Emiquon Science Conference 2015
ABSTRACTS
Floodplain Restoration and Connection
(order: alphabetical by first author’s last name)
ORAL PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES AND CURRENT PLANS FOR MANAGING THE
NATURE CONSERVANCY’S EMIQUON PRESERVE
Doug Blodgett
The Nature Conservancy
Naturally functioning floodplains provide an abundance of ecosystem services. At the 14,000acre Emiquon Complex, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and The Nature Conservancy focus
management on those ecosystem services that provide habitats and ecological processes
important for native biodiversity. Examples include providing quality feeding and resting areas
for migratory waterfowl and connectivity to allow aquatic organisms access to carry out life
requisites. Working with partners, the Conservancy identified a suite of Key Ecological
Attributes (KEAs) for our Emiquon Preserve. We believe the KEAs are the more important
biological characteristics and ecological processes that exemplify and shape our conservation
targets at the site. Information from monitoring these KEAs provides feedback to assess
restoration progress and guide management using an adaptive management framework.
Managing to maximize all these KEAs at one time and space is impractical as many conflicts
would exist. However, the landscape scale of the Emiquon Complex provides opportunities to
provide a broad range of processes and habitats spatially, and this diversity is enhanced with the
ability to vary management temporal y as well. While not generally managed specifically for
them, the complex provides a variety of additional ecosystem services such as storing storm
water and contributing to a more natural hydrology with reduced flood damages, processing
nutrients and other pollutants thereby improving water quality, and sequestering carbon and
helping alleviate unnatural climate change. As with the KEAs, conflicts would exist if we
attempted to maximize all these services concurrently. Being able to control water levels and
manage connectivity has been identified as critical management needs to address many of the
KEAs at the Emiquon Preserve and likewise would contribute to other ecosystem services.
Toward that end, plans have been developed for managed connection with the Illinois River
through the Emiquon East Habitat Rehabilitation and Enhancement Project with the US Army
Corps of Engineers and other partners as part of the Upper Mississippi River Restoration
Environmental Management Program (UMRR-EMP). While some issues have delayed that
project, we are hopeful it will be completed as the first public-private partnership in the UMRREMP.
MAINTENANCE OF WILLOW SHRUB AND SCATTERED CANOPY BY BEAVOR
HERBIVORY IN A FLOODPLAIN FOREST NEAR DAVENPORT, IOWA
Victoria Green and Susan P. Romano
Departments of Biological Sciences and Geography, Western Illinois University-Quad Cities,
Moline, Illinois
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Beavers are often described as ecosystem engineers that have profound effects upon the forest
community and hydrology. Beavers build dams and lodges which not only remove trees from
the surrounding floodplain forest, but also change hydrology and water features. Changes in
nutrient cycling, water quality, hydrology, geomorphology, and herbaceous plant species
composition have all occurred from manipulation of the natural environment by beavers. The
goal of this research near Davenport, Iowa, was to determine tree diameter and species selected
by beaver for food and shelter to gauge the impact of this activity on wetland forest ecosystem
species composition and diversity. An area of activity (4559.9 m2) for one beaver colony was
identified, trees were measured for diameter at 10 cm above the ground, trees identified to
species, and location was collected using GPS. Also noted were trees selected by beaver based
on tooth and chew markings on the stem. Results show a beaver preference for black willow
(Salix nigra, Marshall), box elder (Acer negundo), button bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis L.),
green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), rough-leaved dogwood (Cornus drummondii Mey), and
silver maple (Acer saccharinum). Beaver avoided Eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides),
hackberry (Celtis occidentalis L.), slippery elm (Ulmus rubra Muhl), and white mulberry (Morus
alba L.). Smaller diameter trees were preferred by beaver, with a mean diameter of 57.5 mm.
Trees with no herbivory had a mean diameter of 94.5 mm. This study indicates that beaver have
a preference for smaller diameter trees, and also a favor black willow. Ecologically, repetitive
beaver activity in early successional floodplain forests along the Upper Mississippi River could
be a reoccurring disturbance that would maintain a willow-shrub habitat. The lack of herbivory
on larger diameter trees and certain species also indicate an impact of beaver on strata
differences in the floodplain forest, where trees that are not selected by beaver remain to form an
overstory canopy, and provide a mosaic of habitat diversity within the area.
ZOOPLANKTON COMMUNITIES IN UNCONNECTED AND CONNECTED
BACKWATER HABITATS ALONG THE ILLINOIS RIVER, ILLINOIS
Maria Lemke1, John Beaver2, and Collin Hinz3
1
The Nature Conservancy, 2BSA Environmental Services, Inc., 3Illinois River Biological Station
In April 2013, water levels reached historical flood heights that breached and overflowed levees
that otherwise had separated backwater habitats from the Illinois River, Illinois for almost 100
years. Zooplankton were collected from two backwater habitats that experienced different levels
of flooding as part of a larger study to record the response of floodplain-river ecosystems to
different levels of flood disturbance. Our objective was to quantify zooplankton community
composition, biomass and secondary production in two backwater habitats that differed in
connectivity to the river. Emiquon Preserve had water overtop levees for six days, but the levee
was not breached during the flood. Levee failure at Merwin Preserve resulted in an unmanaged
connection between the backwater floodplain and the Illinois River. Monthly zooplankton
samples were collected for one year (2013-14) from Thompson Lake at Emiquon Preserve and
from Long Lake at Merwin Preserve. Preliminary analyses indicate that rotifers comprised about
88% of total annual densities in Thompson Lake and Long Lake. However, the distribution of
biomass was very different between the two sites. In Thompson Lake, annual biomass was
equally distributed among cladocerans (37% of total annual estimated biomass), copepods (30%)
and rotifers (31%); whereas, at Long Lake, annual biomass was dominated by rotifers (57%)
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followed by copepods (28%) and cladocerans (11%). Comparisons of biomass and density
patterns in Thompson Lake (2013-14) to previous years (2008-09, 2011-12) indicate that the
flooding had a minimal effect on community structure compared to that of Long Lake.
