Part IV: Scoring Criteria for the Index of Biotic Integrity and the Index of Well-Being to Monitor Fish Communities in Wadeable Streams in the Coosa and Tennessee Drainage Basins of the Ridge and Valley Ecoregion of Georgia Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division Fisheries Management Section June 1, 2005 Table of Contents Introduction........................................................................... Map of Ridge and Valley Ecoregion............................................... Table 1. State Listed Fish in the Ridge and Valley Ecoregion................ Table 2. IBI Metrics and Scoring Criteria....................................... Table 3. Iwb Scoring Criteria and Integrity Classes.......... .................. References........................................................... .................. Appendix 1............................................................................ Pg. 1 Pg. 3 Pg. 4 Pg. 5 Pg. 7 Pg. 8 Pg. 9 i Introduction The Ridge and Valley ecoregion is one of the six Level III ecoregions found in Georgia (Part 1, Figure 1). It is contained within two major drainage basins, the Coosa and the Tennessee, in the northwestern corner of Georgia. The Ridge and Valley ecoregion covers nearly 3,000 square miles (United States Census Bureau 2000) and includes all or portions of 10 counties (Fig. 1), bordering the Piedmont ecoregion to the south and the Blue Ridge ecoregion to the east. A small portion of the Southwestern Appalachians ecoregion is located in the upper northwestern corner of the Ridge and Valley ecoregion. 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 Ridge and Valley ecoregion were developed from biomonitoring samples collected in the two major river basins that drain the Ridge and Valley ecoregion, the Coosa (ACT) and the Tennessee (TEN). A total of 169 biomonitoring samples have been collected by the GAWRD in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion since 2001. A total of 57 native species were collected from samples in the Coosa drainage basin, while 52 native species were collected from samples in the Tennessee drainage basin. Six species on Georgia's list of protected animals of Georgia list were collected in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion. The state listed fish were ranked as endangered, threatened, or rare based on the Endangered Wildlife Act of 1973 (Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Nongame Endangered Wildlife Program, 1999). The flame chub (Hemitremia flammea), ranked as endangered, was collected in the Tennessee drainage basin. Three species were ranked as threatened: the stargazing minnow (Phenacobius uranops) and the northern studfish (Fundulus catenatus), which were collected in the Tennessee drainage basin, and the trispot darter (Etheostoma trisella), which was found in the upper Coosa drainage basin. Three species ranked as rare were collected from the Tennessee drainage basin: the bigeye chub (Hybopsis amblops), the black darter (Etheostoma duryi), and the dusky darter (Percina sciera). Table 1 shows a complete list of state listed fish found in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of Georgia. IBI scores were gene rally higher in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion than in the Piedmont and Southeastern Plains ecoregions. Based on the IBI integrity classes (Part I, Table 2), 22 sites scored in the excellent class, 47 scored in the good class, 41 scored in the fair class, 29 scored in 1 the poor class, and 30 scored in the very poor class. IBI scores in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion ranged from a maximum of 58 to a minimum of 12. Unlike the Piedmont ecoregion, more sites scored in the excellent and good integrity classes ([69/169] * 100 = 40.8) than in the poor and very poor integrity classes ([59/169] * 100 = 34.9). Major impacts in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion include the effects of animal agriculture production and urban / suburban development. Table 2 shows the scoring criteria for the IBI metrics in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion. The Maximum Species Richness (MSR) graphs for each basin group within the Ridge and Valley ecoregion are included in Appendix 1. Figures ACT1 - RGV through ACT6b - RGV depict the MSR graphs used to score the species richness metrics (metrics 1 6b) in the Coosa drainage basin. Figures