7797

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7797
• Author: Collins, K.
• Title: Conceptual Management Plan for Razorback Sucker Habitat Enhancement in Flooded Bottomlands Scott M. Matheson Wetland Preserve Moab, Utah.
• USFW Year: 1994.
• Copyright Material: NO

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The necessity of controlling water levels is apparent after
almost a year with little or no outflow from the wetlands.
The ability to control water levels is vital in addressing
the issues of razorback sucker habitat quality, non-native
fish control, mosquito habitat, and flooding of adjacent
lands and visitor facilities. Future water control
structures will have to include a design to exclude beavers
or minimize the effects of beavers on the outlet function.
Beaver populations will remain on the Preserve. However,
population densities of beavers may be regulated.
Conclusion: It is important to continue water management
experiments in order to understand the impacts of various
scenarios on the wetlands and flooded bottomlands.
D. WILDLIFE
A variety of wildlife species utilize habitat within the
Preserve. Wildlife species within the Preserve include residents
and transients. Some species may use the Preserve seasonally or
only periodically, depending on the habitats available within the
Preserve. The following is a description of wildlife occurring
within the Preserve.
1. Invertebrates
Two studies conducted in 1993 indicate that the Preserve
wetlands are characterized by high invertebrate production.
Cooper (1994) characterized the invertebrate community
concentrating on the availability of forage for endangered
fish. Kingsley (1993, included in Appendix D) characterized
the mosquito population and habitats found in the Preserve.
Both studies are summarized below:
(a) Forage for Razorback Sucker
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Chironomids and Crustaceans, Cladocera and Copepoda,
are important food for larval and juvenile fish
(Grabowski and Hiebert 1989, Marsh and Langhorst 1988).
Cooper (1994) emphasized these taxa in his study of the
Preserve, but also included categories for other
invertebrates. Cooper found, as expected, that the
riverine environment is not as productive as the
wetlands. Cladocera and Copepoda are abundant in the
Preserve wetlands, with low numbers in the riverine
communities. Chironomids occur as benthic organisms in
wetlands and riverine communities. Chironomids
represent the largest percentage of riverine organisms.
Among the sampling stations, the north pond had the
highest invertebrate production, probably because of
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