J.M. Omernik, J.A. Comstock, S. Lawrence, and T. Foster. 2001. Level III and IV Ecoregions of Georgia, (color poster with map, descriptive text, summary tables, and photographs). Reston, Virginia, U.S. Geological Survey. United States Census Bureau. 2000. 2000 Census of Population and Housing. United States Census Bureau, Washington, D.C. 9 Appendix 1 Apalachicola Basin Group (ACF) MSR Graphs.................................... Alabama Basin Group (ACT) MSR Graphs......................................... Atlantic Slope Basins Group (AS) MSR Graphs................................... Piedmont Ecoregion Fish List......................................................... Pg. 11 Pg. 19 Pg. 27 Pg. 35 10 40 35 30 5 25 11 20 3 15 10 1 5 0 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 ACF 1 PDT. Total number of native species in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Apalachicola drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 141. 4 5 3 3 2 12 1 1 0 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 ACF2 PDT. Number of benthic invertivore species in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Apalachicola drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Flatlines at 30 square miles. Total samples equal 141. 5 5 4 13 3 3 2 1 1 0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 ACF3a PDT. Number of native sunfish species in headwater streams (<15 square miles drainage basin area) in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Apalachicola drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 96. 10 9 5 8 7 3 6 14 5 1 4 3 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 ACF3b PDT. Number of native centrarchid species in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Apalachicola drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Flatlines at 50 square miles. Total samples equal 45. 10 9 8 5 7 6 5 3 4 15 3 2 1 1 0 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 ACF4 PDT. Number of native insectivorous cyprinid species in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Apalachicola drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 141. 5 4 5 3 3 2 16 1 1 0 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 ACF5 PDT. Number of native round-bodied sucker species in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Apalachicola drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 141. 6 5 4 5 3 3 2 17 1 1 0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 ACF6a PDT. Total number of species ranked as sensitive at headwater sites (<15 square miles drainage basin area) in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Apalachicola drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 96. 7 6 5 5 4 3 3 18 2 1 1 0 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 ACF6b PDT. Number of species ranked as intolerant in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Apalachicola drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Flatlines at 100 square miles. Total samples equal 45. 35 30 5 25 20 3 15 10 1 5 19 0 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 ACT1 PDT. Total number of native species in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Alabama drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 55. 9 8 7 5 6 5 4 3 20 3 2 1 1 0 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 ACT2 PDT. Number of benthic invertivore species in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Alabama drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Flatlines at 100 square miles. Total samples equal 55. 4 2211 3 5 2 3 1 1 0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 ACT3a PDT. Number of native sunfish species in headwater streams (<15 square miles drainage basin area) in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Alabama drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 34. 9 8 5 7 6 3 5 22 4 3 1 2 1 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 ACT3b PDT. Number of native centrarchid species in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Alabama drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Flatlines at 100 square miles. Total sites equal 21. 7 6 5 5 4 3 3 23 2 1 1 0 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 ACT4 PDT. Number of native insectivorous cyprinid species in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Alabama drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Flatlines at 50 square miles. Total samples equal 55. 4 5 3 3 2 1 1 24 0 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 ACT5 PDT. Number of native round-bodied sucker species in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Alabama drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Flatlines at 50 square miles. Total samples equal 55. 