Table 4-5. Description of component metrics of example indicator and conceptual linkages to stressors 



Metric 



Native Species Richness 

 Native Family Rictiness 



Native Benthic Species 

 Richness 



Native Water Column 

 Species Richness 



Total Abundance 



Proportion of Individuals 

 as Non-native Species 



Sensitive Species Richness 



Proportion of Individuals 

 from Tolerant Species 



Number of Trophic Strategies 



Proportion of Individuals 

 as Top Carnivores 



Proportion of Individuals 

 as Invertlvores 



Proportion of Individuals 

 as Omnivores 



Proportion of Individuals 

 as Herbivores 



Number of Reproductive 

 Strategies 



Proportion of Individuals 

 as Tolerant Spawners 



Description, Rationale, and Linkage to Stressors 



Response 

 To Increased 



Human 

 Disturbance^ 



Species Richness and Composition Metrics' 



Number of different native species collected. Measure of biodiversity. Decrease 



Number of different families represented in sample. Assess degree to which Decrease 



stream reach supports families represented by only one or a few; species. 



Species adapted for utilizing bottom habitat. Measure of substrate habitat quality Decrease 



and quality of riffle habitats, affected by sedimentation. 



Species adapted for utilizing surface and midwater habitats. Measure of habitat Decrease 



quality (esp. pools); affected by increased turbidity. 



Abundance and Condition Metrics' 



Number of individuals collected. Measure of relative productivity. Decrease 



Indicator Species Metrics' 



Measure of biological "pollution," also a biological stressor to native fish Increase 



populations. 



First species lost follovi^lng human disturbance, last to recover following restoration Decrease 



Individuals that are tolerant of disturbance or extremes in environmental Decrease 



restoration conditions. 



Trophic Function Metrics' 



Excluding omnivores; measure of trophic/food web complexity of fish assemblage. Decrease 



Measure of ability of food chain to support top level; affected by toxics, turbidity. Decrease 



Measure of capacity of system to support primary consumers (major trophic Decrease 



group of fishes). 



Trophic generallsts feeding on variety of plant and animal material. Increase 



Taxa that feed exclusively on plants and algae. Inaease 



Reproductive Function Metrics' 



Excludes strategies tolerant to siltation. Measure of ability of stream reach to Deaease 



support a variety of reproductive strategies; affected by toxics, turbidity, 



sedimentation. 



Species that can reproduce under a broad range of habitat conditions with no Increase 

 special requirements for spawning to occur. 



'Based on Fausch et al. (1990) and Hoefs and Boyle (1992) 

 'Terminology based on Simon and Lyons (1995) 



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