Prioritizing aquatic conservation areas using spatial patterns and partitioning of fish community diversity in a near‐natural temperate basin

摘要: This study investigated spatial patterns and partitioning of fish community diversity in the Emory River basin, Tennessee, USA, which represents best available biotic condition a region characterized with high endemism. Fish analyses were intended as one criterion for identifying aquatic conservation areas Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) currently developed under authority US Endangered Species Act. Spatial examined at 57 stream sites located mainstem (13 sites) four sub-basins (a total 44 by γ (total diversity) into α (within-community) β (among-community) components multiplicative manner two scales. Additional conducted to assess evidence dispersal structuring local communities. Mainstem higher values relative sub-basin sites, 13 was comparable that sites. Site-level differed among sub-basins. Among-sub-basin only modest, harboured majority species richness found all sub-basins. Many had indicator but associated few species. Spatial autcorrelation similarity significant within Catchment area explained among-site variation better than order, link magnitude, confluence or downstream link. Overall, there lack played an important role shaping communities either sites. Aquatic basin should focus on protecting habitat, while network most diverse may also be considered areas. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.