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 5 25 4 3 3 2 1 1 0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 ACT6a PDT. Total number of species ranked as sensitive at headwater sites (<15 square miles drainage basin area) in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Alabama drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 34. 7 6 5 5 4 3 3 26 2 1 1 0 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 ACT6b PDT. Number of species ranked as intolerant in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Alabama drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 21. 35 30 25 5 20 3 15 27 10 1 5 0 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 AS1 PDT. Total number of native species in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Atlantic Slope drainage basins plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 233. 6 5 5 4 28 3 3 2 1 1 0 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 AS2 PDT. Number of benthic invertivore species in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Atlantic Slope drainage basins plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 233. 4 5 3 3 2 29 1 1 0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 AS3a PDT. Number of native sunfish species in headwater streams (<15 square miles drainage basin area) in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Atlantic Slope drainage basins plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 167. 9 8 5 7 6 3 5 30 4 1 3 2 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 AS3b PDT. Number of native centrarchid species in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Atlantic Slope drainage basins plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 66. 7 6 5 5 31 4 3 3 2 1 1 0 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 AS4 PDT. Number of native insectivorous cyprinid species in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Atlantic Slope drainage basins plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin (square miles). Total samples equal 233. 5 4 5 3 3 2 32 1 1 0 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 AS5 PDT. Total number of native round-bodied sucker species in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Atlantic Slope drainage basins plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 233. 4 5 3 33 2 3 1 1 0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 AS6a PDT. Total number of species ranked as sensitive in headwater streams (< 15 square miles drainage basin area) in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Atlantic Slope drainage basins plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 167. 7 6 5 5 4 3 3 2 1 1 34 0 0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 AS6b - PDT. Number of species ranked as intolerant in the Piedmont ecoregion of the Atlantic Slope drainage basins plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 66. Fish List for the Piedmont Ecoregion of Georgia. (Updated May 11, 2005) 35 Species Petromyzontidae Chestnut Lamprey Ichthyomyzon castaneus Southern Brook Lamprey Ichthyomyzon gagei Least Brook Lamprey Lampetra aepyptera Lepisosteidae Longnose Gar Lepisosteus osseus Amiidae Bowfin Amia calva Anguillidae American Eel Anguilla rostrata Clupeidae Blueback Herring Alosa aestivalis American shad Alosa sapidissima Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum Threadfin Shad Dorosoma petenense Tolerance Ranking Feeding Guild PR HB HB CR CR CR IN IN GE HB Species Category Drainage Basin COO CHA, COO, FLI, TAL COO CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV, TAL OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA**, OCM, OCO OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV, TAL CHA, COO, FLI, OCM**, OCO**, SAV** 36 Fish List for the Piedmont Ecoregion of Georgia. Species Cyprinidae Largescale Stoneroller Campostoma oligolepis Bluefin Stoneroller Campostoma pauciradii Goldfish Carassius auratus Rosyside Dace Clinostomus funduloides Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella Ocmulgee Shiner Cyprinella callisema Alabama Shiner Cyprinella callistia Bluestripe Shiner Cyprinella callitaenia Tallapoosa Shiner Cyprinella gibbsi Red Shiner Cyprinella lutrensis Whitefin Shiner Cyprinella nivea Tolerance Ranking INT INT INT Feeding Guild HB HB GE IC HB IC IC IC IC GE IC Species Category SMM SMM SMM SMM Drainage Basin COO, TAL CHA, FLI, OCM, OCO, TAL EXOTIC SAV EXOTIC OCM, OCO, OGE COO, TAL CHA, FLI TAL EXOTIC SAV 37 Fish List for the Piedmont Ecoregion of Georgia. Species Tricolor Shiner Cyprinella trichroistia Blacktail shiner Cyprinella venusta Altamaha Shiner Cyprinella xaenura Common Carp Cyprinus carpio Silverjaw Minnow Ericymba buccata Eastern Silvery Minnow Hybognathus regius Lined Chub Hybopsis lineapunctata Rosyface Chub Hybopsis rubrifrons Coastal Chub Hybopsis sp. Striped Shiner Luxilus chrysocephalus Bandfin Shiner Luxilus zonistius Blacktip Shiner Lythrurus atrapiculus Tolerance