This book examines the application of fish community characteristics to evaluate the sustainability and biological integrity of freshwaters. Topics include perspectives on use of fish communities as environmental indicators in program development, collaboration, and partnership forming; influence of specific taxa on assessment of the IBI; regional applications for areas where the IBI had not previously been developed; and specific applications of the IBI developed for coldwater streams, inland lakes, Great Lakes, reservoirs, and tailwaters.

Detailed report of a 30-year study of the water quality of the Wabash River.

Dramatic changes have occurred in the functioning of larger rivers because of social values and policies, land use, inchannel causes, and alien species. These changes have resulted in the reduction in range and abundance of many native fish species. This book describes the historical changes observed in the fish assemblages of 27 large rivers in North, Central, and South America. A synthesizing chapter highlights common and distinct patterns among the rivers and their stressors. The book focuses on entire fish assemblages, including the many species that do not enter fisheries. It will be of interest to both fishery biologists and aquatic ecologists who are concerned with the status and trends in biodiversity and biointegrity. Contains historical information as well as new research and monitoring results, including research on metapopulations, genetics, and life history strategies.