HYDRAULIC MODELING IN ASSISTING REAL-TIME RESPONSE AND
STRATEGIC PLANNING TO FLOODING RISKS ALONG THE ILLINOIS RIVER
Yanqing Lian and Misganaw Demissie
Illinois State Water Survey
The Illinois River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. Historically the Illinois River has
experienced major floods in 1943, 1979, 1986, 1993, 2008, and recently in April of this year.
Causes of flooding in the Illinois River were due to heavy rains in the Illinois River Basin such
as in 1979, or the backwater effect from the Mississippi River as in 1993, but most often
flooding from the Illinois River Basin combined with raised water level in the Mississippi River
at Grafton. The 2013 flood crested at all-time high in the City of Peoria which is one of the major
industrial cities in Illinois. Tributary rivers were also rising, affecting many towns in the state. In
the Chicago suburbs, the Des Plaines River was causing flooding worries, while sections of the
northern Illinois town of Marseilles were flooded after seven barges broke free on the Illinois
River late Thursday and struck a dam and blocked conveyance. In the downstream portion of the
river, two of The Nature Conservancy ecosystem restoration levee and drainage districts (Spunky
Bottoms and Emiquon) were flooded by the flood. Hydrographs at four gaging stations showed
clear drops of flood elevations induced by the Spunky Bottoms levee breach. This talk will
present simulations of this historic flood using the one dimensional hydraulic model – UNET and
simulation of levee breach at Spunky Bottoms. We have also analyzed alternative levee
management options which could have prevented levee overtopping or breach to critical levee
and drainage districts.
MEASURING AND MODELING FOOD WEB SUPPORT IN HIGHLY TRANSIENT
ECOSYSTEMS: RIVER FLOODPLAINS
Jim Lovvorn
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois
Perhaps the most striking characteristic of river floodplains is the transience of conditions.
Hydroperiod usually varies greatly among seasons and years, making it difficult to generalize
about how floodplains function and what services they provide. Although most ecosystems
exhibit transience, for floodplains transience is not just variability around long-term tendencies
but rather a fundamental driver of structure and function. As a result, studies of transience
effects in floodplains may demand conceptual and methodological innovations that could alter
research perspectives in other types of ecosystems. In this talk I will suggest a series of steps for
studying food webs in highly transient river floodplains: (1) select a finite number of
recognizable habitats that are thought to provide important food web support for fish or birds, (2)
measure or estimate biomasses, diets, net immigration/import rates, and production rates of most
food web components (bacteria to birds) through time relative to season and hydroperiod, (3) do
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network model simulations through time to infer controls on food web structure and function
relative to season and hydroperiod, and (4) identify which of those controls are subject to
restoration or manipulation of flooding regime. The goal of this research program is to provide a
mechanistic basis for deciding whether reconnecting a given floodplain to the river would
enhance food web functions of high priority, depending on the nature and degree of that
connection.
ILLINOIS RIVER BACKWATER SEDIMENT: PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL
PROPERTIES AND POTENTIAL USES
John C. Marlin, PhD.
Illinois Sustainable Technology Center
Sedimentation has been long recognized as a major cause of habitat loss in the Upper Mississippi
River Watershed. Optimizing sediment management and removal are, therefore, important
considerations for the long-term health of the river system. This presentation will provide some
insights on sediment quality and reuse. Fertility, structure and chemical quality of sediment will
be discussed, from backwater and side channel locations from Hennepin to Beardstown. Core
length often exceeded 250 cm. Some techniques for sediment removal and the results of its use
as topsoil at a number of sites will also be mentioned as will potential uses for habitat
enhancement.
THE ROLE OF POLICY IN PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE FLOODPLAIN
MANAGEMENT
Silvia Secchi
Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Environmental Resources
Co-Director, Environmental Resources & Policy Ph.D. Program
Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Illinois 62901
In the US, several Federal agencies and programs play roles in floodplain management, under
various statutory authorities. Their historical goals have been to ensure navigation and reduce
flood damage. It has become apparent that these goals can be at odds with each other, and that
other policy objectives, such as habitat protection and water conservation should be considered.
We will discuss how recent Federal policy developments address sustainability issues, focusing
on two recent bills, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act and the Agricultural Act
of 2014, and on the state of the National Floodplain Insurance Program. We will consider the
historical context within which these policies were developed, their goals and challenges under
current circumstances and potential alternative policy tools.
ECOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO RESTORATION EFFORTS IN THE CACHE RIVER,
ILLINOIS
M.R. Whiles, H. Rantala, K. Baumann, S. Bonjour, E. A. Scholl
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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ABSTRACTS
Floodplain Restoration and Connection
(order: alphabetical by first author’s last name)
The Cache River, located in southernmost Illinois, has been a focal point for river restoration
activities. The Cache basin supports high biodiversity, including numerous threatened and
endangered species, and wetlands of international importance. Despite its ecological
significance, the system has been heavily modified by human activities, with negative ecological
consequences. The Post Creek Cutoff, created in 1915, essentially disconnected the upper and
lower sections of the river, resulting in channel incision and wetland drainage in the upper Cache
River (UCR) and compromised flows and reduced water quality in the lower Cache River
(LCR). Recent efforts to ameliorate these negative impacts include installation of numerous rock
weirs in the UCR to stabilize the channel, and proposals for partial hydrologic reconnection to
enhance flows in the LCR. Our research group has been studying ecological responses to past
and planned restorations. Documented responses to weirs in the UCR include increases in
sensitive invertebrate taxa, enhanced insect emergences, and positive responses by insectivorous
birds. Weirs also appear to benefit fishes in direct and indirect ways. Models of ecological
responses to hydrologic reconnection, based on actual data from the UCR and LCR, suggest that
restoration of even minimal flows in the LCR could greatly enhance dissolved oxygen levels,
with potential cascading responses. Collectively, our studies demonstrate tangible ecological
benefits of stream restoration projects and represent one of the few quantitative assessments of
ecological responses to stream restoration.
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF ILLINOIS RIVER VALLEY ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
Michael D. Wiant
Illinois State Museum—Dickson Mounds
For thousands of years central Illinois River valley ecosystem services were subject primarily to
climate and landscape evolution, and to a significantly lesser extent by humanity. This situation
would change profoundly during the mid to late 19th century with urbanization, large-scale
cultivation, and efforts to improve river transportation and flood control. But progress has
consequence, some anticipated and accepted others not so, and we now find restoration of altered
ecosystem services desirable, if not imperative. Is it now time to expand our view and see the
future as the past?
POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
DATA MANAGEMENT: FILE SYSTEMS, DATABASES, AND METADATA
Karen S. Baker1, Christy A. Troxell-Thomas2, and William G. Pooler1
1
Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign,
Champaign, IL 61820, 2Biology Department, University of Illinois, One University Plaza,
Springfield, IL 62703
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Data management contributes to the growth of local data infrastructure supporting collaborative
research in the natural sciences. An important first step in local data management is the process
of data assembly. Providing access by a consortium of researchers to assembled data requires
planning with two timeframes in mind. In the short-term, support for data aggregation and access
at the local site is a high priority. For the long-term, planning toward processes and procedures
that support data migration to new technologies as well as to established data repositories is
critical. Differing approaches to data storage, organization, and metadata provide examples of
multi-temporal planning. A comparison is made between use of file systems and relational
databases for heterogeneous field data. Best practices in data management planning will be used
to show the weaknesses and strengths of each method.
INFLUENCE OF CLIMATIC VARIABILITY ON MACROINVERTEBRATE
COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN THE CACHE RIVER FOLLOWING A LEGACY OF
HYDROLOGIC ALTERATION
Karen A. Baumann, Eric A. Scholl, Heidi M. Rantala, and Matt R. Whiles
Department of Zoology and Center for Ecology, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
With stream restorations increasingly common, ecological data to guide these efforts are in
demand. The Cache River watershed in southern Illinois is divided into the upper (UCR) and
lower (LCR) Cache River sub-watersheds due to a diversion ditch and levee disconnecting the
two segments. Consequently, the LCR suffers from reduced flow, hypoxia, and sedimentation,
and resource managers are exploring scenarios for partial reconnection of the two segments to
restore flow. This reconnection is expected to increase base flow in the LCR during the dry
summer months, so examining ecological responses to a variety of summer flow conditions
should provide insight into potential responses to reconnection. The Cache River experienced a
large flood in 2011 and exceptional drought in 2012. We examined macroinvertebrate
communities in the UCR and LCR during the summers of 2010-2013. Community composition
in both reaches differed significantly among years (p=0.0001). Mean body size was significantly
higher in the UCR (p=0.002), and highest overall in 2011, a flood year (p=0.001). Body size of
chironomids, which dominate the LCR assemblage, was positively correlated with monthly
discharge in June of all years (p=0.008). Spatial variability of chironomids (calculated as
biomass coefficient of variation, CV) was negatively correlated with mean discharge (p=0.04).
Responses to hydrologic variation indicate restored flow in the LCR could affect food quality
(invertebrate body size) and patchiness (CV) available to higher trophic levels.
PLANKTON COMMUNITY CHANGES IN THE EARLY RESTORATION PHASE OF
THOMPSON LAKE RESTORATION, EMIQUON PRESERVE, IL
Logan Benedict *1, 2, Mike J. Lemke2, Felipe Velho3, Luzia Cleide Rodrigues3, Keenan
Dungey2, Angela Kent4.
1
UIS Therkildsen Field Station at Emiquon, Lewistown, Illinois, 2University of Illinois
Springfield, Springfield, Illinois. 3University of Maringa, Maringa, Brazil. 4University of Illinois
Champaign-Urbana, Urbana, Illinois.