TEN1 - RGV through TEN6b - RGV depict the MSR graphs used to score the species richness metrics in the Tennessee drainage basin. The fish list for the Ridge and Valley ecoregion showing the water quality tolerance rankings, feeding guilds, and species categories used in calculating the IBI is also included in Appendix 1. Based on the modified Iwb integrity classes for the Ridge and Valley ecoregion (Table 3), 16 sites scored in the excellent class, 49 scored in the good class, 68 scored in the fair class, 14 scored in the poor class, and 22 scored in the very poor class. Modified Iwb scores in headwater streams ranged from a maximum score of 10.04 to a minimum of 0.89. At larger wadeable streams, modified Iwb scores ranged from a maximum of 10.24 to a minimum of 5.86. There was a significant relationship between the indices across the Ridge and Valley ecoregion (r = 0.8379, p = 0.0000, N = 169), although the relationship was stronger in larger wadeable streams (r = 0.8838, p = 0.0000, N = 44) than in headwater streams (r = 0.8322, p = 0.0000, N = 169). 2 Dade Wa lker W Catoosa hi tfield Murray Chattoo ga Gordon Fl oyd Barto w Pol k Pauldi ng Altam aha Chattah oo chee Coosa Flint Ochlockonee Ocmulgee Oconee Og ee ch ee Sa int Marys Sa tilla Sa va nn ah Su wann ee Tallapoosa Tenn essee Figure 1. Level III Ridge and Valley ecoregion (outlined in bold red) in Georgia. Major drainage basins include the Coosa and the Tennessee. 3 Table 1. State listed fish found in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of Georgia (Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Nongame Endangered Wildlife Program, 1999). State Federal Species Status Status Basin Blue Shiner (Cyprinella caerulea) E T COO Holiday Darter (Etheostoma brevirostrum) Coldwater Darter (Etheostoma ditrema) T None COO T None COO Black Darter (Etheostoma duryi) R None TEN Trispot Darter (Etheostoma trisella) Northern Studfish (Fundulus catenatus) T None COO T None TEN Flame Chub (Hemitremia flammea) Bigeye Chub (Hybopsis amblops) E None TEN R None TEN Ohio Lamprey (Ichthyomyzon bdellium) R None TEN River Redhorse (Moxostoma carinatum) Popeye Shiner (Notropis ariommus) R None COO, TEN T None TEN Mountain Madtom (Noturus eleutherus) Frecklebelly Madtom (Noturus munitus) T None TEN E None COO Amber Darter (Percina antesella) E E COO Goldline Darter (Percina aurolineata) Conasauga Logperch (Percina jenkinsi) T T COO E E COO Freckled Darter (Percina lenticula) Dusky Darter (Percina sciera) E None COO R None TEN River Darter (Percina shumardi) E None COO, TEN Upland Bridled Darter (Percina sp.) Snail Darter (Percina tanasi) R None COO T T TEN Stargazing Minnow (Phenacobius uranops) T None TEN Status: E = endangered; R = rare; T = threatened Basin: COO = Coosa; TEN = Tennessee 4 Table 2. Index of Biotic Integrity metrics for wadeable streams in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of Georgia. Metric Basin Group Scoring Criteria 5 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 COO / TEN COO / TEN COO / TEN COO / TEN COO / TEN COO / TEN COO / TEN COO / TEN MSR Graphs MSR Graphs MSR Graphs MSR Graphs MSR Graphs MSR Graphs MSR Graphs MSR Graphs 5 3 1 7. Evenness COO > 77 77 - > 69 < 69 TEN > 73 73 - > 65 < 65 8. % of individuals as Lepomis species COO < 30 30 - < 54 > 54 TEN < 28 28 - < 53 > 53 9. % of individuals as insectivorous cyprinids COO > 28 28 - > 14 < 14 TEN > 34 34 - > 17 < 17 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5 3 1 10a. % of individuals as generalist feeders and COO < 25 25 - < 44 > 44 herbivores TEN < 21 21 - < 40 > 40 10b. % of individuals as top carnivoresb COO TEN > 3.5 - < 8.75 > 3.8 - < 9.5 > 1.75 3.5 or 8.75 - < 10.5 > 1.9 3.8 or 9.5 - < 11.4 < 1.75 or > 10.5 < 1.9 or > 11.4 6 11. % of individuals as benthic fluvial specialist COO > 27 27 - > 15 < 15 TEN > 26 26 - > 13 < 13 12. Number of individuals per 200 meters COO TEN > 720 > 800 720 - > 360 800 - > 400 < 360 < 400 13. % of individuals with external anomalies COO / TEN > 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 Ridge and Valley ecoregion of Georgia. 7 Iwb Score DBA (Sq. miles) Integrity Class Attributes > 9.5 < 15 > 9.85 > 15 Excellent Comparable to the best regional reference conditions; all regionally expected 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. 