Threatened Ozark Cavefish Population Declines

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Threatened Ozark Cavefish Population Declines

Postby Cheryl Jones » Feb 24, 2006 6:36 pm

Latest Cavefish Count

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The latest count of Ozark cavefish in Cave Springs shows a decline to 123 from the 2004 count that showed 150 of the threatened fish. Researchers say there were plenty of young and that the lesser number is not cause for concern.

Four researchers conducted the count on Feb. 7 at the northwest Arkansas cave. The fish are counted every two years to minimize disruption to the very limited habitat.

Six years ago, the count revealed 160 fish. Researchers say the population fluctuations are to be expected, but a count of 60 or fewer of the fish would be a trouble sign.

Researchers found a greater than normal amount of red clay or silt inside the cave but did not link the silt to the lower count.
http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=24186

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Last edited by Cheryl Jones on Feb 24, 2006 6:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Editorial on the "pesky" Cavefish.....

Postby Cheryl Jones » Feb 24, 2006 6:41 pm

Cave Fish Concerns Come Up Again
The Morning News
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2006/ ... torial.txt

Let us preface our comments on the Ozark cave fish by noting we believe in being environmentally correct. Your paper is printed on newsprint containing recycled fibers and we use a soy-based ink.

We recycle, conserve water and believe green space is a good thing.

We want to save the whale, the rain forests and the Alaska wilderness. And we think it is just dandy that the ivory-billed woodpecker has been found in east Arkansas where they need something to think about other than mosquitos.

However, we admit our commitment to environmental responsibility gets strained when the subject of the Ozark cave fish comes up. That little devil costs taxpayers millions of dollars every time a major infrastructure project is undertaken. Cave fish forced rerouting of Interstate 540. The proposed U.S. 412 bypass around Springdale had to be planned with the cave fish in mind. And the pesky little guy reared his head when the regional airport was being developed.

For those new to the region, here's a refresher course. The Ozark cave fish is two to three inches long, blind, only lives in caves and is listed as a "threatened" species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. One of its few remaining habitats is the Cave Springs Cave in the Cave Springs Recharge Area. As luck would have it, the recharge area is 16 square miles located in one of the fastest developing areas of the country.

Researchers recently counted 123 of the fish locally, down from a historic high of 160. The researchers are concerned about this decrease.

They are also concerned about high levels of red silt found in the cave. Again, they don't know the cause for the higher silt levels. They don't know if the lower number of fish and the silt levels are connected and they won't say if they think development in the area is the cause.

Here's the question we would really like answered: Does the species' dwindling numbers have less to do with encroaching urbanization and more to do with the fact these creatures are blind and live in a cave? Maybe it's not development killing them off. Maybe it's Darwin.
On some level, it's easy to wonder if saving the cave fish is worth all this trouble. But ultimately, the loss of any species diminishes the world in some way. That means that for as long as the Ozark cave fish is around, we have the responsibility to find a way to protect it.
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Re: Editorial on the "pesky" Cavefish.....

Postby Teresa » Feb 24, 2006 11:00 pm

Cheryl Jones wrote:Cave Fish Concerns Come Up Again
The Morning News
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2006/ ... torial.txt


We want to save the whale, the rain forests and the Alaska wilderness. And we think it is just dandy that the ivory-billed woodpecker has been found in east Arkansas where they need something to think about other than mosquitos.

However, we admit our commitment to environmental responsibility gets strained when the subject of the Ozark cave fish comes up. That little devil costs taxpayers millions of dollars every time a major infrastructure project is undertaken. Cave fish forced rerouting of Interstate 540. The proposed U.S. 412 bypass around Springdale had to be planned with the cave fish in mind. And the pesky little guy reared his head when the ]regional airport was being developed.


Spoken like true Ozarkers. Yep. People go to SW MO and NW AR for the quiet, the pristine outdoors and the unique culture, and what happens? Eureka Springs and Branson.


For those new to the region, here's a refresher course. The Ozark cave fish is two to three inches long, blind, only lives in caves and is listed as a "threatened" species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. One of its few remaining habitats is the Cave Springs Cave in the Cave Springs Recharge Area. As luck would have it, the recharge area is 16 square miles located in one of the fastest developing areas of the country.