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The physical restoration of Emiquon and Thompson Lake began in 2007, after decades of
agricultural use. Microbial “loop” plankton communities serve as responsive biotic indicators
due to their position in the food web, and to their responsiveness to physical and chemical
changes. The objective of this study was to complete a five-year time series monitoring effort to
capture changes in ecosystem structure and function that would occur in the early restoration of a
lake on a river floodplain not yet connected to its flood pulse source. Lake water was sampled
weekly for bacteria and physical and chemical parameters, and bi-weekly for phyto- and
zooplankton (n=3; March-November 2008-2012). Bacterial community composition was
assessed by DNA fingerprinting and other plankton described by microscopy. In 2008, the low
dissolved nitrogen waters of Thompson Lake were clear, but became more turbid in 2010-2011.
Thompson Lake experienced an extensive cyanobacterial bloom (Aphanizomenon flos-aque) in
2008-09 due to a rapid increase in dissolved phosphate, followed by decrease abundance and
greater diversity of cyanobacteria in 2010. 2010 was a pivotal year that resulted in a microbial
community regime shift: eukaryotic autotrophs more than doubled in abundance by 2011,
dominated by classes Bacillario-, Chloro- and Cryptophyceae. The most abundant ciliate orders
of Oligotrichada and Hymenostomatida had a 1:3 in 2009 and then a 2:1 ratio in 2012. These
results indicate that the lake has gone through an early stage transitional change that resulted in
significant changes in the plankton communities.
PEOPLE AT EMIQUON: RECREATION AND EDUCATION
Jason Beverlin and Cammy Smith
The Nature Conservancy
Why are people important to floodplain restoration and what are the methods Emiquon uses to
engage them? One of the objectives at Emiquon is to build support for functional floodplain
management by sharing science and restoration techniques that will lead to the replication of
floodplain restoration projects along the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers and rivers around the
world. Support is built by demonstrating to target audiences how restored floodplains provide
habitat for native plants and animals, contribute to a more natural hydrology by storing storm
waters, provide improved water quality and manage sediments and nutrients, while providing
excellent recreational opportunities and driving local and regional economic development. The
Conservancy has worked with partners in determining target audiences and the most effective
delivery and marketing opportunities for those audiences. Current demonstration efforts include
an observation area with interpretive materials, museum exhibits, websites, education and
outreach programs, special events, symposiums, hunting and boating and fishing. These efforts
have seen significant public response.
LEAF- THE NATURE CONSERVANCY’S LEADERS IN EVNIRONMENTAL ACTION
FOR THE FUTURE PROGRAM IN ILLINOIS
Jason Beverlin, Karen Tharp, and Kelly Butler
The Nature Conservancy
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(order: alphabetical by first author’s last name)
The LEAF program provides paid summer internships for students in nature preserves across the
nation and helped educators from environmental high schools share best practices and scientific
resources during the academic year. The program has had a tremendous impact on urban youth—
opening their eyes to career possibilities, building self-confidence, work skills and conservation
literacy. Working with partners from Therkildsen Field Station at Emiquon, Dickson Mounds
Museum and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, student are provided conservation
work experiences that include research and monitoring, invasive species removal, archeology
and maintenance. Interns are provided on site housing and use of cell phones, computers
and iPads are minimally allowed.
CONSTRUCTED RIFFLES AFFECT COMMUNITY STRUCTURE AND DIETS OF
FISHES IN A MIDWESTERN RIVER
Sophia Bonjour, Heidi M. Rantala, Micah G. Bennett, and Matt R. Whiles
Department of Zoology and Center for Ecology, Southern Illinois University
Rock weirs have been used as a restoration practice for channel stabilization in many
Midwestern rivers. Previous research in the Cache River found that weirs benefitted aquatic
macroinvertebrate and riparian bird communities by enhancing habitat heterogeneity and insect
emergence production. Based on prior studies, we hypothesized that fishes would also benefit
from weirs through enhanced habitat heterogeneity and food availability. We collected fishes
using hand nets, seines, and electroshocking at weir and non-weir sites in the upper Cache River.
We flushed guts of larger individuals streamside, while smaller specimens were preserved whole
and later dissected. Gut contents of both were identified, enumerated, and measured. Fish
communities differed significantly between weir and non-weir habitats (global R=0.63, p<0.05),
with more benthic-feeding fishes collected at weirs. Non-weir fish assemblages were
characterized by more surface feeding taxa. Fishes from weir sites had more diverse diets and
more prey biomass in guts (global R=0.54, p=0.001 for both), although total abundance of prey
in guts did not differ between habitat types. Differences in biomass in guts were driven by
invertebrate taxa, such as filter feeding insects, which are found primarily on weir habitats in this
stream. Fishes from both habitats selected for EPT taxa and against Chironomidae larvae.
Invertivorous fishes in non-weir habitats consumed significantly more chironomids than
invertivores from weirs, which consumed significantly more EPT taxa. Results support
predictions developed during prior studies and further demonstrate positive ecological responses
to restoration practices in the Cache River.