9.5 - > 8.6 < 15 9.85 - > 9.25 > 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 specialist and insectivorous cyprinids present; some decreases in total biomass as trophic structure shows some signs of stress. 8.6 - > 6.8 < 15 9.25 - > 8.05 > 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. 6.8 - > 5.9 < 15 8.05 - > 7.45 > 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. < 5.9 < 7.45 < 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. > 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. 8 Appendix 1 Coosa Basin Group (ACT) MSR Graphs.......................................... Tennessee Basin Group (TEN) MSR Graphs..................................... Ridge and Valley Ecoregion Fish List.............................................. Pg. 10 Pg. 18 Pg. 26 9 35 30 5 25 20 3 10 15 1 10 5 0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60 1.80 ACT1 - RGV. Total number of species in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of the Coosa drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 102. 7 6 5 5 4 3 3 11 2 1 1 0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60 1.80 ACT2 - RGV. Number of benthic invertivore species in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of the Coosa drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 102. 7 6 5 5 4 3 12 3 2 1 1 0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 ACT3a - RGV. Number of native sunfish species in headwater streams (<15 square miles drainage basin area) in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of the Coosa drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 75. 10 9 5 8 3 7 13 6 1 5 4 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60 1.80 ACT3b - RGV. Number of native centrarchid species in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of the Coosa 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 27. 9 8 7 5 6 5 3 4 14 3 2 1 1 0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60 1.80 ACT4 - RGV. Number of native insectivorous cyprinid species in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of the Coosa drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 102. 5 5 4 3 3 2 15 1 1 0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60 1.80 ACT5 - RGV. Number of native round-bodied sucker species in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of the Coosa drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 102. 9 8 7 6 5 5 16 4 3 3 2 1 1 0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 ACT6a - RGV. Total number of species ranked as sensitive at headwater sites (<15 square miles drainage basin area) in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of the Coosa drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 75. 9 8 7 5 6 5 3 4 17 3 2 1 1 0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60 1.80 ACT6b - RGV. Number of species ranked as intolerant in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of the Coosaa drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 27. 35 30 5 25 20 3 15 10 1 18 5 0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60 1.80 TEN1 - RGV. Total number of native species in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of the Tennessee drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 67. 9 8 7 6 5 5 4 3 3 19 2 1 1 0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60 1.80 TEN2 - RGV. Number of benthic invertivore species in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of the Tennessee drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 67. 7 6 5 5 4 3 3 20 2 1 1 0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 TEN3a - RGV. Number of native sunfish species in headwater streams (<15 square miles drainage basin area) in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of the Tennessee drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 50. 9 5 8 7 3 21 6 1 5 4 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60 1.80 TEN3b - RGV. Number of native centrarchid species in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of the Tennessee 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 17. 9 8 7 5 6 5 4 3 3 22 2 1 1 0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60 1.80 TEN4 - RGV. Number of native insectivorous cyprinid species in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of the Tennessee drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 67. 