MERGING GEOMORPHIC AND ECOLOGICAL METRICS TO DETERMINE HABITAT SUITABILITY FOR FISH AND MUSSEL SPECIES IN COPPER CREEK, VA

The Karst topography of the Upper Tennessee River and Clinch River Basin combined with the wide range of climate conditions of the southern Appalachians has prompted evolution of one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in North America. Copper Creek, a tributary to the Clinch River supports 8 critically endangered species, 7 of which are aquatic. Habitat degradation (primarily due to agricultural practices) is believed to be the major cause for population decline of these species.

Our research combines methods from Rosgen's Stream Morphology and Simonson's Guidelines for Evaluating Fish Habitat in an attempt to merge geomorphic characteristics with a standardized fish habitat index. By uniting these two disciplines, we can determine the relative health and restorability of riverine habitat in Copper Creek for the benefit of fish and mussel species.

Our findings suggest that there is a correlation between the relative stability of the channel pattern and profile and habitat index matrix. This matrix includes factors such as percent bank erosion, undercut banks, percent spawning gravel, and percent refugia. Identifying the relationship between stream stability in a geomorphic context and fish habitat health in an ecological context unites two disciplines and has allowed us to develop a more refined multi- disciplinary index for use in other Appalachian streams.