Trophic Structure, Reproductive Success, and Growth Rate of Fishes in a Natural and Modified Headwater Stream

The impact of removing riparian vegetation, channel straightening, and fluctuations in flow regime on trophic structure, reproductive success, and growth rate of fishes was assessed in a natural (Jordan Creek (JC)) and modified (Big Ditch (BD)) headwater stream in east-central Illinois. Shallow habitats and organic substrates increased more in BD than JC during low flow periods in summer. Insect densities in JC were highest in late spring, declining to low levels by late summer. Insect densities in BD were high throughout summer. Fish in JC were predominantly benthic insectivores and insectivore–piscivores; trophic structure, age structure, and biomass were stable between years and seasons; recruits made up a small and stable portion of community biomass and were primarily insectivore–piscivores and generalized insectivores; younger age-classes were in shallow riffle habitats. Adult fish and recruits in BD were predominantly generalized insectivores, omnivores, and herbivore–detritivores; the last two were primarily mid-river species (Carpoides cyprinus and Dorosoma cepedianum). Considerable seasonal and annual variation in trophic structure, total biomass, and age structure occurred in BD associated with annual fluctuations in flow regime, abundance of organic substrates, and reproductive success of mid-river species. Younger age-classes had higher summer growth rates in BD than JC. The temporally variable physical environment and unstable autotrophic energy base created in modified headwater streams are probably major factors responsible for recent shifts in large river fish communities in the midwestern United States from insectivore and insectivore–piscivore species to omnivores and herbivore–detritivores.Key words: community organization, fishes, Illinois, stream continuum, stream alteration, trophic ecology, warmwater stream