5 4 5 3 3 2 23 1 1 0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60 1.80 TEN5 - RGV. Number of native round-bodied sucker species in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of the Tennessee drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 67. 9 8 7 6 5 5 24 4 3 3 2 1 1 0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 TEN6a - RGV. Total number of species ranked as sensitive at headwater sites (<15 square miles drainage basin area) in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of the Tennessee drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed valued of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 50. 6 5 5 4 25 3 3 2 1 1 0 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60 1.80 TEN6b - RGV. Number of species ranked as intolerant in the Ridge and Valley ecoregion of the Tennessee drainage basin plotted against the log (base 10) transformed value of the drainage basin area (square miles). Total samples equal 17. Fish List for the Ridge and Valley Ecoregion of Georgia. (Updated May 11, 2005) Species Tolerance Ranking Feeding Guild Species Category Drainage Basin Petromyzontidae Ohio Lamprey Ichthyomyzon bdellium Chestnut Lamprey Ichthyomyzon castaneus Southern Brook Lamprey Ichthyomyzon gagei Mountain Brook Lamprey Ichthyomyzon greeleyi PR TEN PR COO, TEN HB COO HB TEN Least Brook Lamprey Lampetra aepyptera HB COO American Brook Lamprey HWI HB TEN Lampetra appendix Acipenseridae Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens IN COO Lepisosteidae Spotted Gar Lepisosteus oculatus CR COO, TEN Longnose Gar Lepisosteus osseus CR COO, TEN Hiodontidae Mooneye Hiodon tergisus IN COO Clupeidae Skipjack Herring Alosa chrysochloris CR TEN Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum GE COO, TEN Threadfin Shad Dorosoma petenense HB COO, TEN Cyprinidae Largescale Stoneroller Campostoma oligolepis HB COO, TEN Goldfish Carassius auratus GE EXOTIC 26 Fish List for the Ridge and Valley Ecoregion of Georgia. Species Tolerance Ranking Feeding Guild Grass Carp HB Ctenopharyngodon idella Blue Shiner IC Cyprinella caerulea Alabama Shiner Cyprinella callistia INT IC Whitetail Shiner Cyprinella galactura INT IC Red Shiner GE Cyprinella lutrensis Spotfin Shiner IC Cyprinella spiloptera Tricolor Shiner Cyprinella trichroistia INT IC Blacktail Shiner IC Cyprinella venusta Common Carp GE Cyprinus carpio Flame Chub IC Hemitremia flammea Bigeye Chub IC Hybopsis amblops Lined Chub IC Hybopsis lineapunctata Striped Shiner IC Luxilus chrysocephalus Warpaint Shiner IC Luxilus coccogenis Bandfin Shiner IC Luxilus zonistius Rosefin Shiner Lythrurus fasciolaris HWI IC Mountain Shiner Lythrurus lirus INT IC 27 Species Category SMM SMM SMM SMM SMM Drainage Basin EXOTIC COO COO TEN EXOTIC TEN COO COO EXOTIC TEN TEN COO COO, TEN TEN COO** TEN COO, TEN Fish List for the Ridge and Valley Ecoregion of Georgia. Species Tolerance Ranking Feeding Guild Speckled Chub IC Macrhybopsis aestivalis Silver Chub IC Macrhybopsis storeriana River Chub IC Nocomis micropogon Golden Shiner GE Notemigonus crysoleucas Popeye Shiner IC Notropis ariommus Burrhead Shiner Notropis asperifrons INT IC Emerald Shiner IC Notropis atherinoides Rainbow Shiner Notropis chrosomus HWI IC Tennessee Shiner IC Notropis leuciodus Silver Shiner IC Notropis photogenis Silverstripe Shiner Notropis stilbius INT IC Telescope Shiner Notropis telescopus INT IC Mimic Shiner Notropis volucellus INT IC Coosa Shiner IC Notropis xaenocephalus Riffle Minnow IC Phenacobius catostomus Stargazing Minnow Phenacobius uranops INT IC Tennessee Dace HB Phoxinus tennesseensis 28 Species Category SMM SMM SMM SMM SMM SMM SMM Drainage Basin COO COO COO**, TEN COO, TEN TEN COO TEN COO TEN TEN COO TEN COO, TEN COO COO TEN TEN Fish List for the Ridge and Valley Ecoregion of Georgia. Species Tolerance Ranking Feeding Guild Bluntnose Minnow GE Pimephales notatus Fathead Minnow GE Pimephales promelas Bullhead Minnow GE Pimephales vigilax Blacknose Dace IC Rhinichthys atratulus Creek Chub GE Semotilus atromaculatus Catostomidae River Carpsucker GE Carpiodes carpio Quillback GE Carpiodes cyprinus White Sucker IN Catostomus commersoni Alabama Hogsucker IN Hypentelium etowanum Northern Hogsucker IN Hypentelium nigricans Smallmouth Buffalo GE Ictiobus bubalus Spotted Sucker IN Minytrema melanops Silver Redhorse IN Moxostoma anisurum River Redhorse IN Moxostoma carinatum Black Redhorse IN Moxostoma duquesnei Golden Redhorse IN Moxostoma erythrurum Blacktail Redhorse IN Moxostoma poecilurum 29 Species Category SMM RBS