| dc.description.abstract | Shifting baseline syndrome (SBS) can be defined by two criteria: (1) biological change must be
present in the system and (2) any perceived changes must be consistent with the biological data.
Within the Upper Trinity basin (6-digit Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) – 120301), studies indicate
biological change has been occurring within north central Texas stream systems for many years
due to historical agricultural landuses and subsequent urbanization; however, consistent biological
data is absent in many of these waterbodies (as identified in two well-developed, statewide aquatic
life databases) to definitively support perceived changes on a basin-wide scale. Fish and mussel
assemblages are variable between streams; therefore, true SBS status must be evaluated on a
stream by stream basis to draw conclusions on the status of SBS in the overall Upper Trinity basin.
In an effort to close these “data gaps” (incomplete or absent biological data) in the Fishes of Texas
(FoTX) and Mussels of Texas (MoTX) databases with the overall goal of preventing SBS in the
future within the Upper Trinity basin, this scientific collection study intends to provide welldocumented
accounts of fish and mussels species at several mid-sized streams in north central
Texas. Results indicate that collected fish and mussel occurrence data (in the form of color
photographs (mussels) and donated voucher specimens (fishes)) may provide new baseline
conditions for sampled streams. Additionally, all collected data assisted in the development of the
FoTX and MoTX databases and can be used by a variety of aquatic biologists from academia,
agencies, and commercial firms. | en |
