Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program:
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Quantified evidence of changes to population demographics of small-bodied stream fishes stemming from habitat modification is limited. In order to sustain populations of at risk species through habitat rehabilitation, information is needed regarding demographic responses including survival and movement among the mosaic of habitat patches present in stream systems. A collaborative study with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission was initiated to assess population demographic response of Northern Pearl Dace to stream channelization in the Nebraska Sandhills Ecoregion. This work may benefit decisions regarding needs for habitat rehabilitation within agriculture-dominated landscapes as well as inform species status assessments within State Wildlife Action Plans.