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

The objective of this study is to produce a model that can be used to predict distribution and population growth rates based on current environmental conditions. The ultimate goal is a forecasting tool that can effectively predict population trends associated with various management actions. 1) Determine and/or develop and apply effective analytical approaches to identify the environmental factors affecting the reproductive status, movements, and habitat use of pallid sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon in the Missouri River based on data collected through telemetry on physiology, behavior, and habitat association of sturgeon. 2) Determine and/or develop and apply effective analytical approaches to assess the status, distribution, and trends of Missouri River fish populations, with emphasis on sturgeon, based on data collected in association with the various USACE BiOp compliance activities. 3) Provide information for correcting systematic error in the sturgeon bioenergetics model and for adapting the model to simulate fish condition 4) Develop an age-based population forecasting models for Lower Missouri River shovelnose and pallid sturgeon population structures and distributions within an individual-based, spatially explicit framework.