STORAGE OF SOIL ORGANIC CARBON AND TOTAL NITROGEN IN RESTORED
WETLANDS AND CROPLANDS OF ILLINOIS: A CHRONOSEQUENCE APPROACH
Clayton D. Buss, Hua Chen, and Amy McEuen
University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, Illinois
Wetlands play an important role in carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycle. The loss of wetlands for
croplands results in the release of significant amounts of C from soil organic matter into
atmosphere. It is not clear how soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) of wetlands
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restored from croplands in Illinois change with restoration age. The overall goal of this study was
to determine SOC and TN storage of four restored marshes with different restoration ages in
Illinois. This research examined the SOC and TN stored in the top 40cm of soil in restored
wetlands in Illinois and a cropland near each wetland, which remains similar to cropland from
which the wetland was restored. The wetlands Emiquon, Pecatonica, Spunky Bottoms, and FAP
313 were restored 7, 11, 15, and 17 years ago, respectively. A chronosequence technique was
used to evaluate if restored older wetlands store more SOC and TN. Differences between
restored wetland and cropland storage were examined. The SOC and TN storage (Mg/ha) at
each site was 48.03 and 5.51 at Emiquon, 74.02 and 9.18 at Pecatonica, 78.08 and 10.72 at the
Spunky Bottoms, and 43.49 and 4.76 at FAP 313. The greatest effects on SOC and TN were
age of restoration and whether the site was wetland or cropland. The interaction between
location/age and site type was highly significant (p<0.001) for SOC and TN. Additionally, SOC
storage was significantly affected by soil depth, and the interaction between age, site type, and
depth was significant (p<0.05). SOC storage was significantly higher in restored wetlands than
croplands and appeared to increase with wetland age for three of the four sites, but being lowest
in the oldest site (FAP 313). The oldest site's low values may relate to small site size,
community composition, or soil parent material.
THE ENERGETIC CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE EMIQUON PRESERVE FOR
WATERFOWL
Gregory R. Fretueg, Christopher S. Hine, Heath M. Hagy, Michelle M. Horath, Aaron P.
Yetter, and Joshua M. Osborn
Forbes Biological Station – Bellrose Waterfowl Research Center, Illinois Natural History
Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, PO Box 590, Havana, IL
Historically, Illinois River valley (IRV) wetlands have provided important habitat to migratory
waterbirds. Despite vast anthropogenic modifications that have eliminated more than half of the
natural IRV wetlands and degraded others, this ecoregion remains critically important for
migratory waterfowl. The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Emiquon Preserve is the most
substantial wetland restoration effort to date in the region, directly restoring, enhancing, or
protecting >2,700 ha of former wetlands and associated uplands in the central IRV. To determine
how valuable the Emiquon Preserve is we collected 60 benthic invertebrate samples, 30 moistsoil samples, and 60 aquatic vegetation samples to determine the energetic carrying capacity
(ECC) for waterfowl. Samples were processed to identify invertebrates, seeds, and aquatic
vegetation to the lowest possible taxonomic level and weighed to nearest 0.1 mg. Biomass data
from the samples were used to estimate the overall invertebrate, seed, and aquatic vegetation
abundance (kg/ha; dry mass) for the entire Emiquon Preserve. This biomass data was then
aggregated to estimate energetic carrying capacity for waterfowl, expressed as energetic use days
(EUD).
INTERSEX CONDITION IN MALE LARGEMOUTH BASS FROM THE UPPER
ILLINOIS RIVER WATERWAY
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Floodplain Restoration and Connection
(order: alphabetical by first author’s last name)
Mark W. Fritts1, Jason A. DeBoer1, Andrea K. Fritts1, Kristen A. Kellock2, Robert B.
Bringolf3, and Andrew F. Casper1
1
Illinois River Biological Station, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute,
University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, 2Michigan Department of Environmental Quality,
3
Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia
Intersex condition, the presence of both male and female characteristics in individuals of a
normally gonochoristic species, has been documented in many watersheds among a diverse
variety of fishes. Previous researchers indicated that a suite of endocrine disrupting chemicals are
strongly associated with the occurrence of intersex. Although natural rates of intersex condition
in wild fishes vary substantially and the fundamental mechanisms for the development of
intersex in individuals may be poorly understood, new studies in highly urbanized watersheds are
important to our understanding of the management implications of this condition. Environmental
reforms during the last 50 years have led to improved water quality in the Upper Illinois River
Waterway (IRW) and the native fish community has responded favorably. However, emerging
understandings of new threats—like intersex condition—pose new concerns. Our objective was
to survey the severity of intersex in male Largemouth Bass in an area directly affected by surface
runoff and wastewater effluents from the Chicago Metropolitan Area. Histological analysis
indicated that testicular oocytes were present in 21 of 51 (41%) of Largemouth Bass. Oocyte
numbers ranged from 1-25 among intersex individuals. Our study offers a modern analysis of the
severity of intersex in a population of Largemouth Bass near a major metropolitan area, which
represents an important contribution to the understanding of fish reproductive ecology,
particularly in ecosystems with a history of environmental disturbance and recovery such as the
IRW. Continued investigation of intersex condition may assist decision makers tasked with
managing fisheries affected by reproductive impairment.
RESPONSE OF WATERBIRDS AND WETLAND VEGETATION RELATIVE TO KEY
ECOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES AT EMIQUON PRESERVE, 2007-2013
Christopher S. Hine, Heath M. Hagy, Aaron P. Yetter, Michelle M. Horath, and Joshua M.