RBS RBS RBS RBS RBS RBS RBS RBS Drainage Basin TEN EXOTIC COO, TEN COO, TEN COO, TEN TEN TEN TEN COO TEN COO, TEN COO, TEN TEN COO, TEN COO, TEN COO, TEN COO Fish List for the Ridge and Valley Ecoregion of Georgia. Species Tolerance Ranking Feeding Guild Ictaluridae Snail Bullhhead GE Ameiurus brunneus Black Bullhead GE Ameiurus melas Yellow Bullhead GE Ameiurus natalis Brown Bullhead GE Ameiurus nebulosus Blue Catfish CR Ictalurus furcatus Channel Catfish GE Ictalurus punctatus Speckled Madtom Noturus leptacanthus HWI IN Mountain Madtom IN Noturus eleutherus Yellowfin Madtom IN Noturus flavipinnis Frecklebelly Madtom IN Noturus munitus Flathead Catfish CR Pylodictis olivaris Esocidae Redfin Pickerel CR Esox americanus Chain Pickerel CR Esox niger Salmonidae Rainbow Trout CR Oncorhynchus mykiss Brown Trout CR Salmo trutta Brook Trout CR Salvelinus fontinalis 30 Species Category BI BI BI BI Drainage Basin COO, TEN** COO, TEN COO, TEN COO, TEN COO, TEN COO, TEN COO TEN TEN COO COO, TEN COO COO EXOTIC EXOTIC COO**, TEN Fish List for the Ridge and Valley Ecoregion of Georgia. Species Tolerance Ranking Feeding Guild Fundulidae Northern Studfish Fundulus catenatus INT IN Blackspotted Topminnow IN Fundulus olivaceus Southern Studfish Fundulus stellifer HWI IN Poeciliidae Mosquitofish GE Gambusia sp. Atherinidae Brook Silversides IN Labidesthes sicculus Cottidae Mottled Sculpin IN Cottus bairdi Banded Sculpin IN Cottus carolinae Percichthyidae White Bass CR Morone chrysops Yellow Bass CR Morone mississippiensis Striped Bass CR Morone saxatalis Centrarchidae Shadow Bass Ambloplites ariommus INT CR Rock Bass Ambloplites rupestris HWI CR Redbreast Sunfish IN Lepomis auritus Green Sunfish IN Lepomis cyanellus Warmouth CR Lepomis gulosus 31 Species Category BI BI SF SF SF SF SF Drainage Basin TEN COO, TEN COO COO, TEN TEN COO, TEN COO, TEN COO**, TEN TEN COO COO TEN COO**, TEN** COO, TEN COO, TEN Fish List for the Ridge and Valley Ecoregion of Georgia. Species Tolerance Ranking Feeding Guild Bluegill IN Lepomis macrochirus Longear Sunfish IN Lepomis megalotis Redear Sunfish IN Lepomis microlophus Spotted Sunfish IN Lepomis punctatus Redeye Bass Micropterus coosae HWI CR Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu INT CR Spotted Bass CR Micropterus punctulatus Largemouth Bass CR Micropterus salmoides White Crappie CR Pomoxis annularis Black Crappie CR Pomoxis nigromaculatus Percidae Greenside Darter Etheostoma blennioides HWI IN Holiday Darter IN Etheostoma brevirostrum Rainbow Darter Etheostoma caeruleum HWI IN Coosa Darter IN Etheostoma coosae Coldwater Darter IN Etheostoma ditrema Black Darter IN Etheostoma duryi Blueside Darter Etheostoma jessiae INT IN 32 Species Category SF SF SF SF CENT CENT CENT CENT CENT CENT BI BI BI BI BI BI BI Drainage Basin COO, TEN COO, TEN COO, TEN COO, TAL COO, TEN** TEN COO, TEN COO, TEN COO, TEN COO, TEN TEN COO TEN COO COO TEN TEN Fish List for the Ridge and Valley Ecoregion of Georgia. Species Tolerance Ranking Feeding Guild Greenbreast Darter Etheostoma jordani INT IN Stripetail Darter IN Etheostoma kennicotti Redline Darter IN Etheostoma rufilineatum Rock Darter IN Etheostoma rupestre Tennessee Snubnose Darter IN Etheostoma simoterum Speckled Darter Etheostoma stigmaeum INT IN Trispot Darter IN Etheostoma trisella Banded Darter Etheostoma zonale INT IN Amber Darter IN Percina antesella Goldline Darter IN Percina aurolineata Logperch Percina caprodes INT IN Conasauga Logperch IN Percina jenkinsi Freckled Darter IN Percina lenticula Mobile Logperch Percina kathae INT IN Dusky Darter IN Percina sciera River Darter IN Percina shumardi Blackbanded Darter IN Percina nigrofasciata 33 Species Category BI BI BI BI BI BI BI BI BI BI BI BI BI BI BI BI BI Drainage Basin COO TEN TEN COO TEN COO COO TEN COO COO TEN COO COO TAL TEN COO, TEN COO Fish List for the Ridge and Valley Ecoregion of Georgia. Species Bronze Darter Percina palmaris Snail Darter Percina tanasi Upland Bridled Darter Percina sp. Yellow perch Perca flavescens Sauger Stizostedion canadense Walleye Stizostedion vitreum Sciaenidae Freshwater Drum Aplodinotus grunniens Tolerance Ranking HWI Feeding Guild IN IN IN CR CR CR Species Category BI BI BI Drainage Basin COO TEN COO EXOTIC TEN COO, TEN CR COO, TEN 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: COO = Coosa; TEN = Tennessee EXOTIC = species introduced to Georgia ** = species introduced to that drainage basin 34