SESSION C:

Title: Minnow Species Diversity in Northern Maine Woodland Lakes -
Potential Effects of Proposed Large-Scale Human Development

Author: David B. Halliwell¹, Thomas R. Whittier², and Peter H. Vaux^3
1Maine Department of Environmental Protection, SHS #17, Augusta, ME. 207-287-7649. david.halliwell@maine.gov.
²Oregon State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Corvallis, Oregon
³Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Environmental & Watershed Research, University of Maine, Orono, ME

Abstract:
Past biomonitoring studies show that lakes in northern Maine support a diverse assemblage of native minnow species - richer than southern Maine, other New England states, and the Adirondack Mountain region of New York. This high native minnow diversity in northern Maine lakes, due in part to zoogeographic factors, is also associated with the relative absence of human development and related land disturbance. Historical commercial forest management practices have apparently provided suitable riparian buffers that served to protect lake shorelines, while maintaining excellent littoral fish habitat. Abundant large woody debris provides overhead/in-lake cover from mammalian and avian predators, while minnow populations appear to be in excellent condition. Non-native fish predators/competitors (e.g., smallmouth and largemouth bass, black crappie, and white perch) - common to developed lakes elsewhere in the northeast - are not generally found in these relatively undeveloped northern Maine woodland lakes. Effective future conservation planning for potential large scale human development in the north Maine woods should: (1) recognize the intrinsic value of this unique freshwater fish assemblage - ecosystem and (2) ensure provisions to maintain existing valuable lake shoreline fish habitat conditions. Shoreline land-use regulations may need revision to adequately protect and sustain these valuable aquatic ecosystems.