Southeastern Crayfishes: Conservation, Natural History, and Ecology Symposium

Symposium organizers:

• Zachary J. Loughman, West Liberty State College, Campus Service Center Box 139, West Liberty WV
• Thomas P. Simon, Bloomington, IN
• Stuart Welsh, U.S. Geological Survey, West Virginia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV

A symposium on the natural history, conservation, and ecology of crayfishes of the Southeastern United States will be held in association with the 2008 Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society Spring meeting (February 28 – March 2).   Given that this region harbors the most diverse crayfish fauna in the world, and many of these species are currently under various threats, this symposium is rather timely in disseminating information on life and natural history, conservation, and ecology of crayfishes in the Southeastern region. Emphasis will be placed on natural history, life history, autecology and conservation biology projects within the Southeast, Mid Atlantic and Ozarks.

Demonstration of GIS and Spatial Analysis in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

Symposium organizers:

• William L. Fisher, U. S. Geological Survey, Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
• Michael Strager, Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV

Geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial analysis (SA) have become important tools used by fisheries and aquatic scientists and managers to understand relationships between aquatic biota, their habitats and people.  We propose a demonstration-style symposium/workshop during which presenters will provide actual demonstrations of GIS operations and spatial analysis of watershed hydrology, habitat restoration, and fisheries management.  Each demonstration will be conducted by the presenter using GIS or SA software and geospatial datasets.  The audience will be encouraged to interactively participate in each presenter’s demonstration by participating in “what if” scenarios.  We hope this approach will inform the audience about how to use specific GIS and SA tools and operations and the problem-solving and planning capabilities of this technology.

Brook Trout Restoration Symposium

Symposium organizers:

• Todd Petty, Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
• Malcolm Crittenden, DEP Watershed Manager, 286 Industrial Park, Ebensburg, PA
• Gary Smith, Habitat Biologist, Division of Habitat Management, PA Fish & Boat Commission, 236 Lake Road, Somerset, PA

The majority of surviving native brook trout populations in the Mid-Atlantic states (PA, MD, WV, VA) are found in first and second order headwater streams. These headwaters are typically affected by low-alkalinity geology, acid precipitation, low productivity, extensive logging, coal mining, and increasing levels of development. Major threats to the region’s wild brook trout populations are poor land use practices, sedimentation, elevated water temperatures, presence of non-native species, acid precipitation, and acid mine drainage. The objective of this symposium will be to explore the current state-of-the-science of brook trout conservation in the central and southern Appalachian region and identify pathways for progress over the next decade.