Osborn
Illinois Natural History Survey, Forbes Biological Station – Bellrose Waterfowl Research
Center, P.O. Box 590, Havana, Illinois 62644
The Nature Conservancy identified key ecological attributes (KEAs) of specific biological
characteristics or ecological processes to guide restoration efforts and evaluate success at
Emiquon. The historic importance of the Illinois River valley to waterbirds has been welldocumented. Consequently, several KEAs at Emiquon were related to waterbird communities
and their habitats. Previous studies have suggested waterbird use may serve as an indicator of
wetland health or a measure of restoration success. Therefore, we monitored the response of
waterbirds and wetland vegetation to restoration at Emiquon during 2007–2013 to evaluate
achievement of desired conditions under the relevant KEAs. Our primary efforts included
assessing: 1) abundance, diversity, and behavior of waterfowl and other waterbirds through
counts and observations; 2) productivity by waterfowl and other waterbirds through brood
counts; 3) plant seed and invertebrate biomass as forage for waterfowl during migration and
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(order: alphabetical by first author’s last name)
breeding periods; and 4) composition and arrangement of wetland vegetation communities
through geospatial covermapping. We present annual monitoring results ranked according to
desired conditions under the KEAs as a means of tracking changes in wetland conditions at
Emiquon.
EMIQUON PRESERVE PLAN OF 2015 WORK PLAN AND ACTIVITIES
Tharran Hobson and Sally McClure
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon preserve has created its 2015 restoration work plan along
with programs and activities including: Fire, invasive species removal, public waterfowl
hunting, deer lease area, waterfowl hunting lease etc. Researchers will be able to view how
potential research locations coincide with Emiquon's restoration and other activities.
IMPLEMENTATION OF A MONARCH WAYSTATION AT EMIQUON
Kaitlin M. Hollenbeck and Tih-Fen Ting
Department of Environmental Studies, University of Illinois Springfield
The monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus, migrates up to 2,000 miles across North America to
reach overwintering grounds in Mexico. Average hectares occupied by monarchs in
overwintering sites have dropped from 20.97 hectares in 1996 to 0.67 hectares in 2013. Habitat
destruction and use of herbicides are considered as the leading causes for the monarch population
decline. Migrating monarchs require milkweed and nectar sources for reproduction and
sustenance to successfully continue their migration and life cycle. Construction of a certified
monarch butterfly waystation at the Emiquon Visitor’s Center provides a stopover of suitable
habitat to support monarchs and other pollinators. In May 2014, approximately 2,000 native
nectar and larval host plants were planted in an area of over 1,100 sq. ft. with a density of 3
plants per sq. ft. to assist monarch butterflies for their northerly spring and southerly fall
migrations. Twenty-five species of native nectar plants and three species of milkweed (Asclepias
spp.) were planted. The waystation was registered through monarchwatch.org and an allweatherproof sign is displayed for educational purposes. Thirty-seven monarchs were tagged
between Sept. 20 and Nov. 5 with all-weather polypropylene tags placed on the discal cell of the
hindwing. Of the monarchs tagged, 20 were males, 17 were females, and 16 were hand-reared
larvae collected from the waystation. The organization Monarch Watch will notify and record
any recovered monarch tags in Mexico from 2014 tagging events at Emiquon.
BREEDING ECOLOGY OF WATERBIRDS IN A RESTORED FLOODPLAIN OF THE
ILLINIOS RIVER
Devin Jen
Illinois Natural History Survey, Forbes Biological Station – Bellrose Waterfowl Research
Center, P.O. Box 590, Havana, Illinois 62644
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ABSTRACTS
Floodplain Restoration and Connection
(order: alphabetical by first author’s last name)
Previous studies have utilized the presence of wetland birds as a measure of restoration success.
The Nature Conservancy’s Emiquon Preserve features over 1800 hectares of restored wetlands
since 2007, making this restoration effort one of the largest in the Illinois River Valley. In order
to determine the success of Emiquon, The Nature Conservancy developed a list of Key
Ecological Attributes which include the presence of breeding wetland birds. However, relatively
little is known about the breeding ecology of these birds. The purpose of this study is to
determine nest success, density, and nesting characteristics of waterbirds at Emiquon. We
randomly selected locations within emergent vegetation communities and searched a ~25-m
buffer. We estimated that there was a total of 56 American coots (Fulica americana), 193 least
bitterns (Ixobrychus exilis), 28 soras (Porzana carolina), 38 gallinules (Gallinula galeata), and
169 unknown nests at Emiquon in 2014. We also estimated the densities of wetland birds to be
1.35 nests per hectare of hemi-marsh and 1.02 nests per hectare in persistent emergent which is
an overall increase from the 2013.
