Status Revision and Update for Illinois Fish Species in Greatest Need of Conservation

The Illinois Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan and Strategy, also known as the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan (WAP, IDNR 2005) was designed to promote the preservation or enhancement of wildlife populations and associated habitats. Furthermore, it provides a framework for development of science-based actions and management procedures for achieving conservation objectives. Critical to achieving these priorities is identification and thorough evaluation of Species in Greatest Need of Conservation (SGNC), or those species with a perilous ecological status based on eight criteria ranging from abundance to habitat requirements. Initial selection and characterization of fish SGNC was based on three sources containing data through 1999 (INHS collection records) or 2004 (IDNR FAS and BIOTICS databases) and the opinions of a small number of experts. As periodic revisions to the SGNC are expected to occur every two to five years, a reevaluation of fish species using updated and additional data sources is appropriate. Reevaluation also provides an opportunity to incorporate additional data sources and to employ the expertise of a larger body of fisheries professionals. Accordingly, the primary goal of this study is to reconstruct tables containing SGNC evaluations using additional and newly available information. Appendix I of the WAP contains a status summary of SGNC under eight criteria related to distribution, abundance and habitat requirements, along with a description of the primary habitat utilized by each species. For this reevaluation, seven fisheries databases were used to assess distribution and abundance of all fish SGNC and analyze temporal patterns in those assessments. Outputs of distribution and abundance analyses were used to determine species status under criterion 3 of Appendix I (rare or significantly declined in abundance or distribution from historic levels). The remaining criteria and habitat associations were assessed using a combination of consensus from 31 fisheries experts and an examination of pertinent literature. As part of the distribution analysis, statewide maps with temporally denoted collection record locations were developed for each species. Appendix II of the WAP includes a list of stresses believed to impact distribution and abundance of SGNC and an evaluation of population size with trend assessments. Stresses were reevaluated through consensus of fisheries experts and examination of literature. Population size and trends were reevaluated by summarizing distribution and abundance analyses. Results of this study will serve as draft updates of Appendix I and II for fish SGNC, with the ultimate goal of incorporating these reevaluations into the 2015 mandated WAP update. Revised distribution maps of all SGNC are also included with this report. The Illinois Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan and Strategy, also known as the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan (WAP, IDNR 2005) was designed to promote the preservation or enhancement of wildlife populations and associated habitats. Furthermore, it provides a framework for development of science-based actions and management procedures for achieving conservation objectives. Critical to achieving these priorities is identification and thorough evaluation of Species in Greatest Need of Conservation (SGNC), or those species with a perilous ecological status based on eight criteria ranging from abundance to habitat requirements. Initial selection and characterization of fish SGNC was based on three sources containing data through 1999 (INHS collection records) or 2004 (IDNR FAS and BIOTICS databases) and the opinions of a small number of experts. As periodic revisions to the SGNC are expected to occur every two to five years, a reevaluation of fish species using updated and additional data sources is appropriate. Reevaluation also provides an opportunity to incorporate additional data sources and to employ the expertise of a larger body of fisheries professionals. Accordingly, the primary goal of this study is to reconstruct tables containing SGNC evaluations using additional and newly available information. Appendix I of the WAP contains a status summary of SGNC under eight criteria related to distribution, abundance and habitat requirements, along with a description of the primary habitat utilized by each species. For this reevaluation, seven fisheries databases were used to assess distribution and abundance of all fish SGNC and analyze temporal patterns in those assessments. Outputs of distribution and abundance analyses were used to determine species status under criterion 3 of Appendix I (rare or significantly declined in abundance or distribution from historic levels). The remaining criteria and habitat associations were assessed using a combination of consensus from 31 fisheries experts and an examination of pertinent literature. As part of the distribution analysis, statewide maps with temporally denoted collection record locations were developed for each species. Appendix II of the WAP includes a list of stresses believed to impact distribution and abundance of SGNC and an evaluation of population size with trend assessments. Stresses were reevaluated through consensus of fisheries experts and examination of literature. Population size and trends were reevaluated by summarizing distribution and abundance analyses. Results of this study will serve as draft updates of Appendix I and II for fish SGNC, with the ultimate goal of incorporating these reevaluations into the 2015 mandated WAP update. Revised distribution maps of all SGNC are also included with this report.