Final Report: Data Validation of Subsurface Habitat Classification for Aquatic Systems and Expand Biological Monitoring in the Pearl River Basin in Support of Developing Species-Habitat Relationships and Species Endpoints

In 2014, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) was awarded a grant from USFWS Baton Rouge Conservation Office to provide “Data Validation of Subsurface Habitat Classification for Aquatic Systems and to Expand Biological Monitoring in the Pearl River Basin in Support of Developing Species-Habitat Relationships and Species Endpoints”. Specific project objectives are as follows:
1.Contribute to the development of subsurface aquatic habitat data in the Pearl River basin
2.Summarize these data in a manner that characterizes subsurface aquatic habitats
3.Field validation of the interpreted data and spatial distribution of habitat types
4.Collect biological data with specific reference to the newly developed spatial habitat data
As of May 30, 2016, approximately 100% of the subsurface aquatic habitat effort was completed. This effort accounts for 70% of the total project. LDWF have provided sonar collection support, developed protocols, completed field work and analysis described in the “Summary of Sampling Activities during April 16th – May 27th and June 22th – 30th to Ground Truth Sonar Waveform Signatures” document delivered to USFWS. LDWF also established Channel Geomorphic Unit (CGU) delineations and naming conventions and sample site naming conventions outlined in the Pearl River Basin Aquatic Conservation Partnership Habitat Delineation document delivered to USFWS.
The expanded biological effort was directed at the quantification of freshwater mussel assemblages and their microhabitat (CGU) associations in the Pearl and Bogue Chitto Rivers. This initiative was completed on August 31, 2016 and accounted for 30% of the total project and was supported by USFWS. Efforts included a pilot field sampling study, protocol development, datasheet development and sample station selection. These efforts are outlined in the following documents: Summary of Sampling Activities during August 10th – 13th and October 5th - 8th;An evaluation of qualitative and quantitative sampling techniques to describe Channel Geomorphic Units; Quantitative (Belt-Transect) Freshwater Mussel Survey Protocol for the Pearl; Pearl River freshwater mussel data sheet and Pearl River freshwater mussel Station map and excel sheet. The quantitative mussel survey occurred July 19, 2016 through August 9, 2016. All data sheets associated with the survey were scanned and delivered to USFWS in preparation of the final report.