Geographic Information Systems in Fisheries

Chapter 3: Geographic Information Systems Applications in Stream and River Fisheries

William L. Fisher and Frank J. Rahel

doi: https://doi.org/10.47886/9781888569575.ch3

Streams and rivers are linear habitat features on the landscape that are inherently difficult to study (Fausch et al. 2002). However, streams drain watersheds, and watersheds provide a convenient geographic unit for monitoring and managing the impacts of land-use activities on stream fish habitat and populations. This characterization of stream systems as lines (streams) within polygons (watersheds) illustrates their nested character, the spatial interconnectedness of the aquatic and terrestrial systems, and the potential utility of geographic information systems (GIS) for studying and managing stream ecosystems.

Geographic information applications in stream and river fisheries are increasing in number and complexity. The most common applications are mapping and modeling habitats and fish distributions, mapping watershed land uses and modeling their impacts on habitats and fish populations, and predicting the effects of environmental changes on the temporal and spatial distributions of fishes (Giles and Nielsen 1992; Isaak and Hubert 1997; Fisher and Toepfer 1998). In this chapter, we first describe GIS techniques and the challenges of using them in streams and rivers. We then summarize recent applications of GIS in fisheries science in streams and rivers. We conclude by discussing the current state-of-the-art and potential applications of GIS for riverine fish and fisheries management.