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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population centers and agricultural areas (Bestgen 1990). It is
hypothesized that the loss of flooded bottomlands is one factor
has adversely affected the food base required by larval
endangered fishes. The lack of recruitment of the endangered
Colorado River fishes is believed to be linked to predation by
nonnative fishes and starvation. Habitat enhancement of the
bottomland habitat site described in this conceptual management
plan will help to restore needed food resources that should
result in better survival of larval and juvenile endangered
fishes. Recovery of the endangered fishes will occur only if
sufficient recruitment occurs to maintain self-sustaining
populations.
IV. PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
The recommended
' and management
Phasing has an
razorback sucke
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approach to razorback sucker habitat enhancement
on the Preserve recovery is to phase development.
advantage in the enhancement and management of
r habitat because:
gaps exist in our knowledge of razorback sucker habitat
requirements, as well as, how razorback suckers would
use the Preserve habitats. Phasing will allow
collection of data to improve further development, and
low numbers of razorback suckers are available for
recovery effort experimentation.
Phasing can provide an opportunity to experiment with the
relationship between razorback suckers and natural habitat in a
controlled or partially controlled environment. Lessons learned
from testing different management techniques on a small scale can
be applied to similar flooded bottomland sites elsewhere and to a
long range plan for the Preserve. Phasing provides flexibility
for implementing the razorback sucker recovery plan based on new
findings. Phasing also allows project costs to be spread over a
longer period of time.
A. DESCRIPTION
The following describes a proposed broad-based phased approach to
development and management of habitat within the Preserve for
razorback suckers. Bonytail chubs could also be considered for
inclusion in the Preserve's endangered fish habitat management
goals. The plan is proposed to be included as part of the
overall development and management of the Preserve. As work and
studies progress in the phased approach, results can be
incorporated into an adaptive management program.
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