INFLUENCE OF CANOPY LIGHT PENETRATION ON PINK TURTLEHEAD
(CHELONE OBLIQUA) ABUNDANCE IN A FLOODPLAIN FOREST
Anthony Kloppenborg1 and Dr. Susan P. Romano1,2
1
Department of Biological Sciences, Western Illinois University-Quad Cities, Moline, Illinois,
2
Geography Department, Western Illinois University-Quad Cities, Moline, Illinois
The Pink Turtlehead (Chelone obliqua) is a perennial wildflower native to the Mississippi River
valley that is sporadically seen in Iowa. Recently this species has been found again in this area
after an extended period of absence. This species was found in a floodplain forest along the
Mississippi River in Bettendorf, Iowa in 2013 during a flora survey. The range of this plant
includes the central and southeastern United States, and throughout its range it is found under the
floodplain forest canopy along river banks, stream channels, and marshes. These types of
habitats indicate the importance of both light levels and the location of water bodies for the
health of this plant. The purpose of this study is to gain insight into why this plant, previously
thought to be extinct in this area, has reoccurred. Percent canopy cover above the population
clusters were measured with a densiometer, and percentage of light transmittance to the forest
floor was measured with a quantum sensor collected as mmol of photons/m2/sec. Chelone
obliqua was found to occur in clusters in areas of canopy cover and light penetration within the
broad range of 0 to 100 percent cover, and 2.91 to 40.76 percent light transmittance. Preliminary
analysis indicated that population clusters typically occurred within 2.91 to 13.63 or 22.09 to
25.39 percent light transmittance. These clusters were also found near water sources, which may
also provide a more consistent supply of water due to proximity. Possible reasons for
reoccurrence could be a change in forest canopy cover due to species changes and river flooding,
escape from cultivation, but also climate change shifting the edge of the distribution range
northward.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE GROWTH OF LARGEMOUTH BASS IN THE UPPER
ILLINOIS RIVER
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ABSTRACTS
Floodplain Restoration and Connection
(order: alphabetical by first author’s last name)
Cassidy Miles, Jason DeBoer, and Mark Fritts
Illinois River Biological Station, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute,
University of Illinois
Knowing how climate affects aquatic ecosystems is important for conservation and management
of fish populations. We can use annual growth increments from fish otoliths to understand
effects of environmental factors on individual fish growth. We collected Largemouth Bass
(LMB) Micropterus salmoides using pulsed-DC electrofishing in the Dresden Reach of the
Upper Illinois River during Spring 2014, assigned ages to each fish, and back-calculated lengthsat-age from otolith growth increments. We modeled incremental growth as a function of age and
several age-corrected environmental factors (e.g., river stage height, discharge, and weather).
Our environmental factors were auto-correlated, thus we only used a single environmental factor
in each model, and used AICc to rank our models. Length increased with age and appeared to
asymptote at age 6, whereas growth decreased with age. Age explained 77% of the variation in
growth; however, each of the models containing age and an age-corrected environmental factor
had a lower AICc than the age-only model. The two models containing maximum and minimum
stage height had a combined AICc weight of 0.96. The parameter estimates for stage height
were positive, indicating greater LMB growth occurred in years with greater stage height. We
postulate greater stage height could allow for: (1) reconnection to seasonally isolated backwaters,
which offer (a) greater access to energetically beneficial prey and (b) refugia from energetically
expensive river flows, (2) increased availability of and access to flooded terrestrial habitat, and
(3) inflow of floodplain nutrients into main-channel riverine habitats, which benefits LMB that
remain in the main channels.
LONG-TERM CHANGES IN THE FISH COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN RELATION
TO ASIAN CARP ESTABLISHMENT
Richard M. Pendleton, Levi E. Solomon, and Andrew F. Casper
Illinois River Biological Station, Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute,
University of Illinois
Introductions of non-native species have the potential to alter existing community structure
within aquatic habitats. Using data from the Long Term Resource Monitoring Program
(LTRMP), we assessed similarities in the fish community within the La Grange Reach of the
Illinois River before and after the establishment of Asian carp (Hypophthalmichthys spp.). Data
included mean annual species catch-per-unit effort (CPUE) of among several sampling gears
(day electrofishing, hoop nets (large and small), fyke nets, mini fyke nets, and trawling) and river
habitats (main channel border, side channel border, and backwaters). Data included CPUE from
fixed sites and random sites. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and analysis of
similarities (ANOSIM) were used to compare the pre- (1993-1999) and post-establishment
(2000-2012) fish communities among multiple gears in multiple habitats. Significant differences
between fish communities were observed for electrofishing (p = 0.016) and fyke netting (p =
0.001) in backwaters, electrofishing (p = 0.024) in side channel borders, and hoop netting (p =
0.003 and p = 0.031; large and small, respectively) in main channel borders. Several other gears
exhibited differences in the community pre- and post-establishment, but these were not
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ABSTRACTS
Floodplain Restoration and Connection
(order: alphabetical by first author’s last name)
statistically significant. Further analysis of percent similarities (SIMPER) indicated that white
bass, common carp, and freshwater drum were the primary reason for these differences, with all
three species being less abundant after to the establishment of Asian carp. Emerald shiners also
contributed to dissimilarity among communities with higher abundances observed postestablishment of Asian carp. These patterns indicate that Asian carp establishment may have
altered the fish community structure within the La Grange Reach of the Illinois River.