The should have said one of regions of the country where greed trumps common sense.
They are also concerned about high levels of red silt found in the cave. Again, they don't know the cause for the higher silt levels. They don't know if the lower number of fish and the silt levels are connected and they won't say if they think development in the area is the cause.


Who won't say? Rather, it is a case of who won't listen? When the Ozarks become just like suburbia, the gravy train ends. Amazing that the developers don't understand this.

Here's the question we would really like answered: Does the species' dwindling numbers have less to do with encroaching urbanization and more to do with the fact these creatures are blind and live in a cave?


Being in the dark and blind didn't seem to affect them until septic tanks in great numbers got there. Sewage, and bad water related to human development is more likely the cause. Perhaps the author should visit Fantastic Caverns near Springfield, MO. They know what's the matter with cavefish, and they tell the hundred thousand or so tourists who pass by every year what it is.

Maybe it's not development killing them off. Maybe it's Darwin.
On some level, it's easy to wonder if saving the cave fish is worth all this trouble. But ultimately, the loss of any species diminishes the world in some way. That means that for as long as the Ozark cave fish is around, we have the responsibility to find a way to protect it.



Well, at least there is redeeming finish to the story...
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Postby JD » Feb 27, 2006 3:27 pm

Maybe Darwin is killing them?

This is totally asinine. Make fun of a species, attack preservation efforts while saying you are for them, and take a swipe at evolution all at once. Enlightened writers and thinkers, no?
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Postby cob » Feb 27, 2006 8:23 pm

JD wrote:Maybe Darwin is killing them?

This is totally asinine. Make fun of a species, attack preservation efforts while saying you are for them, and take a swipe at evolution all at once. Enlightened writers and thinkers, no?


It is a well known technique of writing: Get people going along with you, agreeing with everything you say, and then take them some place they never thought the article would go. A place they have a hard time getting out of (back to there own preconceived notions and comfort zones) Believe me, that is exactly the mind set of a whole lot of people down here in Ozarkistan. And if you do not ackowledge their point of view... They will not acknowledge yours.

I liked it. A few things could have been done better, but then I don't work under a dead line.

Whatever else, it was not asinine.

tom
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Postby gillip » Apr 20, 2007 7:43 pm

I have done research on caves in Arkansas containing Amblyopsis rosae. My focus was on land use impact on water quality and speleogenesis. I definately agree with the need to protect these delicate cave ecosystems. I also agree that surface activity can have a huge impact on caves. At the same time I can sympathize with the residents who feel that this fish is a pain. Part of this comes from those seeking to protect the fish. On a recent municipal project, environmentaly minded people and organizations demanded that a new sewer line be poly-wrapped. This added significant cost to the project, but more importantly it does nothing to protect the cavefish. Poly-wrapping is used to prevent corrosion on metalic pipes(ductile iron pipe, cast iron in the past). It is not to prevent leakage. It does nothing for PVC pipes. The sewer line is bedded on gravel. When the pipe is burried, the gravel pokes holes in the poly-wrap. Any rocks in the fill (which is a certain thing in NWA) further damage the poly wrap. A lot of money was lost and nothing was gained.
The public needs to be educated. But the environmental activists (no negativity intended here) also need to be educated. What qualification does a biologist have to tell an engineer how to build a sewer line?
As environmentally minded citizens or environmental scientist we can identify the real threats and give our insight into what may cause these threats and work with the developer or regulators. Using a more diplomatic approach will likely be more effectve.
As for the biologic survey, one survey or two for that matter, is not hard evidence that the population is in decline. I looked at aome data from Cave Springs Cave reported in the report "Status of Aquatic Cave Fauna in Arkansas Caves". Theese data incate that the historic high for Cave Springs Cave was in 1999 with 166 A. rosae counted. This was after a count fo 153 in 1995 and 106 in 1998. The high of 166 was followed 102 in 2000. I don't have any data between 2000 and 2004 at hand, but the variability in recent surveys doesn't seem to prove a trend, which may serve as an indicator. A trend was shown in data from 1981 (97), 1982 (101), 1985 (122), 1989 (139) and then 1995 (153). I don't know enough on the details of the recent surveys to explanin the high variability, but there could be a number of causes.
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