Ranking INT INT INT INT INT Feeding Guild IC IC IC GE IN HB IC IC IC IC IC IC Species Category IC SMM SMM SMM Drainage Basin COO, TAL CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, TAL OCM, OCO EXOTIC CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV COO, TAL OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA, COO, FLI COO, TAL CHA, COO**, FLI, OCO, TAL** CHA, FLI 38 Fish List for the Piedmont Ecoregion of Georgia. Species Tolerance Ranking Feeding Guild Pretty Shiner Lythrurus bellus INT IC Speckled Chub IC Macrhybopsis aestivalis Bluehead Chub GE Nocomis leptocephalus River Chub IC Nocomis micropogon Golden Shiner GE Notemigonus crysoleucas Rough Shiner IC Notropis baileyi Rainbow Shiner Notropis chrosomus HWI IC Dusky Shiner IC Notropis cummingsae Spottail Shiner IC Notropis hudsonius Highscale Shiner IC Notropis hypsilepis Longnose Shiner IC Notropis longirostris Yellowfin Shiner IC Notropis lutipinnis Species Category SMM SMM SMM SMM SMM Drainage Basin TAL COO, TAL CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV, TAL COO**, SAV** CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV, TAL CHA** COO FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA, FLI CHA, COO, FLI, OCM CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV 39 Fish List for the Piedmont Ecoregion of Georgia. Species Coastal Shiner Notropis petersoni Tolerance Ranking Feeding Guild IC Sandbar Shiner Notropis scepticus INT IC Silverstripe Shiner Notropis stilbius INT IC Weed shiner IC Notropis texanus Coosa Shiner IC Notropis xaenocephalus Pugnose Minnow Opsopoeodus emiliae INT IC Riffle Minnow IC Phenacobius catostomus Fathead Minnow GE Pimephales promelas Bullhead Minnow GE Pimephales vigilax Sailfin Shiner IC Pteronotropis hypselopterus Creek Chub GE Semotilus atromaculatus Species Category SMM Drainage Basin OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV SAV COO, TAL CHA, FLI, OCM, TAL COO FLI COO, TAL EXOTIC COO, TAL OCO CHA, COO, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV, TAL 40 Fish List for the Piedmont Ecoregion of Georgia. Species Dixie Chub Semotilus thoreauianus Catostomidae White Sucker Catostomus commersoni Creek Chubsucker Erimyzon oblongus Alabama Hogsucker Hypentelium etowanum Northern Hogsucker Hypentelium nigricans Spotted Sucker Minytrema melanops V-lip Redhorse Moxostoma collapsum Black Redhorse Moxostoma duquesnei Golden Redhorse Moxostoma erythrurum Blacktail Redhorse Moxostoma poecilurum Robust Redhorse Moxostoma robustum Tolerance Ranking Feeding Guild GE IN IN IN IN IN INT IN IN IN IN IN Species Category Drainage Basin CHA, FLI, TAL RBS CHA** RBS CHA, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV RBS CHA, COO, TAL RBS OCO, SAV RBS CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV RBS OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV RBS COO, TAL RBS COO, TAL RBS COO, TAL RBS OCO, OGE, SAV 41 Fish List for the Piedmont Ecoregion of Georgia. Species Apalachicola Redhorse Moxostoma sp. Greater Jumprock Scartomyzon lachneri Striped Jumprock Scartomyzon rupiscartes Brassy Jumprock Scartomyzon sp. Ictaluridae Snail Bullhhead Ameiurus brunneus White Catfish Ameiurus catus Black Bullhead Ameiurus melas Yellow Bullhead Ameiurus natalis Brown Bullhead Ameiurus nebulosus Flat Bullhead Ameiurus platycephalus Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus Tolerance Ranking INT Feeding Guild IN INT IN IN INT IN GE GE GE GE GE GE CR Species Category RBS RBS RBS RBS Drainage Basin CHA, FLI CHA, FLI CHA, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA**, COO, TAL CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV, TAL CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV, TAL OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV, TAL** OCO**, SAV** 42 Fish List for the Piedmont Ecoregion of Georgia. Species Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus Black Madtom Noturus funebris Tadpole Madtom Noturus gyrinus Margined Madtom Noturus insignis Speckled Madtom Noturus leptacanthus Frecklebelly Madton Noturus munitus Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris Esocidae Redfin Pickerel Esox americanus Chain Pickerel Esox niger Salmonidae Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss Brown Trout Salmo trutta Tolerance Ranking INT HWI INT HWI Feeding Guild GE IN IN IN IN IN CR CR CR CR CR Species Category BI BI BI BI BI Drainage Basin CHA, COO, FLI, OCM**, OCO**, OGE**, SAV**, TAL CHA, TAL OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV, TAL COO COO, FLI**, OCM**, OCM**, OGE**, SAV** CHA, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV, TAL CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV EXOTIC EXOTIC 43 Fish List for the Piedmont Ecoregion of Georgia. Species Aphredoderidae Pirate Perch Aphredoderus sayanus Fundulidae Stippled Studfish Fundulus bifax Blackspotted Topminnow Fundulus