INVASIVE SPECIES PHASE ONE RISK ANALYSIS
William Pooler & William Herr
University of Southern Maine department of Geography / Anthropology & University of Illinois
Graduate school of Library and information Science
A use case implementing GIS (Geographical Information Systems) in combination with
Ecological data. The study Uses Geographic points gathered over the past fifty years by Maine
Aquatic Biodiversity project, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the Maine
Department of Environmental Protection and the University of Southern Maine. The compiled
data examines crayfish environment to identify potential invasive crayfish introduction points,
and to further predict areas at high risk of crayfish introduction Using GIS. A map of Maine was
created showing a visual representation of human and natural factors contributing to crayfish
introduction, e.g. access points, impediments, and favored environmental factors were used as
criteria to, show locations at risk of future introduction of invasive crayfish populations. These
high risk locations will be used for future studies of possible crayfish spread throughout
watersheds.
STATUS OF RESEARCH DATA POLICIES FROM FUNDING AGENCIES:
STATEMENTS ON ACCESS, ARCHIVES, AND SHARING
William Pooler & Dr Heidi Imker
University of Illinois Graduate school of Library and Information Science & Research Data
Service UIUC
We looked at the current policies surrounding the archiving and sharing of research data. These
changes showed a trend toward a more critical focus on proper data management planning and
attention to the lifecycle of the data, from creation through continual use of data after the funded
research has ended. In this examination, we focused on the funding policies to date, many of
which have been updated this year, prompted in part by the introduction of the OSTP Access
Memorandum. In the academic librarian’s / curator’s world, it is important to stay abreast of
these changes and understand how these changes may affect the requirements of sharing and
archiving research data.
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF PRIORITY INVASIVE SPECIES: COORDINATED
CONTROL THROUGH THE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS INVASIVE SPECIES STRIKE
TEAM
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ABSTRACTS
Floodplain Restoration and Connection
(order: alphabetical by first author’s last name)
Nicholas Seaton, Caleb Grantham, Tharran Hobson
The Nature Conservancy in Illinois
The Nature Conservancy, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the River to River
Cooperative Weed Management Area, and the USDA Forest Service Northeast Area State and
Private Forestry Program developed the Southern Illinois Invasive Species Strike Team (ISST).
ISST deploys a highly trained, mobile force of two plant management specialists who assist with
the mapping, monitoring, and controlling of invasive exotic plant species at state dedicated
nature preserves, state parks, and adjacent private lands that serve as pathways onto these
properties. Once a risk has been identified, ISST also serves as a Rapid Response Team.
Applying the Early Detection & Rapid Response (EDRR) approach to invasive species
management greatly improves the likelihood that invasions will be addressed successfully while
populations are still localized and containable.
RESULTS FROM THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF AN OSPREY RECOVERY PROJECT
IN ILLINOIS
April Simnor1, Tih-Fen Ting1, and Patrick McDonald2
1
Department of Environmental Studies, University of Illinois at Springfield, Springfield, IL,
62703, 2Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL, 62703.
The osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is an Illinois state-endangered raptor. As of 2013, we have been
hacking ospreys as part of a long-term recovery project to establish a self-sustaining breeding
population in Illinois. We have completed our second year of the recovery project and have
cumulatively hacked 15 juvenile ospreys at two hack sites: one at Anderson Lake State Fish and
Wildlife Area (Anderson Lake) in Fulton County and the other at Lake Shelbyville Fish and
Wildlife Management Area (Lake Shelbyville) in Moultrie County. Birds between four to six
weeks old were translocated from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, and placed in an enclosure
called a hack box at each release site. The birds remained in the hack box until they were capable
of flight. On average, the birds fledged at 59 days old (range: 48-70 days old). After they
fledged, we continued to monitor their movements and behaviors daily. Birds would stay near
the hack site for 29 days on average (range: 3-53 days). In the first year, we used VHF telemetry
to track their movements. In the second year, two birds were fitted with solar Argos/PTTs and
the rest were monitored via visual sightings. Using 95% kernel density estimates, the size of
core-use areas for juvenile ospreys averaged 81.65 ha at Anderson Lake and 834.24 ha at Lake
Shelbyville.
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY’S EMIQUON PRESERVE: AQUATIC VEGETATION
AND FISH COMMUNITY MONITORING, 2007-2014
Todd D. VanMiddlesworth, and Andrew F. Casper
The Illinois Natural History Survey’s Illinois River Biological Station, Havana, Illinois
The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC) Emiquon Preserve consists of two historic floodplain lakes
known as Thompson and Flag lakes. The Illinois Natural History Survey’s (INHS) Illinois River
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ABSTRACTS
Floodplain Restoration and Connection
(order: alphabetical by first author’s last name)
Biological Station (IRBS) has conducted aquatic vegetation and fish community monitoring to
collect data and evaluate conservation goals for TNC known as Key Ecological Attributes
(KEA). KEA’s serve as restoration success criteria and as the driving management tool at the
Emiquon Preserve. The restored floodplain sustains a diverse (11 species) and abundant native
submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) community that is otherwise difficult to find within the
Illinois River Valley today. As the diversity and plant density increased since restoration, so has
the species richness and biomass of native fishes. Native aquatic vegetation and fish species
remained dominant in our collections while non-native species were present during 2014. Nonnative aquatic vegetation and fish species will continue to be monitored closely. The INHS/IRBS
will continue to monitor the aquatic vegetation and fish communities at TNC’s Emiquon
Preserve to evaluate KEA’s and conduct additional research. The knowledge gained from the
data collected will continually serve useful for floodplain restoration mangers.
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