Factors associated with distributions of six fishes of greatest conservation need in streams in midwestern USA

Abstract Many fish species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) in Iowa and Minnesota, USA, have been decline for decades. A key reason the is alteration degradation naturally flowing streams owing to land use changes resulting from agricultural practices. Populations several fishes adversely affected by widespread stream channelization that has resulted more homogeneous habitats throughout Minnesota. The goal this study was determine abiotic assemblage characteristics associated with presence these rare fishes. Electrofishing seining were used sample assemblages 43 measured at 111 sites North Raccoon Boone River basins central Rock Beaver Creek north‐west south‐west Minnesota during 2016 2017. Six SGCN, including federally endangered Topeka shiner ( Notropis topeka ), included statistical modelling habitat their presence. Species‐specific nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordinations indicated often differed between where SGCN present absent. Random forest logistic regression models suggested four six positively richness, whereas all other 10 important variables unique only one or two SGCN. shiners 36% orangespotted sunfish Lepomis humilis ) catch per unit effort while being negatively canopy cover fantail darter Etheostoma flabellare effort.