olivaceus Southern Studfish Fundulus stellifer Poeciliidae Mosquitofish Gambusia sp. Atherinidae Brook Silversides Labidesthes sicculus Cottidae Mottled Sculpin Cottus bairdi Banded Sculpin Cottus carolinae Percichthyidae White Bass Morone chrysops Striped Bass Morone saxatalis Tolerance Ranking Feeding Guild IN IN IN HWI IN GE IN IN IN CR CR Species Category Drainage Basin FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV TAL CHA, COO, TAL CHA, COO CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV, TAL CHA, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV BI COO BI CHA, COO, TAL CHA**, COO**, FLI**, OCM**, OCO**, SAV** CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV 44 Fish List for the Piedmont Ecoregion of Georgia. Species Tolerance Ranking Feeding Guild Centrarchidae Shadow Bass Ambloplites ariommus INT CR Flier IN Centrarchus macropterus Redbreast Sunfish IN Lepomis auritus Green Sunfish IN Lepomis cyanellus Pumpkinseed IN Lepomis gibbosus Warmouth CR Lepomis gulosus Bluegill IN Lepomis macrochirus Dollar Sunfish IN Lepomis marginatus Longear Sunfish IN Lepomis megalotis Redear Sunfish IN Lepomis microlophus Spotted Sunfish IN Lepomis punctatus Shoal Bass Micropterus cataractae INT CR Species Category SF SF SF SF SF SF SF SF SF SF SF CENT Drainage Basin CHA, COO, FLI, TAL CHA, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA, COO**, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV, TAL** CHA**, COO, FLI**, OCM**, OCO**, OGE**, SAV**, TAL SAV CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV, TAL CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV, TAL CHA, OGE, SAV CHA**, COO, OCM**, OCO**, SAV**, TAL CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV, TAL CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV, TAL CHA, FLI, OCM** 45 Fish List for the Piedmont Ecoregion of Georgia. Species Redeye Bass Micropterus coosae Spotted Bass Micropterus punctulatus Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides White Crappie Pomoxis annularis Black Crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus Percidae Holiday Darter Etheostoma brevirostrum Lipstick Darter Etheostoma chuckwachatte Coosa Darter Etheostoma coosae Etowah Darter Etheostoma etowahae Swamp Darter Etheostoma fusiforme Christmas Darter Etheostoma hopkinsi Tolerance Ranking HWI Feeding Guild CR CR CR CR CR IN INT IN IN INT IN IN HWI IN Species Category CENT CENT CENT CENT Drainage Basin CHA, COO, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV, TAL CHA**, COO, FLI**, OCO**, OCM**, TAL CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV, TAL CHA**, COO, FLI**, OCM**, OCO**, OGE**, SAV** CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV, TAL BI COO BI TAL BI COO BI COO BI FLI, OCM, OCO, SAV BI OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV 46 Fish List for the Piedmont Ecoregion of Georgia. Species Turquoise Darter Etheostoma inscriptum Greenbreast Darter Etheostoma jordani Tessellated Darter Etheostoma olmstedi Goldstripe Darter Etheostoma parvipinne Rock Darter Etheostoma rupestre Cherokee Darter Etheostoma scotti Speckled Darter Etheostoma stigmaeum Gulf Darter Etheostoma swaini Tallapoosa Darter Etheostoma tallapoosae Trispot Darter Etheostoma trisella Amber Darter Percina antesella Mobile Logperch Percina kathae Tolerance Ranking HWI INT INT HWI INT INT INT Feeding Guild IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IN Species Category BI BI BI BI BI BI BI BI BI BI BI BI Drainage Basin OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV COO OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV CHA, FLI, OCM COO COO COO, TAL CHA, FLI TAL COO COO COO, TAL Fish List for the Piedmont Ecoregion of Georgia. 47 Species Tolerance Ranking Feeding Guild Species Category Drainage Basin Freckled Darter Percina lenticula IN BI COO Blackbanded Darter Percina nigrofasciata IN BI CHA, COO, FLI, OCM, OCO, OGE, SAV, TAL Bronze Darter Percina palmaris HWI IN BI COO, TAL Upland Bridled Darter Percina sp. IN BI COO Muscadine Bridled Darter Percina sp. IN BI TAL Yellow perch Perca flavescens CR EXOTIC Sauger Stizostedion canadense CR CHA**, SAV** Walleye Stizostedion vitreum CR CHA**, COO, OCO**, SAV** Sciaenidae Freshwater Drum Aplodinotus grunniens CR COO Water Quality Tolerance: HWI = headwater intolerant; INT = intolerant Feeding Guild: CR = top carnivore; GE = generalist; HB = herbivore; IC = insectivorous cyprinid; IN = insectivore/invertivore; PR = parasitic Species Category: BI = benthic insectivore species; CENT = centrarchid species; RBS = round-bodied sucker species; SF = sunfish species; SMM = subterminal mouth minnow species; Drainage Basin: CHA = Chattahoochee; COO = Coosa; FLI = Flint; OCM = Ocmulgee; OCO = Oconee; OGE = Ogeechee; SAV = Savannah; TAL = Tallapoosa EXOTIC = introduced to Georgia; ** = species introduced to that drainage basin