Description
Description of Program and/or Project a. Background: The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Network is a national consortium of federal agencies, academic institutions, tribal, state, and local governments, nongovernmental conservation organizations (300 partners). The Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) is a cooperative network, transcending political and institutional boundaries, which creates innovative opportunities for research, education, and technical assistance in support of the management and stewardship by partner agencies of the Desert Southwestâ¿¿s natural, cultural, and social resources. The CESU has a unique collaborative relationship with research scientists, end users of research products, the public, and educators who are trained to bridge the gap between researchers, science users, and educators. The Aravaipa Creek native fish monitoring is a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit project. This project is an extension of monitoring activities initiated in 1963 by Dr. W.L. Minckley, Arizona State University. The long-term monitoring data set is the longest such effort for native fish in Arizona. This effort is being continued by BLM, the University of Arizona, and The Nature Conservancy. Monitoring shows that the native fish community continues to be robust despite substantial changes in human uses. It also shows a gradual and increasing invasion and spread by nonnative fishes, indicating instability that may result in long-term negative change. The primary objectives of the monitoring is to determine distribution and relative abundance of both native and nonnative fish species. Information collected from the bi-annual fish monitoring is shared among all partners and interested public and is used by state, federal, and private agencies to manage, conserve, and protect the fish species and their habitats for present and future generations to experience and enjoy. The recipient of this financial agreement, will: 1) continue bi-annual fish monitoring using protocols consistent with, and supplemental to, those for the 40-year existing data set; 2) evaluate the need of increasing the intensity of monitoring, including increased sampling events consistent with the 40-year data set, as well as short-term efforts using alternative methodologies to answer other questions; 3) provide for improved long-term storage and retrieval of all Aravaipa Creek fish sampling data with periodic summary reports; 4) coordinate approximately 20-student volunteers bi-annually for spring and fish monitoring; and 5) utilize fishery data in context of other research to inform management decisions. This project will support cooperative efforts to conserve and protect the native fishery and aquatic and riparian habitats within Aravaipa Creek. b. Objectives: 1. Determine distribution, relative abundance, and long-term trends in in fish species abundance and community composition of both native and nonnative fish species. 2. Identify, through monitoring, sources, invasions, and establishment of nonnative fishes within the Aravaipa Creek watershed.